QUOTE]Absolutely fair enough mate. As you say, we all have different opinions. On your points: 1) Phillips does have pace, but rarely uses it. He is quick when he gets into his stride, but that takes a long, long time. I find that he hesitates and then just tries to bundle past someone, instead of simply running at them with some pace. When he does go past someone with pace, he looks very threatening, but I just don't feel that he does that often enough. A lot of this is down to him appearing to be rather dopey; with the first couple of yards starting with speed of thought. 2) Phillips has provided an end product in a few games...........not all year. Today, having watched the game back, he really didn't offer much by way of threatening crosses, apart from one in the first half to the back post. He also missed a golden opportunity to score. 3) You're right about Hoilett and Kranjcar. As late subs they didn't rate a 6. Hoilett got one purely to wind Swords up!! 4) I don't rate him as highly as most on here I'm afraid. However, I have praised him of late when he's done well. He does have an excellent shot and I think that he would be best suited to playing in a three behind a forward. Playing wide midfield in a 4-4-2 involves serious tracking back and that's one thing that Hoilett for one does a lot better than him. I honestly hope that Matty proves me wrong time after time.[/QUOTE] Phillips is skinning opposition players including Chelsea's today when he's barely got moving. I know he needs a bit too long to get up to full speed but it don't matter much when he's getting past a couple in the process. He was excellent today and as other games recently, our main attacking threat. Him, Sandro or Joey were MOM.
Interesting point about Isla. Both Sandro and another player (apologies can't recall who) both committed professional fouls and took a yellow for the team to prevent players getting through. That was another option for Isla.
Phillips is skinning opposition players including Chelsea's today when he's barely got moving. I know he needs a bit too long to get up to full speed but it don't matter much when he's getting past a couple in the process. He was excellent today and as other games recently, our main attacking threat. Him, Sandro or Joey were MOM.[/QUOTE] He really didn't. As much as I may be affected by the fact that I don't rate him as highly as some, I fear some see our Matty through extremely rose tinted specs.
I don't need to, I can still remember those few hours back! Can't anyway until I'm back in Oslo in nearly 2 weeks.
Morning Col. I am not entirely with you on Phillips. Fabregas should never have been allowed to score that goal through 4 or maybe even 5 QPR players! All I can say is that when Phillips is on the run, the expectation of the crowd is lifted and he does worry the opposing defense. One meter more for Bobby and Phillips' cross leads to a goal and his turn on a sixpence for his own shot was really very good.
The turn was very good, but he should have scored. Look, I know I don't see Phillips in the same light as most on here. If he proves my wrong over a sustained period I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong.
Phillips has taken along time to establish himself and I agree with Col at times he doesn't get involved enough however its all about confidence IMO and our respect we should be giving to our players … Look what we have done to other players … SWP is not a bad player I believe any player reacts on this stage to confidence apart from very special players like Adel who has a natural belief in his own ability and doesn't seem to get affected. I say again it's a culture thing. Taarabt could step into any game and have an impact whereas it sometime takes other players to build confidence or what many on here call arrogance up. Phillips is really expressing himself well at the moment as well as doing his job for the team in defence
I agree with every word of that.......except the last half of the last sentence. Phillips is doing very well going forward, but he is terrible at getting back to help the full back, which is why he is better suited to a different formation imo.
