KEVIN Phillips says Sunderland will have a scrap on their hands at Selhurst Park tomorrow as Crystal Palace target the Wearsiders for their first win of the campaign. The Black Catsâ goalscoring legend, now 40 and enjoying his swansong Premier League season, has warned Sunderland it would be fatal to come down from the North East with any sense of complacency. And he says no-one should be too surprised if newly-promoted Palace get their season up and running at the expense of Paolo Di Canioâs men. Phillips told the Echo: âWeâve got a decent side and we havenât been too far off in the couple of league games weâve played so far. âOur first game was against Spurs at home and we only went down to a disputed penalty, and then Stoke was a typically tough game at the Britannia, but again we only lost by the odd goal. âSo there hasnât been much in it and we think weâre getting there. âThe Sunderland game is definitely one the club has targeted because home form is so important to newly-promoted sides. âAnd when the club looked at the first few opening fixtures â Spurs you might catch on the hop on the first day, followed by Sunderland, Swansea and Fulham â there was a feeling that there were definitely points there for the club to pick up. âIn terms of Sunderland, theyâre a team that have had a lot of changes over the summer and are still getting used to playing together, so that might work to Palaceâs benefit.â Phillips, scorer of 113 goals during six years spent at Sunderland from 1997-2003, admits he is looking forward to Palaceâs game at the Stadium of Light in March in the hope he will be involved. But he says tomorrowâs visit of Sunderland will still be special to him personally. He said: âI think everyone knows what a great time I had there and how special it was. âI think the last half-dozen times Iâve gone to the stadium, Iâve expected it to be my last visit. âThis season I genuinely think it will be. âBut Iâm looking forward to the Sunderland game tomorrow. Obviously Iâve to be professional and perform to the very best of my ability to get Palace the best result possible. âBut Iâve still got a great attachment to Sunderland and Iâm looking forward to seeing the fans. âSunderland are one of the best supported teams in the capital â thereâs a very strong London branch as well, and they always make sure thereâs a cracking atmosphere at any ground they visit.â
SKP certainly knows his stuff regarding the fans. Hopefully he's way out with their chances of beating us!!
In an ideal world we'll be 3-0 up and SKP will score a 'worldly' (Chelsea) in the 90th minute at our end! Legend!
Now that would be just a brilliant scenario mate. I cant wait to welcome the little fella back to the SOL and give him a goodbye he will never forget. One of the greatest players ever to pull on the shirt in our history and I have gone on record as saying in the near 40 years following SAFC, he is the best footballer (not just striker) I have seen wear the shirt. He was fantastic technically, pace, passing, heading shooting and could hit it with either foot. His overall awareness and quality was evident in every game and if there was a better signing in the last 40 years I'd like to know who it was? Oh and he is STILL the ONLY Englishman to win the European Golden Boot and as a Sunderland player. Legend is hardly a worthy title imo.
Still wish he played for us. With seven subs on the bench, one of them can be the 15 minute impact striker and he is still one of the best around. Chasing a game, bringing on Ji or Kevin Phillips, I know what I'd prefer.
Oi you! Not so much of the little fella, , he's the same hight as me, lol. Seriously though, the man is a legend to us & let's be honest about it, he owes us nowt. I love the bloke.
Pocket rocket kidda eh? Lol Agree he owes us nowt and his goals give me the best 4 years watching the club. With Quinny, Summerbee & Johnson I felt almost invincible every game.
He's a top bloke. Let's hope the 3:1 scoreline to us prevails, and he gets a standing ovation from our fans. Best player to wear the shirt in my lifetime, too. Fantastic attitude and application of his skills - he always tried. He certainly owes us nowt as the lads have said. in fact we owe him a fantastic reception to make up for some of the meek/mixed thanks he's received from us over the years.