Kalvin Phillips

[grim up north]

Yeah pep not going to say he wasn't that good is he? We see what he thinks of him last 12 months with him sat on the bench! Seems he is great around training never moans always happy and helping I feel really sorry for him he hasn't had the game time..

if you say so

 

[TonyM]

V Newcastle
Lewis Phillips Nunes

V Wolves
Foden Phillips Nunes

V RedBull
Rodri Phillips Kovacic

V Arsenal
Foden Kovacic Nunes

Maybe Phillips plays with Rodri v Leipzig to give Nunes and/or Foden a rest? Imo it could work with Rodri moving further forward.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Just watched the game again. Phillips did OK as a double pivot. Positioning alongside Nunez looked good. Always showing for the ball. Nothing special but he helped us see the game out. Anyone saying that Nunez did OK but Phillips didn't has probably already made their minds up that they don't rate him.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

FFS! This lad has hardly had a look in since he joined, he always looks solid when playing for England, give him a chance. He might not be Rodri clone but he should be useful cover. This reminds me of those numpties who dissed Ake when he joined, look at him now!

 

[TheThirdDeano]

Now or never Phillips mate!

 

[v762]

I don't think Phillips will ever get to the level where he's more than just a squad player for us

 

[Ric]

Really want him to do well, and liked the quotes from the other day. Would've been easy for him just to bemoan his lack of opportunities but he didn't. Hope he shines tomorrow night, but going to be difficult in a weakened team away at St James. Feels like it's now or never for him in terms of his City career though.

 

[Blue Elvis]

IMO, there isn't another single player on the planet with the experience and skills set to cover seamlessly for Rodri. So if we need two players to cover for him that affects our formation somewhere else on the field.
I think that's why Pep rarely substitutes Rodri until the game is already won.
Kalvin can only play his defensive midfielder role effectively as one of a double pivot like he does with Rice for England. I expect Pep will play him in a double pivot at Newcastle & also at Wolves.
Rodri will play at RB Leipzig.
If the double pivot works for Phillips, Pep may suggest pre-Arsenal that he will play in that game but I think Pep will come up with something unexpected instead !
CTID

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Continually comparing him to Rodri, or even using Rodri as a benchmark is not helpful.

They are DIFFERENT players.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

V Newcastle
Lewis Phillips Nunes

V Wolves
Foden Phillips Nunes

V RedBull
Rodri Phillips Kovacic

V Arsenal
Foden Kovacic Nunes

Maybe Phillips plays with Rodri v Leipzig to give Nunes and/or Foden a rest? Imo it could work with Rodri moving further forward.

Think you forgot about Alvarez. Phillips will start tomorrow and that’s it.

Newcastle:
Phillips, Nunes and ???

Wolves:
Kovacic, Nunes and Alvarez

Leipzig:
Rodri, Nunes/Kovacic and Alvarez/Foden

Arsenal:
Kovacic, Nunes and either Foden or Bernardo, with the other playing on the right.