Kevin Phillips’ Expert Analysis: Championship Matchday 8 Predictions & Preview

Is Cyle Larin the Most Complete Striker in the League

Cyle Larin has got everything; he possesses everything that makes a top striker. He’s strong, he’s good in the air, he gets in the box, and he scores goals. He’s the Championship’s top scorer with seven goals, and he scores different types of goals. I’ve seen that since he’s come to the club, he’s a huge threat. He was an excellent signing, a surprise signing when they signed him after losing Armstrong, but he certainly stepped up, and he’s definitely their main man. So he’s a player that, come the end of the season, if Saints are going to get in the playoffs or get promoted, he’s a player they have to keep fit.

Michail Antonio’s Return to English Football After the Accident

It’s brilliant. He’s such a great character, isn’t he? He’s a leader, and of course what happened was terrible, but it’s great to see him back on the pitch. I think he could have a big role to play at Watford on and off the pitch, certainly off the pitch with his experience. He’s a massive handful; we’ve all seen that: a good, strong centre forward that can score goals as well. So it’d be really interesting to see how he performs from now to the end of the season, but I think that’s a really shrewd signing, on and off the pitch.

Cardiff Just Not Clinical Enough

You would have to say they’re not being clinical enough. You can only be unlucky for so long, and when you’ve got that xG, and you create that many chances, it boils down to not being clinical enough in front of goal. Their top goal scorer, Ashford, has two goals. When you’ve had that many chances, someone should be sitting on five, six, seven goals. So it just boils down to that, and I’m sure when they watch games back, that’s the message they’re giving the players. Can you coach that? It’s hard. So yeah, I’d have to say it’s down to not being clinical in front of goal.

Jamie Vardy’s Signing for Burnley

Again, like Antonio at Watford, you’re bringing a player to the football club that’s been there, seen it, done it. Has he still got that hunger? He clearly has, because he wouldn’t have signed for the club. His experience off the pitch – I played with Jamie and coached him, I know what type of character he is, and he’s the type of character you need when you’re going through a tough time, because he’ll get around the dressing room, he’ll lift people, he’ll dig people out, he’ll have a go at people. So again, another real shrewd signing. It looks like he’s still got the hunger, which is great. We know he can score goals, and Burnley need that at the minute.

John Eustace can Turn Things Around

First and foremost, John Eustace is definitely capable of turning it around; we’ve seen it. And they’re going through a bit of a tough spell, and it doesn’t help with them missing players. But on the flip side, that’s an opportunity for other players to step up, and clearly they haven’t done that. So that’ll tell John a lot about his squad.

But the quicker they can get those players back – we know Derby have certainly got a good squad. So again, not to panic, but they need points on the board very quickly. They’ve only won one game, and they’ve lost five, so it doesn’t look good. They need to get back to winning ways for sure.

Was Paul Heckingbottom Unlucky to Lose His Job

I think losing to Lincoln, a newly promoted team, last week, that’s probably the final nail in the coffin. The start to the season hasn’t been what Hecky would have been looking for, and he probably knows that if he didn’t turn it around, something was going to happen. Unfortunately, he’s the first one to go, which isn’t nice; it’s never nice to see a manager go, but he’ll understand the business. QPR have always been that team that has a good start and then finishes mid-table. They haven’t had a good start this season, and he’s paid the price. So it’s a shame to see, but it’s an opportunity for someone else to go in now and try and lift the club.

Tom Atcheson Trajectory Under Tony Mowbray

I’ve said all along Tony Mowbray is the perfect manager for Atcheson to be working under, being a centre-half himself as well. So he’ll pass on his knowledge and experience. And from his performance, certainly against Wolves in the first game of the season away, excellent. So he’s got all the potential; only time will tell, but he’s playing for the perfect manager that will help his development, and he’s making a name for himself already. Let’s hope it continues.

Wolves vs West Brom

The old Black Country derby, I’ve played in it a few times, great atmosphere. It’d be a tight game. I’m going to go Wolves one, West Brom one.

Stoke vs Sheffield United

Great win for Stoke away last week, Sheffield United losing, but I think Stoke could go on a little run. So I’m Stoke two, Sheffield United one.

Birmingham vs Middlesbrough

Boro drawing last night. I’m going to go Birmingham. I’m Birmingham two, Boro one.

Lincoln vs Swansea

Both won their last games. Lincoln has surprised a few people, but Swansea being excellent. So I’m going to go Lincoln one, Swansea two.