Kevin Phillips’ Championship GW45 Predictions and Tips

Middlesbrough’s Poor Finishing

The stats have suggested they’ve created so many opportunities this season, and against teams, they haven’t been clinical in front of goal. So it’s certainly an area that needs to be addressed over the summer.

How many goals would I of score from those chances? if I’m being modest, I’d probably be sitting in double figures, that’s for sure. I’d back myself to convert many chances that they created. So it’s certainly an area that, if they don’t go up via the playoffs, needs to be addressed next year for sure.

Harry Winks Reaction to Fans

Knowing Gaz, he’s probably going to be behind doors. He’ll be disappointed with the way he’s reacted. He’s an experienced player, and he would have dealt with it internally. From the player’s point of view, you cannot be doing that to the supporters. You do not take your anger out on the supporters. They followed that team home and away all season. If you’re going to take your anger out, take it out on your teammates.

So I was very disappointed in Harry Winks. He’s had a disappointing season. The team’s had a devastating season, and it’s only the players who can take the blame. As an experienced player, he knows better than that, that’s for sure. And I was very surprised to see him in the squad last night, if I’m being honest.

Oli McBurnie for Scotland

Well, he’s a player who’s had a good season. Of course, he’s had a barren spell, but he got a good goal last night. He’s a player who I think would help Scotland. He’s that type of striker that just causes problems, absolutely. He causes chaos in that back line.

So, he’s a player that, for whatever reason, Steve Clarke hasn’t picked him. If he can get a few more goals, maybe a couple more goals from now to the end of the season, then he might have an opportunity, but it’s good that he spoke to the manager. So now it’s just a case of waiting and seeing, seeing if that’s helped. But I think he would be a good addition to their squad without a shadow of a doubt.

Derby Selling Zetterström and Langas

If that’s the case that they have to sell before they can invest, then automatically, you’re going to look at their most valuable asset. Those two players, Langas came in for three and a half million euros, the goalkeeper 2.5 million, and if they can get back triple that, which they could invest in more players, then they might look at it.

But you don’t want to be losing your best players because they’ve had a good season, they’ll be looking to kick on next season, so they’re the types of players that would be a big loss, but they’ll generate some good income to be able to go and invest and bring in more players. Of course, Agyemang, he’s gonna be out for a while now, he’d probably have been the more obvious sale.

Derby Needing a Striker

I think they’d look at it, but obviously, they’re not going to go all out when they know they’ve got a player there in the making. They’ll be desperate to get Agyemang back as quickly as they can. So, I don’t think they’ll want to go out and spend silly money on a striker knowing that he’s coming back, and then potentially have an issue when you’ve got two top-fit strikers challenging.

Still, it’s probably an area they need to address, but maybe that striker could be one that’s come out of the Premier League, relegated from the Premier League, they could do with a bit of experience. So, I certainly think Eustace will be looking to add in that area.

Jack Clarke Mentality

He has been saying all the right things, because you can’t rely on other teams. You just have to take care of your own backyard. Listen, Ipswich know what they need to do. It’s in their own hands. They’ve got four games left. Tonight, then West Brom away, Saints away, which is tough, then QPR at home.

So it’s in their own hands. So it’s refreshing to hear Jack say that, and I’m sure that’s the message that the lads in the dressing room have been giving. Don’t rely on anyone else. Just continue to take care of your own back garden because it’s in their hands.

Josh Maja Contract

I do think they should extend his contract. Josh, I watched him a lot at Sunderland, and he scored a lot of goals. He got 18 goals there, went abroad to Bordeaux, came back on a couple of loan spells, and now he’s back. I think he feels a bit more experienced. He’s working under a manager who knows him well, and he’s clearly getting the best out of him. He’s letting him play, he’s freed him up, and he’s getting the rewards.

He’s 27 years of age, which I think is a magnificent age to be playing in a championship. So, for me, it certainly makes sense. I wouldn’t say it’s a no-brainer, but if the player wants to stay, I would get him tied down for sure.

Toure 20-Goal Season Striker

I do think he can be that 20 goals a season striker. He’s played nine games, and I think he’s scored eight goals. Now, that suggests to me that he’s a goal-scorer. His record there is phenomenal, nearly one in every game. So, give him a good pre-season, and then next year I think he could be that player. He’s got eight goals in nine games. Imagine what he could do over the course of the season.

So he’s certainly a player who knows where the back of the net is. He’s a player that they’ve got to kind of like mould their front line around because I think he’s capable of getting well into double figures for sure.

Southampton Premier League Ready

Alongside Coventry, obviously, they’re promoted, and I think they’ve shown they’ll handle it. I would have to say Southampton are the other most Premier League-ready side in the Championship, because they’ve knocked out two Premier League sides in the FA Cup, they’ve gone toe-to-toe with them and come out victorious.

So listen, it’s gonna be a different challenge against Manchester City. We know that they’re not expected to win the game, but they can go up and really have an indication if they were to go up how tough the Premier League is.

But at the moment, as I see it, I would have to suggest that with the run they’ve been on and the teams they’ve knocked out, they are definitely Premier League ready at the moment with a few additions over the summer.

Stoke vs Portsmouth

Stoke v Pompey. I don’t see this being a classic. Stoke 1, Portsmouth 1.

Sheffield United vs Preston

Good win for Sheffield United. Preston are capable of winning anywhere, but Sheffield United 2, Preston 1.

Birmingham vs Bristol City

I don’t see much between these again. Birmingham 1, Bristol City 1.

Oxford vs Sheffield Wednesday

Oxford might just edge this. Sheffield Wednesday, clearly nothing to play for, Oxford still has something to play for. Oxford 2, Sheffield Wednesday 1.

Coventry vs Wrexham

It’s a tough one to predict. Coventry already over the line. Wrexham is still challenging, but it’s going to be an exciting game. Coventry 2, Wrexham 2.