Boss Kieran McKenna feels loan midfielder Kalvin Phillips is in a much better rhythm and believes he can have a good impact in the next few months as Town look to avoid the drop.

Phillips, 29, joined the Blues on loan from Manchester City in the summer after a frustrating couple of seasons following his £42 million switch from hometown club Leeds United.

Having made only two league starts for City in 18 months after that July 2022 move and then just three in a half-season loan spell at West Ham from January last year.

For Town, he has made 10 starts in the Premier League as well as three further appearances from the bench and three starts in the cups.

“He’s played a good number of games,” McKenna said regarding the England midfielder’s involvement since joining Town. “With the 10 starts, he’s probably been unavailable for maybe six games or so, six or seven possibly with the suspension and with the niggling ankle injury he had.

“So he’s played a good number of games. I think he’s improving. Of course, we all want things to accelerate really quickly but 10 starts considerably more league starts than he’s made in the last two seasons.

“Ten league starts, I think he’s improving as the season goes on and he’s in a much better rhythm now then when he arrived and hopefully that will continue and he can have a really big impact in the last bit of the season.

“Of course, there’s really good competition in midfield. Jens Cajuste has been excellent, really, when he’s played and has really stepped up and delivered a really high level of performance and Samy [Morsy] is the captain but has been consistent with his performances as well.

“I think Kalvin has shown good qualities over the course of the season and is hungry to help the team and I think is building up to a pretty good rhythm, and we feel he can have a good impact and a good part to play in the next few months.”

Photo: Matchday Images

flykickingbybgunn added 18:09 - Feb 13 He played well at Cov. I think he deserves a run.
3

Leejames99 added 19:12 - Feb 13 Morsy has been consistent at running around pointing, just because he captain shouldn't give him an automatic place in team, let alone the squad, has to be Phillips and Cajuste
-1

Leejames99 added 19:12 - Feb 13 Morsy has been consistent at running around pointing, just because he captain shouldn't give him an automatic place in team, let alone the squad, has to be Phillips and Cajuste
-2

Marinersnose added 19:56 - Feb 13 Phillips should be starting in midfield imo. Although he’s a defensive midfielder his organisation on the field is superb and when he’s in possession he always looks to try and go forwards. He was excellent at Coventry and at Liverpool but I’m afraid he’s not going to get a start. I think this could prove to be costly at the end of the season. Midfield is weak area which needs significantly improvement. Cajuste is decent but he’ll be gone in the summer and we’ll be left with our league one midfield

3

Len_Brennan added 22:14 - Feb 13 I remember him having a very decent game against Vills at home; set up our first goal & was then very unlucky with a great strike, that Martinez did well with. Villa are very strong up front, even without Watkins, they have pace, strength & finishers, so we'll need to cut off the supply to Bailey, Rogers, Arsenio, Ramsey, Malen & Rashford (whoever is playing). Tielemens is a smashing player in midfield for them & creates many of their chances with quality balls in; we need to keep him quiet, and I think Phillips could be the man for the job. Because of their 4 injuries at the back, Kamara has had to drop back to play centre half for them, which will leave Tielemans a bit more exposed. John McGinn is a tidy footballer, but he is not a holding midfielder. I think the key to this game for us is to try & physically dominate midfield & set our own attacks in motion. Phillips & Cajuste can do that.

4

bobble added 10:57 - Feb 14 Villa lose pts in 50% of their home games...
0

Linkboy13 added 11:18 - Feb 15 Our midfield is very weak lacking creativity Cajuste is neat and tidy Sam is finding the going tough after starting the season well and Phillips is not living up to all the hype he is getting on here because of his reputation.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls