Kevin Phillips’ Expert Analysis: FA Cup 4th Round & Championship Predictions

Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Wrexham’s Journey

The obvious answer to that is it’s been quite remarkable, hasn’t it? To come from where they were, struggling for years, to where they are now with the investment, it’s remarkable. It’s the reward they’ve got from the hard work, the sweat, the tears, the worry, the anxiousness, everything we associate with doing that type of work. It’s been an amazing journey. We’ve all seen the documentary, a very good production, a very good watch.

Can they keep it going? I don’t see any reason why not. I think the goal is for them to get to the Premier League. That might be two or three years away, but they’re sitting in a really good position at the moment. If they can keep building on what they’ve done in the past, coming into this season, who knows?

Prioritise League or Cup?

It’s always a difficult one, isn’t it? When you’re in such a good position in the league, everybody wants to have a good cup run, the fans, the biggest thing is for the fans, a day out at Wembley. But for the manager, it’s getting the balance right. Obviously, he will make changes because, having been a manager, you want to try and keep everyone on side, and the players that haven’t had minutes, I’m sure he’s going to try and get their minutes on the pitch. And sometimes it can not go the way you planned.

A cup run would be great, but I would personally prioritise the league because they’re in such a good position, and I think they can afford to go fairly strong in the cup as well. I think he’ll probably mix the side for the game at the weekend.

Phil Parkinson “Manager for Life”

We all know football, you lose three, four, five games on the bounce, the fans turn on you, there’s pressure from the media, and sometimes owners have to make decisions. At the minute, Phil Parkinson has done an incredible job. I think it’s a big statement, let’s put it that way, but we all know football. At the minute, I don’t see any reason why they would change. He’s done a fantastic job and, at the moment, just keep him where he is.

Mehmeti: “Ipswich the Best Team in the Championship” Comments

No, they aren’t, because they’re not top of the league. They’re a very good side, don’t get me wrong. I’ve said numerous times on here, I expect them to be certainly close to those top two at the end of the season, if not in those top two. But Middlesbrough are the best team in the league at the moment because they’re sitting top of the league and they’re playing some really good stuff. Coventry are faltering a little bit, but Ipswich are a good side.

I can understand why Mehmeti came out and said it, but it’s a big statement because at the minute, they’re not sitting top of the league, but they’ve got every opportunity in the coming weeks to get to the top. But at the minute, if I were one of the other players, I’d probably tell him not to be making that statement because you’re going to be there to be shot down every week now.

Sunderland’s Best Midfield Three

I was at the game last night, Diarra and Sadiki played in there. I think they miss Xhaka, obviously. He goes straight back into the side with his leadership qualities and his experience. I think probably if push comes to shove, Diarra is getting better. But I think just in terms of the game time at the moment, it would have to be Xhaka and Sadiki. They’ve pretty much been at the heart of that midfield for most of the season, barring the last couple of weeks.

For me, it would be those two with Le Fee just in front. But Diarra showed he can play that role as well, where Le Fee is playing. It’s a good headache to have for Régis Le Bris. But at the minute, I think the combination of the best three in there is Sadiki, Xhaka and Enzo Le Fee.

Anthony Patterson Loan

I think it was the right decision. Very tough on Anthony. He did fantastically well over the last few years and was right at the very heart of their promotion campaign. Le Bris decided to make a tough decision and bring in Robin Roefs, who has been exceptional. Credit to Anthony Patterson, he hasn’t spat his dummy out. The club has decided to let him move on, which I think is the right thing to do. He needs to go and play football for his own career, and it helps Sunderland as well. It was the correct decision.

Is Eckert One of the Best Managers?

It’s hard to say if Eckert is one of the best because of where they are in the league, but he’s certainly getting a reputation because they’re climbing the league, and I think they’ll push for a playoff spot come the end of the season. What an incredible turnaround at the weekend. He showed that when you’re getting beat 3-0 away from home, you have to do something to try and turn the game around, whether that’s tactically or personnel. And he showed he can do that.

It was an incredible comeback for them. What a massive blow for Leicester. But from Southampton’s point of view, it’s an incredible result. They can have a breather now, from the league and try to enjoy the cup. I think he’s going to turn out to be a very good manager.

