01-04-2018, 00:05
I think Phillips has the ability to be a good player; he's passes well, can shoot and he can beat a man. However, he's very much a confidence player. This year his confidence has been battered and he's looked useless at times.
That said, I don't think he's been helped by circumstance. Last season, when he was playing well, there was more to his game than just whipping crosses in. He was coming inside, shooting and laying balls through. He was really coming into his own when playing with Chadli, this season he hasn't had anyone to 'play' with.
Like Josh, I feel he would flourish in a free role because he can travel with the ball at pace and play a bit. Against Liverpool he played just off the top, centrally and looked good. We broke at pace in that game and when he was one on one, he took the defenders on and got shots in. I feel rather than playing with Rondon and Rodriguez up top, we'd be far more balanced with either of these and Phillips, but Pardew can't seem to see that.
If we get a footballing manager next season and Phillips stays, he will do well in the Championship. He scored plenty from midfield for a very average QPR team at that level. At the moment, he's almost in that mould where he's too good for the Championship but not consistent enough for the Premiership. I don't think his style really suits a 'grafting' side though.
That said, I don't think he's been helped by circumstance. Last season, when he was playing well, there was more to his game than just whipping crosses in. He was coming inside, shooting and laying balls through. He was really coming into his own when playing with Chadli, this season he hasn't had anyone to 'play' with.
Like Josh, I feel he would flourish in a free role because he can travel with the ball at pace and play a bit. Against Liverpool he played just off the top, centrally and looked good. We broke at pace in that game and when he was one on one, he took the defenders on and got shots in. I feel rather than playing with Rondon and Rodriguez up top, we'd be far more balanced with either of these and Phillips, but Pardew can't seem to see that.
If we get a footballing manager next season and Phillips stays, he will do well in the Championship. He scored plenty from midfield for a very average QPR team at that level. At the moment, he's almost in that mould where he's too good for the Championship but not consistent enough for the Premiership. I don't think his style really suits a 'grafting' side though.