Still in Malaysia (3 weeks left!) so first chance to see new-look team yesterday, game was live on Astro. Have to say, well impressed with Matty Phillips. Attacking, great control, strong on the ball and quick. A few more games under his belt to build up fitness and I reckon he could be player of the season. Also great to see players (from both sides) just getting on and playing football - no moaning, diving, arguing etc and trying really hard. Much better than that dross at the end of last season. Like a bigger, stronger Wayne Routledge. Am sure he is gonna get a few goals and also set Austin up for a number too. On another note, if we play with two up front I'm sure Austin would e a lot more effective. He is not a hold-up player and looks isolated. Also, quite impressed with AJ on the wing. Hoilett and his spaghetti hamstrings!!!! Result yesterday was affects massively by forced subs. Can't wait to be back in the Upper Loft in December. RTID
Have fun mate, but I cant see much tempting me back to blighty right now...maybe a holiday once a year but thats about it for me...ATM
Agreed, Phillips was impressive and gave us some real threat down the right flank. AJ looked very sharp as well and I think he should start upfront with Austin against Charlton who shipped four against Leeds yesterday...
At the moment it is Col. You and I seem to agree often but this lad looks a class act to me. I don't think it will be long until you change your mind.
His final ball yesterday was poor. He is good running with the ball and works hard but he has to do a lot better with his shooting and crossing
Most around us at the game were complaining about him, because he just refused to try to go past the full back. Very strange.
Well I was one that was not convinced but I think in the last couple of games he has started to show the potential we thought he had. Keeps improving he'll be cracking after Xmas. With Simpson\Phillips Assou\JNR we have massively attacking wings something Harry has always liked and I tend agree with him.
He started off awful but hes been pretty good the last two games, at least now I can see the promise of what he can do. Not something you see when you watch the likes of SWP play.
Col, I share your sceptisim on both Phillips and Kranjcar. To date, I am not convinced by either yet. My initial reaction to Philips was that he is a very good championship player but is not quite a Premiership player, similar to Mackie.
I think Phillips has improved, which wasn't difficult tbh, but I'm yet to be convinced. Hope he proves me wrong. Kranjcar simply looks totally out of condition and would lose a foot race against Hill!
I think taking on the last defender is a confidence thing and that will come, even so regular starts.
I am surprised at comments that he played very well against Reading. That's not how I saw it. He is certainly improving but his earlier performances were underwhelming (to put it kindly). Hopefully he is yet to show us what he is truly capable of.
He is far from match fit after being out for quite a while with a broken arm. Judge him in 10 games time, this lad has the ability to go far.
I think people forget he's only 22 because he's such a big lump. He had a long layoff followed by a recurrence of the injury V Yeovil, that's bound to affect a young player. He's starting to look decent, and will only improve.
We only saw Phillips in fits and starts though due to him joining us with an injury and not being match fit. Not sure how people can be harsh on the lad when he hasn't even had a proper run in the team yet. Kranjcar had a brilliant debut where he looked as though he'd walk this league, but has failed to live up to that since (albeit he's been injured too). I see enough signs from both of them to believe they'll come good very soon.
