4 | Kalvin Phillips - 2022/23 Performances

[JDV]

Yeah I've been quick to criticise him for the lack of effort, but if Pep's said to him what he said to Rodri initially; "don't run too much" then perhaps that is why. It's probably the hardest place to play. He's not confident he should be here, he's had injuries and issues with fitness and it's no surprise he's looked abysmal when compared to the greatest DM in the world!

He's also got a manager who played that role and will undoubtedly be giving him a million instructions. More time on the pitch, more confidence and the other elements should bind together. Sharpness was the only thing missing on Saturday, and that's from a lack of playing time. Otherwise he was pretty effective. A few poor passes, but some excellent ones too. I had a great view of one he pinged over to Palmer, a beaut of a pass. Shame he didn't get his goal, just a moment like that can change the mentality of a player.

Just imagine that for a long time the best holding midfielder in the world was being called Plodri by our fans.

Kalvin can turn it around. He just needs to believe he belongs and to give it everything he has.

 

[Bluemoon2393]

I would like Kalvin to do well. Next season I think he could show us why we invested in him. Its sad things haven't gone the way we would have liked but next season is a new start and a new chance.

Rodri has been playing the best football of his life this season and that is the real reason he can't get games. Maybe Pep can train him up to play in a centre back role when we have a centre back crisis.

 

[bumbleblue]

I dreamt that Kalvin scored the winner in the CL final. 0-0 93 mins on clock, Rodri gets hacked down .. can’t continue all going mental. Kalvin comes on… commentators doing the seconds to extra time speel.. Kev taps the ball to Kalvin just in the D everyone expects him to play a 1-2 but he takes a touch and fucking bangs it straight in top right corner- keeper no chance. Inter restart and it’s over. Limbs… alarm going off.

 

[FantasyIreland]

No Blue wants the kid to fail......Would love nothing more than for him to develop into prime Dinho.

 

[Nethermoor]

The lad was trusted by Bielsa, a lot. And Pep trusts Bielsa and has a huge respect for him if I remember right. That speaks volumes, there's definitely a player there. It's just been longer than expected for him to acclimatise. Full pre season and he can hit the ground running.

He plays regularly for England... and always looks in depth.

 

[Plain Speaking]

The lad was trusted by Bielsa, a lot. And Pep trusts Bielsa and has a huge respect for him if I remember right. That speaks volumes, there's definitely a player there. It's just been longer than expected for him to acclimatise. Full pre season and he can hit the ground running.

He plays regularly for England... and always looks in depth.

When I have seen England play, he looks one of the least comfortable players on the ball, (in contrast to Rice!). He seems a really likable personality, I wish him well, but he doesn't seem to believe in his own ability, until that changes he won't succeed here. Perhaps if he had scored in his cameos that could have helped his self belief?

 

[Nethermoor]

When I have seen England play, he looks one of the least comfortable players on the ball, (in contrast to Rice!). He seems a really likable personality, I wish him well, but he doesn't seem to believe in his own ability, until that changes he won't succeed here. Perhaps if he had scored in his cameos that could have helped his self belief?

He nearly did didn't he? Was close. But you're probably right. Southgate trusts him though and no matter what people think of Gareth he is a very good coach.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Like Grealish has done, he will make a lot of our own fans eat their own words down the line.

I hope so.

I keep seeing Rodwell in him. Happy to proved wrong.

 

[iTyler]

I hope so.

I keep seeing Rodwell in him. Happy to proved wrong.

Rodwell was injury hit and never put two decent performances together back to back. Phillips played a lot of games for Leeds, albeit many of them in the Championship. I don't see him ever being anything more than a squad player, but that's exactly what we brought him in for. He's also a likeable fella with a good personality so will have a positive effect in the changing room.

 

[super_city_si]

No Blue wants the kid to fail......Would love nothing more than for him to develop into prime Dinho.

He doesnt even have to do that, just become a reliable back up and give us 20 or so games a season. Saw a bit more from him when he came on v Brighton. Big pre season for him.