Kevin Phillips’ Championship Play-Off Finals Predictions & Analysis

What Makes Wembley Different

Well, I think 200-odd million quid for the winner has something to do with it, especially in the Championship play-off final. The game just changes so many things, changes people’s lives, changes players’ lives, in terms of jumping up a level. If you are playing in the Premier League or in a Championship from League One. Your wages will automatically go up. Things happen to you off the pitch, and you become more in demand.

So a lot comes with the pressure of playing in that Championship final at Wembley, and there’s no other game like it. And I was lucky enough to play in it quite a few times, experienced many losses, but experienced a win, and it is an incredible game. And you just can’t really prepare for it. If I’m being honest, it’s just one of those games that, individually, personally, mentally, you’ve got to try and deal with what comes at you. So, yeah, the pressure of the financial side of it, but also the chance to get to the Premier League.

Southampton Spying Scandal Decision

It’s actually surprised me because I’ve been asked quite a lot since, and I said that I don’t think they’ll kick them out. I thought it may be a potential big fine and a points deduction at the start of next season. So I was as surprised as anyone, to be honest. And it’s a big decision. It’s a big call that could have big repercussions moving forward. We don’t know how this is going to unfold. Is a big can of worms been opened?

So they’ve made the decision. Of course, they’re going to appeal it today, which they have every right to do. But a decision has to be made quickly. So I’m surprised. I’m surprised. But what we’re hearing now of what’s been coming out, what’s been happening most of the season, well, of this season, is it a huge surprise when you hear that? So maybe not. But yeah, it’s a big, big call from my point of view.

Should Southampton Manager Step Down

Another tough one. I think, at the end of the day, these people are not going to watch games without someone’s permission, and generally that would come from the management team. You’d like to think that he was running it past the powers that be above, because of the repercussions if you were to be caught. So if they were doing it alone, then it’s a big, big decision to make.

And ultimately, we’ve seen over time where managers have been suspended from football for a while for being caught doing similar things. It’s a big, big call. I don’t want to see anyone lose their job, but ultimately, what’s unfolded here is not acceptable in football. We all know that. And for it to happen once, but for it to happen over a few times is unacceptable, really, in our game with the integrity.

So it wouldn’t surprise me if he stepped down or the club were to dismiss him. I think the people who suffer the most here for me are the fans. I feel so sorry for Southampton fans because they were looking forward to that day out at Wembley. They deserve to be there in terms of what they did over the last 18, 19 games. I feel for the fans.

Other Clubs Claiming Damages

I see no reason why not. I gather that Middlesbrough hired a very top football lawyer to act for them, who is very successful. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s getting a call from a few other clubs if they’ve got evidence that they’ve been spied on. As you say, there’s been Millwall come through. I think Oxford were one of them as well.

Coventry is another team. If they’ve got clear evidence, then, as you say, it’d be really interesting to see what unfolds in the coming weeks and over the summer in terms of the repercussions, what happens. So it’s a really interesting one, and obviously one that we’re all eagerly awaiting to see what happens.

Spying Scandal Distraction for Both Teams

Well, from Hull’s point of view, yeah, a huge distraction. I feel for them, the people I feel sorry for are the Southampton fans and Hull, Hull themselves, because clearly they’ve been preparing to play Southampton. They would have been doing their due diligence, their work in the background, their work on the training ground. And now, they’ve got to completely switch their focus to Middlesbrough. And they haven’t got that many days to prepare for it.

So, you feel for them, but they’ve played them twice this season; of course, they know about them. Middlesbrough, they’ll be buzzing, they’ll be absolutely buzzing because they’ve been given a second chance, and they’ll be buzzing, they’ll be up for it. The players will be chomping at the bit to get prepared and go to Wembley. So, it might just have a slight advantage towards Middlesbrough. Might sound strange, but to be given a second chance, then they’re not going to let it slip, that’s for sure.

