Kevin Phillips’ Expert Analysis: Championship Predictions & Analysis

I’m Surprised Vipotnik Isn’t Playing

I’m not sure Idah is a better option than him. Vipotnik scored tons of goals last season, led the line really well; he’s a handful. So for me, I am surprised why he’s not playing. Perhaps there’s something going on in the background; we don’t know, a falling out. Maybe he’s asked to leave; we don’t know.

But Adam Idah has big boots to fill after Vipotnik scored so many goals last year as the main man. So if they do sell him in the summer, I’m sure they’re going to get a few quid for him, and then they can go and replace him. But at the minute, you’d have to say Vipotnik is probably the better option, because he’s scored more goals. Idah’s in the side at the minute though, and he’s got to keep doing what he’s doing.

If I Was Tony Mowbray I Would Not Want Balazs Toth to Leave

I’ve spoken about goalkeepers leaving many times, and any club that loses their number one, their very good goalkeeper, it’d be a blow. I’m sure Tony Mowbray won’t want to lose him. He’s an excellent keeper, he’s commanding, he’s good with his feet, and he’s pulled off some really good saves this season. So if I were the manager there, I would not want him to leave.

But again, who knows what the player’s saying to people in the background? Celtic are a huge club, but I would rather see Toth stay at Blackburn and keep doing what he’s doing, and then help them get into those play-offs and push for promotion.

I Asked for Le Tissier’s Number Seven, So Credit to Barney Stewart

I would say so. It’s great, I love seeing that from young players, going straight in and asking for that number nine shirt. Generally, over the years, the number nine’s been worn by club legends, very good players. And when you go in and ask for it, well, I remember I went to Southampton, and I asked for the number seven shirt, following on from Matt Le Tissier. That was probably a mistake on my part!

But credit to Barney Stewart. He wants to go in there; he wants to be the number nine. He’s obviously got competition ahead of him in Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who’s doing exceptionally well, but it shows his confidence, and I love that in a player. Now Barney has to follow it up with performances. He’s a very exciting player. So hopefully he’ll become that legend of a number nine at that football club.

It’s Too Early to Put Moylan Alongside a Legend Like Jason Koumas

I think it’s probably too early to put him alongside the legend in Jason. Jason’s an exceptional footballer, very talented, and scored great goals. And Moylan’s shown that already: six goals; he’s stepped up. So there are similar attributes. I’m not going to say he’s in the same league as him at the moment, but if he keeps doing what he’s doing, he can become a Cardiff legend, because technically he’s very good and he chips in with goals.

There are a few similarities, but not quite the same at the moment. But he’s doing brilliantly. He’s certainly their best player and a credit to him. Getting six goals is excellent.

You Certainly Cannot Write Sheffield United Off With Wilder in Charge

I think Sheff Utd are sitting in a perfect position. They’ve had some up-and-down results this season, but they’re still in and around that play-off position. And that’s at the moment with the signings perhaps not coming in that Chris would like. They’re in a good position, and this is another chance at home to get some points on the board. So I think he’ll be relatively happy where he is.

And you certainly cannot write them off. He’s got the experience, he’s one of the most experienced managers in that league in terms of promotions, and he knows the club inside out. So yeah, you certainly cannot write Sheffield United off.

Not Bad for a Poacher, He’s the Championship’s Top Goalscorer

I don’t listen to all that media rubbish about him being just a ‘poacher’. I don’t read it. It just makes me laugh. What do you bring a striker in to do? Score goals, end of. And that’s what he’s done. Listen, there’d be loads of teams in the Premier League and in the rest of the Championship who would love a poacher like Will Lankshear. So those comments just make me laugh.

I understand why people say it, but he’s been brought in to do a job. And as a manager, I imagine he’s saying to him, hold it up, get in the box, get in and around the six-yard box and get goals. And that’s what he’s done. That’s what he’s paid to do. So it makes me laugh when I hear comments like that. He’s the Championship’s top goalscorer. Not bad for a poacher.

Getting Those Players Back Can Only Strengthen Derby

Potentially, the injured players coming back could help turn things around. They had a good result, didn’t they, in the last game out. I think John has been frustrated, of course, with where they are in the league, but with those players coming back, it can only strengthen them.

