Kevin Phillips’ Championship GW40 Predictions and Tips

Wilson Isidor Haiti World Cup

I think for any player to go to a World Cup, no matter what country you play for, is the biggest honour that you could have as a professional footballer representing your country in the biggest tournament in the world on the biggest stage.

So, from where he’s been to where he is now, coming from where he is to playing in the Championship, then to be playing in the Premier League now, to potentially playing in a World Cup for his country, it’d be a massive boost to his confidence.

It’s been tough for him lately in the league because he hasn’t played as many minutes as he would like, but away from that, being able to represent his country is a huge bonus for him and a great bonus for Sunderland as well, because it will give him massive confidence. So, yes, brilliant if he gets the call-up.

Enzo Le Fée 50th Appearance

Well, he’s clearly brought quality to the team. That’s why Sunderland spent a lot of money on him. I think there were a few people surprised that he came to Sunderland when he did for the fee that he went for. It’s a big coup for Sunderland, and he settled in really quickly.

He’s got great ability, good qualities, and he’s been a massive part of Sunderland’s success since he’s been at the football club. So how far can that take him? Who knows? He’s performing on the biggest stage in the world in the Premier League. The next big jump for him now is whether he can be recognised internationally and make that big jump. So if he keeps performing the way he is, then he’s got every chance of doing that.

He still knows he needs to improve; we all know that, but he’s still fairly young. He’s a quality player, and he certainly can reach the very top for sure.

Automatic Promotion Race

It’s a cracking game, isn’t it? This stage of the season over the bank holiday weekend. This is the time when players have to stand up. I’ve been in this situation before. Two very, very good teams who have had an outstanding season. It’s going to be a tight, tight game. You just hope it doesn’t turn into a boring game because they’ll be nervous not giving anything away.

I don’t see much in the game. I think it will be very, very tight. Of course, from Millwall’s point of view, what a season they’ve had. Potentially, if they win it, they jump above Middlesbrough into second place. Which would be incredible at this stage of the season. From Borough’s point of view, they’re at home in front of their fans, they need a big performance. So, for me, it’s going to be a cracking game, a cracking atmosphere and one that I’m sure the fans are really looking forward to.

Ipswich’s Ideal Result

Looking at it, I would have to say a draw. You don’t want any of them winning, really, considering where Ipswich are and how close they are behind them. They’ll be watching eagerly, but they’ll concentrate on their own back garden and what they can do. And if one of these teams slips up, then they’re going to try to chase.

But I think if I were Kieran McKenna, I’d want a draw and then hopefully win your game. You can jump above certainly Millwall, so it’s going to be a real tight game, but I think Ipswich would love a draw for sure.

Alfie Devine Future

I think from Spurs’ point of view, I’d be very surprised if they didn’t recall him. Clearly, there’s going to be a new manager in charge, and generally, when new managers come in, they want to have a look at everyone. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets recalled at the end of the season, so he spends part of pre-season back at Spurs for the new manager.

But he’s been a big player for Preston this season. He’s played virtually every game, scored eight goals, and he’s still a very, very young lad, so he’s got a lot of talent. So, as I say, I think he’ll probably go back. If Preston could sign him, I’m pretty sure they’ll make an offer.

But I just think from Spurs’ point of view, they’ll probably have a look at him first in pre-season, and then they’ll make a decision. But if Preston can get him, of course, it’d be a great signing for them to hopefully push for a playoff spot next season.

Ruairi McConville Potential

He’s a good player, isn’t he? Let’s not forget he’s still very young, but to be a first-choice starter at Norwich and at international level alongside the likes of Trai Hume, who’s playing in the Premier League pretty much week in and week out, speaks volumes about the player.

He’s an athlete, he stands at six foot four, he’s got a bit of everything, and he’s young, and he’s still developing. So to be playing week in and week out at his age is a testament to him, and it just shows you how highly Norwich thinks of him. He’s 20 years old, he’s made 32 appearances, and when the praise is coming from your peers, like Trai, the biggest thing for a professional footballer when your peers give you praise, that’s the biggest thing that you can get.