Ross Stewart in the Scotland Squad

Yeah, I think firstly, I don’t think it’ll affect Ollie McBurnie. He’s used to not being in the squad. So, I think he’s probably accepted it, and it might drive him on a little bit and spur him on to show Scotland what they’re missing. I think Ross Stewart, I can almost see it if I’m being honest. I see him more as an impact sub coming on for Scotland in those last 15, 20 minutes if they need a goal. And he can score goals. We know that. We’ve seen it. He scored important goals this season, no more so than in the playoffs. So, it doesn’t surprise me. But I don’t think it’ll affect either player going, certainly McBurnie going into the final this Saturday.

Middlesbrough’s Appeal

Yeah, I think it’s a valid argument. They’ve got every right to appeal and take the necessary steps. Did they probably see Southampton getting kicked out of the playoffs? I’m not sure, but like they’ve hired the right person to work for them, and he’s done the business. So, they’ll be absolutely buzzing.

It’d be interesting to see what comes out today from the appeal because a decision has to be made really quickly. So we’ll wait in anticipation for that one. But Middlesbrough will be buzzing. They’ll be looking forward to going to Wembley on Friday and then obviously playing the game on Saturday.

Next Manager – Scott Parker

Honestly, sometimes it baffles me where they come up with these names and these managers. I know Erol Bulut managed Cardiff for a season, I think, and his win ratio there was 36%. I know he’s managed Fenerbahçe, which is a big side, 60% win ratio, but surely lessons have to be learned. Surely putting someone in maybe like a Russell Martin, Scott Parker, would be a fantastic addition. His experience in the Championship. Of getting people out of the Championship. What he did at Burnley was superb. Russell Martin, again, I don’t think you can look any further than him, too.

But if you had to push me, my old club, Watford, I’d have to say Scott Parker would be a fantastic appointment as a manager.

Kyogo Return to Celtic

It hasn’t quite worked for him. I’ve spoken about him a couple of times this season. I know the fans like him, but ultimately, in terms of goals and assists, it just hasn’t been there, and he got one goal in all his appearances for Birmingham. So it hasn’t quite worked out. And it’s not like it’s only been over a few games, it’s been over a good while.

So I think probably for both parties, if I were Birmingham, I’d be looking to move him on, whether he goes back to Celtic or not or moves somewhere else. And try to bring in someone, maybe a little bit younger than him, who potentially could be an asset for the football club. So I certainly think it hadn’t quite worked out for him, so I would be looking to move him on, to be honest.

Callum Elder Contract Decision

He’s a fantastic lad. I know Callum. I had him at Leicester when I was a coach and watched his career develop, and he’s a very good player, but he suffered with a couple of injuries late on, towards the back end of the season. He’s 31 years of age. So I can kind of almost get where the football club are coming from. From a sentimental point of view, it’s a tough one for the player. I can see why the fans have a mixed reaction, but from the football club, from a football decision, probably, it’s the right decision.

Troy Parrott Transfer

I think Troy’s kind of almost done his apprenticeship, hasn’t he? He’s gone away. He had quite a few loan spells in England that didn’t quite work out. Then he’s gone abroad, and he scored goals. I think he scored 30 goals this year for AZ Alkmaar, and that’s some going in any league. So I think it might be the time, he’s only 24 years old, he’s got that bit of experience now. So I think he could potentially be a player for Ipswich or Coventry to maybe just go and take that gamble.

Obviously, it’ll cost a few quid, but he’s a proven goal scorer over the last couple of years for sure. So maybe it might be one of those bargain buys that come in and just get you those goals to help you stay in the Premier League. So, yeah, I think that would be a really good addition to either of those two sides.

Alfie Devine Permanent Signing

Yeah, huge. On loan from Tottenham. Whether they can sign him permanently and whether the player wants to go to Preston permanently, I don’t know. If they could get him back at the football club on a permanent or another loan deal for a season, it would be great business. Permanently, obviously, would be fantastic. Still a young lad, got great potential. He got himself eight goals and six assists this season. I spoke about him already this season. He’s a good, good player, good midfielder, and one that if you were to secure him, potentially could be an asset, could be worth way more than what you paid.

So, I think they’ll have to pay a fair few quid. But certainly, if Preston can secure his services next season, it’ll be a great, great addition for them for sure.