Calvert-Lewin World Cup Chances

Being honest, no, I don’t see him going to the World Cup. Yes, he’s having a fantastic season. You never know, but I just think Tuchel probably won’t put him in the squad. I hope he goes on and scores many more goals now, from now to the end of the season, because pressure from the media and the fans will start ramping up.

We’re talking about him now. He’s done fantastically well so far, but I think at the moment there’s probably strikers just ahead of him in Watkins and obviously Kane. But if he keeps scoring goals and performing the way he is and stays fit, who knows?

Chris Davies Under Pressure

The board would have made their decision coming into the season if they weren’t to get into the playoffs or get promoted. But I think he’s earned the right, but that doesn’t mean anything, does it? Because the owners nowadays show that they can be very ruthless. We’ve seen that today with Nottingham Forest and Sean Dyche. Yes, he’s under pressure, but that comes with managing a big football club with a big budget. At the moment, I think he deserves an opportunity.

Norwich Better Without Josh Sargent

You would have to say they have been better without him. It’s a big call to leave him out for this long, now the window’s shut. There have been many managers, haven’t there, who cave in and just generally ease them back into the squad. But they’ve decided to be tough on the stance and credit to the football club for doing it. They’ve clearly got good players, players that have stepped up, the lad, Toure for example, who got the hat-trick. Some players have taken that opportunity, which you want as a manager, as a club.

I think it was the correct thing to do. I predicted I thought he would go, but fair play to Norwich for not allowing it. I think they’ve dealt with it really well. They’re reaping the rewards now because they’ve got a bit of form. He’ll probably be sitting there thinking, I wish I hadn’t done what I did because he tried to force a move and it backfired. Now he’s sitting on the sidelines watching his team perform and players in his position scoring goals. It was definitely the right decision and fair play to Norwich.

Middlesbrough Staying Consistent

My advice would be just don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m sure the manager won’t be doing that. I can see by his body language on the touchline the other night, where they played very well at Sheffield United. He won’t be getting carried away, and it’s his job not to let the players get carried away. Also, the players have a big responsibility amongst themselves to not look at the league, keep thinking if we do this, if we do that. Just the old cliche, just take each game as it comes, try and perform week in and week out, do the right things off the pitch and just don’t get ahead of yourself, which is the biggest thing.

If they keep doing what they’re doing and everyone stays fit, they’re certainly going to be right there coming into the season. Really good result the other night at Sheffield United, got some good players we’ve already spoken about. I think it’s just keeping level and just don’t get carried away.

Will Middlesbrough Achieve Promotion?

I think, if they continue the way they have with the players they’ve got, if they keep everyone fit, I think they’ve got a fantastic opportunity. They’ve already shown in some big games this season. They’re more than capable of winning them. It’s always a tough place to go to Sheffield United. They’ve dealt with the crowd, and they’ve come out on top. It’ll be another test for them, obviously, at the weekend at Coventry, but I think it’ll be a really good game. I think they’ve got more than enough to finish in that top two come the end of the season.

All Three North East Clubs in the Premier League

It would be amazing. There are a lot of fans up here that support their football club, whether it be Middlesbrough, Sunderland or Newcastle, who don’t want to see their rivals playing in the same league. I think that’s crazy. I think every true supporter wants all the North East clubs in the Premier League. I played when it was, and they’re the games you look forward to as a player. The derbies, the fans love it. It’s great for the Premier League as well.

It’d be amazing to see them come up, and then we can get back to having those really good, fierce derbies, and the fans can really look forward to it. I really hope it does happen.

Gary Rowett to Blackburn Potentially

Gary’s got great qualities. He’s got good experience as well now. I’ve worked very closely with him. He’s very methodical. He doesn’t leave any stone unturned. He’s very professional, and he knows the game inside out. I think if you’re looking for a safe pair of hands, then he’d be a really good shout.

Of course, having left Oxford in the position they were in, I’m not sure what was going on in the background there, but Blackburn, a huge football club, and someone of his experience could certainly go in there and try to help them stay in the league. I think it would be a really safe, sensible appointment if that were to happen.