Kevin Phillips’ Championship GW43 Predictions and Tips

Brian Brobbey Physicality

I would have to say so. I’ve watched him a fair few times this season. I’ve watched him on the TV and I’ve watched him live. I was at the game at the weekend. It’s just the way he is. It’s just the way he plays. He’s almost like that old-fashioned centre forward. He loves backing into defenders, gets his arms up, and he grabs the shirt and nowadays referees see that as a free kick or a foul.

He’s been excellent, he’s been outstanding for Sunderland. I’m not sitting here saying he should change his game but there’s probably times when he doesn’t need to fight the defenders as much because he’s strong enough to not need to do that. He has been a bit of a victim of his own success but I would never take that away from his game because he is that out ball and he’s been superb and he’s getting better in my opinion.

European Qualification Impact

There’s a big, big debate here in the North East. The lads were talking about it after the game at the weekend. It’s almost like a split feeling. Me personally, it would be fantastic for the club to experience European football. I said to the supporters, imagine under a light on a Thursday evening at the Stadium of Light playing European football.

It would help the club, if I’m being honest, because then also that means that the club would have to go out in the summer and maybe add a few more players so that they can deal with those games, Saturday, Thursday, Saturday, whatever. And so they would need a bigger squad, of course. But I just think in terms of the experience for the fans, it would be magnificent because the Stadium of Light’s never seen it and after this season, they deserve it.

Middlesbrough Need Clinical Finisher

I would say they need a new striker. I spoke about it last week, the stats don’t lie, do they? They’ve comfortably dominated a lot of games of football this year. They’ve created numerous opportunities. Over the bank holiday, I said on the Friday, created 30 shots. On Monday, 29 shots and didn’t win the game. So it’s a no-brainer that they’re looking at it. And if they had that clinical finisher, then they would be in a far better position than they’re in at the moment. So that’s the top priority.

They’ve shown they’ve got a good squad. If they can keep hold of everyone, adding a striker that can score 20, 15, 20 is hard. But if they could find it, then that would put them in a much stronger position.

Ipswich Premier League Chances

They might look at the likes of Leeds and Sunderland, who have come up and what they’ve done. Certainly, Sunderland, who have survived in the Premier League, and Leeds have got a good opportunity. Also, their experience from last time with Kieran McKenna, I’m sure he’s learned an awful lot, the board, the owner. So it would help them for sure.

Nevertheless, you’ve still got to go out and recruit the right types of players. Do you recruit and build a whole new squad, or do you just add to it? Be interested to see, but I certainly feel they’ll give a better account of themselves next season if they were to go to the Premier League for sure.

Coventry Rotation

Thinking about it, it’s a tough one, isn’t it, for Frank? Until they get over that line, he’s going to stick with the team that’s pretty much gotten to where they are. And when that does happen, it’s a difficult one pulling in players that played all season to say, I’m going to rest you. You want to play. Imagine pulling in Haji Wright to say, “You’re not playing now. We’re going to give Ellis Simms a crack”.

But Frank probably will give game time to the players who haven’t. The likes of Ellis Simms, Victor Torp, and Josh Eccles, players who have been coming on as subs, maybe they might get a couple of starts from now to the end of the season.

So it’d be really good to see them get some game time and experience what it feels like having known that you’ve got promoted to the Premier League, but obviously, they’ve still got to do it yet.

Blackburn Avoiding Relegation

They’ve got the right manager in to do it. They have been much better under Michael O’Neill. It’s going to be tough. When you look at their fixtures, the last four games, you’ve got Southampton, Coventry, Sheffield United and Leicester, they’re big teams. And that game at the end of the season against Leicester could be crucial at their home. So, have they got enough? It will go right down to the wire, but definitely, they’ve got the right manager in place to give it a good go.

Hull Playoff Worries

Naturally, the fans will be worried. I’ve spoken about them many times this season. They’ve had a fantastic season to be where they are after the conditions and the restraints they’ve been working under. I would be slightly concerned, but they’re still in the playoff position after a bad run.

If they could get a result this weekend against Birmingham, obviously, they’re coming off the back of a great result, then that sets them up really nicely for the last three games. And they’ve got every opportunity to get to the playoffs. So it’s not panic time, but they need a result this weekend, that’s for sure.