I think that might just give them that platform now to build on and go on a little run and get out of the situation they’re in, which is what the manager wants. So he’s getting back some really good players, and experienced players as well. So it can only help.

Stick With Clement Because I Believe He’s a Very Good Manager

It’s so easy, isn’t it, to make comparisons, especially because of his spell at Rangers. And you have to look at why it’s going wrong. It could potentially happen that they let him go, but I think you stick with him. They had a fantastic result last game out, winning 3-1 away at Charlton. An excellent result. Hopefully that can be the platform now that really kickstarts their season, the same as with Derby.

But obviously, if it continues, then action might have to be taken. I hope it doesn’t, because I believe he’s a very good manager. We saw that last season. Just give him a bit more time. I think this game now coming up is huge for Norwich. They need to get back-to-back wins.

Rudoni Is the One Sunderland Have to Pick Up

I think it’s a must-win for Sunderland, and a big, big game for Coventry as well, a six-pointer early on. Listen, Coventry have got some good players. Jack Rudoni is probably the one that stands out. He’s scored three goals for them; he’s their top goalscorer. Then you’ve got Sherif, a big, powerful centre forward. I know he’s only got one goal, but he can be a right handful on his day. And then Thomas-Asante and Sakamoto on each wing. They’ve got players that can really hurt you. They’ve shown that over the years.

So they’re the players, but Rudoni is probably the one that sticks out in that 10 position. If you don’t pick him up, he can really, really hurt you.

Sunderland Can’t Keep Relying on Brobbey for the Goals

There’s a big argument for that. I watched them live on Sunday. Of course, the focus from defenders is on Brobbey, but whether you play with another striker or that 10 in terms of Enzo Le Fée, whoever plays in that 10 has to get close to Brobbey and find the spaces.

I’ve spoken about two strikers before. The manager’s reluctant; he only does it when they’re chasing a game. I think the fans would love to see him start with maybe Isidor and Brobbey up top, to look after those defenders and give space for everyone else. But at the moment, whoever plays just off Brobbey has to find the space, because they can’t keep relying on him to get the goals.

Being the Only Recognised Striker Can Make You Complacent, and I’ve Lived It

I think they will sign another forward. There’s a lot of pressure on Barry’s shoulders. He’s done well, but he’s missed a fair few opportunities as well, so there’s a lot of pressure on him to get the goals, and it’s always difficult.

I’ve had it, you know, I have had it at clubs where you have a reputation. You go in there to score goals, and then you look behind you, and there aren’t many people challenging you. And sometimes you become a little bit complacent, because you know that if you don’t play well, you’re going to play the next game, which as a manager you don’t want. I’m not saying that about Thierno, but it is like that, and it’d be nice to take a bit of pressure off him.

So yes, definitely an area that I’m sure David Moyes will look at in the window. I’m sure they’ve got someone lined up. But yeah, I have experienced it, and as a player you want that competition, because that’s what brings the best out of you.

Trafford Could Prove a Bargain at 40-Odd Million for Leeds

First and foremost, he was excellent at the weekend. From what I can gather, he’s a great character. I think he was going to be number one at Man City, then they brought Donnarumma in. And credit to him, he wanted to move and go and play football. I love that about his attitude. He’s an excellent goalkeeper.

Maybe they will come to rue him leaving, but City are joint top of the Premier League, so they’re not doing too bad. But he’s certainly a fantastic goalkeeper at the moment. It looks like it could be a bit of a bargain at 40-odd million for Leeds. So only time will tell whether they’ll rue selling him.

Blackpool Will Stick With Ian Evatt and They’re Right To

It’s been really tough for Evo. He’s almost like a club legend there. I played with him. I thought he got off to a really good start to the season; there was a lot of optimism there, a couple of good results, and then it’s just started to slip backwards, and he finds himself in 20th. He’ll be very frustrated. He’s got a young squad, and they’ve been very naive. So it’s been a tough run for Ian.

But he’s got the experience; he did a great job at Bolton. The club will stick with him, and they will get behind him, and he has shown his managerial pedigree at Bolton. He can get the best out of those young players, so hopefully they can turn a corner very, very soon. But it’ll be a frustrating time for him, and I know how much the club means to big Evo. So hopefully he can pick things up quite quickly.