I’ve been extremely impressed with him, and hopefully, if they keep hold of him for next season, nobody comes sniffing then, I think Norwich will certainly challenge for promotion next year for sure.

Jakirovic Performance Under Embargo

Any manager that has to work under those conditions knows it is very, very challenging, and what the manager’s done there, the new gaffer coming in, taking over at a time where they had to remould the squad, has to juggle it and try and get the best out of what he’s got.

Jakirovic has done that brilliantly, and for them to be sitting inside the playoffs at this stage of the season is quite remarkable, really. We know how big a football club Hull is, so the job he’s done is outstanding. If he can continue to keep them in those play-offs, they’re going to be a threat in the play-offs for sure because of where they’ve come from. They’ll probably be the underdogs going into the game, so that suits them.

He’s done a fantastic job, and as I say, the biggest thing is to do it under an embargo, which is a credit to him and the football club.

Chris Davies Pressure

I’ve spoken about this before. The expectation at Birmingham is huge after the new owners have come in. Getting promoted, the money they’ve spent, I think they fully expected them to be challenging at the top of the league, and it hasn’t happened.

So, the manager has come in for a bit of criticism, but I don’t like to criticise him because he’s done a fabulous job there with the spotlight being on Birmingham. He got promoted, and it’s always going to be tough the first season in the Championship.

If it were me personally, I would look to probably give him another opportunity next season. But I just fear that the owners, with the pressure, with the money they spent, might act. Well, I hope they don’t, but he’s got pedigree. They’re not a million miles away. Probably one or two adjustments, one or two additions in the summer, and I think they’ll be challenging. So I’d like to see him stay in charge, for sure.

Eiran Cashin Future

I think he’s found it tough; he goes to Brighton for around £9million and he signs a five-and-a-half-year deal. Clearly, Brighton are no mugs; they do their research, they know players, and they’ve had some fantastic players. He played a lot of games for Derby, but it hasn’t quite worked out.

Sometimes you need to go on loan and try to rediscover that form. Since January, he’s made 12 appearances, so he’s playing regularly. And if he can rediscover that form, Brighton wouldn’t have put him on a five-and-a-half-year deal if they didn’t think there was a player there. So I think he potentially has a future there, but he might be one of those players that just needs to maybe stay on loan again for another season and rebuild his confidence and get back to where he was. So it’s tough.

He’s a good player, but let’s not forget he’s still only 24 years of age, so he’s got plenty of time in front of him. So I think if Brighton were to move him on, I think they may have acted a little bit too swiftly, if I’m being honest.

Wrexham Playoff Push

What advice could you give Wrexham? What they’ve done over the last four or five years has been outstanding, you can’t criticise anything, you can’t pick fault with it. To be fair, they’re only outside the playoffs on goal difference and because Southampton have gone on a winning run.

But it’s been an amazing season for Wrexham. It really wouldn’t surprise me if they snuck into those play-offs and really surprised people. So I don’t think they need to panic. I think in the summer, Phil on the board and the owners will look at it. I’m sure there’ll be funds made available, whichever way. I think they’ll challenge again next season. So I don’t think it’s time to panic. I think they’re in a really good position.

Of course, this weekend they go to West Brom, who, under James Morrison, have really turned it around there. He’s done a fantastic job. So it’ll be a tough game, but Wrexham have shown this season that they can go to places like West Brom and win. So at the minute, I think they’re out of the play-offs on goal difference, but they’re certainly capable of making those play-offs for sure.

Patrick Agyemang to Leeds Rumours

I think that type of money nowadays for a player like him is probably standard fee, isn’t it, £15-20 million. He’s done brilliantly, he’s had a fantastic season, he’s really put himself on the map, so he’s got talent.

To be linked with clubs higher than the division he’s playing just shows you what type of player he is. People are taking notice, but from his point of view, he just needs to keep doing what he’s doing and eventually, probably that move will come.

So £20 million sounds like a lot of money, doesn’t it? But nowadays it’s not. So, probably for me, he would be worth that type of money for sure for Leeds or whoever else is interested.