Birmingham Summer Plans

There will be some shuffle. I don’t think they’ll completely rebuild the squad because they’ve spent a lot of money, but whether the board will go out to them anymore. But there’ll certainly be additions to the squad, which they need. If they get that, they’ll certainly be challenging for a playoff spot next year. Learned from it this season.

If the manager’s still in place, great. If he isn’t, then I’m sure they’ll bring someone in that can really push for a promotion spot, if not a playoff spot. So they’ll be challenging for the playoffs next year, but they certainly need to make quite a few additions over the summer.

Norwich v Ipswich Penalty Decision

Derbies are always tough games to referee. The penalty for me was a very, very soft penalty. I can see why the ref’s given it, but in hindsight, when you can slow it down and look at it, it doesn’t really make much contact. So they can feel hard done by, certainly in that situation. Again, it’s a tough game to referee. You’re not going to get everything right.

But overall, probably they’re going to be moaning. Ipswich deserved to win the game with the opportunities they created. But the penalty was a very, very soft one.

Leicester Survival Hopes

I hate to say it, my old club, I think a loss here could see them relegated, I really do. What a huge blow to lose at the weekend, Leicester. You could see the body language in the players. It’s going to be hard to turn it around. Portsmouth off the back of a fantastic result. They’ve got momentum.

Obviously, it’s not going to be mathematically in terms of the relegation for Leicester, but you look at their fixtures, they’ve got Hull, Millwall, Blackburn. It’s going to be tough. So, a massive game for them, but lose at Pompey at the weekend, it’s going to be extremely difficult to stay in the league.

Derby Loanees to Keep

Well, Bobby Clarke’s one. He’s an obvious one, whether they can is another question. He’s a young talent, really good. Bereton Diaz has been good, scored seven goals, played a lot of games. Ozoh from Palace, a young player back on loan there, he’d be a player you’d look at. Sami Szmodics, again, what a player to have in your squad, his experience, his creativity. And Banel from Burnley, again, a very young player. Players that have come in and performed and can play at that level.

So certainly, the loan system in the Championship is so crucial and important. You get it right, it gives you a great opportunity. And those players I just mentioned, if they could re-sign them next season, either on loan again or permanent, then I think Derby would have another right good go next year.

Southampton Playoff Favourites

100% playoff favourites just now. I mentioned momentum many times, and confidence. The run they’ve been on, that place is buzzing, it’s rocking. The results they’ve had of late have been outstanding. Every manager and team wants that momentum going into the playoffs. And nobody would want to face Southampton in two legs and in the final.

So, they would certainly be favourites. Listen, they’ve still got an opportunity for second place. If Ipswich stall over the next few games with their momentum, it could be close. In the playoffs, they will certainly be favourites for sure.

Leo Scienza Technical Ability

Scienza is one of the most technically gifted players in the league, 100%. He’ll be up there again for player of the season for sure. If Southampton were to go up by the playoffs, he’d certainly be in the running for player of the season. Technically, he’s brilliant in that final third. Gets you in the box, you can’t touch him. He’s a confident player.

Seen him a few times this season, and he’s been outstanding. He’s certainly a player who, in the Premier League, would excite people. He’s a player that the club would love to see play in the Premier League for sure.

James Morrison Permanent Role

I’d love to see him get the job permanently. He’s come in, and he’s done an excellent job. Of course, relegation scrap, but they’re in a good position. James has shown that he can handle the pressure.

So I know the player, I played with him. I would love to see him given the opportunity, but I just fear that the club might go for someone a bit more experienced, but they’ve already tried that. So why not? I’d love to see James. The fans love him. I’d love to see him given a crack at it next season for sure.

Watford vs Sheffield United

I don’t see much between these two. Watford lost, Sheffield United drew. I’m going to sit on the fence. Watford 1, Sheffield United 1.

Wrexham vs Stoke

Wrexham will bounce back. I see this as a home win. Wrexham 2, Stoke 1.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Charlton

Sheffield Wednesday have had a little resurgence. Drew the last game, drew against Leicester. This will be another draw for them. Sheffield Wednesday 1, Charlton 1.

Millwall vs QPR

Again, Millwall stuttered a little bit, but they’ll bounce back. London Derby, Millwall 2, QPR 1.