BBC Sport pundit makes Kalvin Phillips prediction at West Ham United live on air
Former Aston Villa and Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has predicted Kalvin Phillips to get a good run of matches at West Ham.
The verdict comes after the midfielder gave away a goal shortly after coming off the bench against Manchester United on Sunday (4 February).
The Manchester City loanee was also at fault for Bournemouth’s goal against the Hammers on Thursday (1 February).
“He hasn’t played for a long time has he?” Downing said on the Football Daily podcast on BBC (4 February). “Kalvin looks to me like he needs games for his fitness, he just looks a bit sluggish, a yard off it, you can see it in players when they just haven’t got that spring in them.
“It would have been nice for him not to have made the mistakes, because it’s getting highlighted now, everything he does now is going to be a big thing.
“But he just needs to stick at it, keep going, keep training well. I’m sure he’ll get a good run of games, he’s still got plenty of time.”
Phillips struggling at West Ham
Phillips really hasn’t had the best of times in recent years, with the midfielder having struggled for minutes at Manchester City after starring for Leeds United.
It was obvious that a change was needed for the England international, and that finally arrived in the recent transfer window, with Phillips making a loan switch to the London Stadium.
But his debut against Bournemouth did not go to plan, with the midfield man giving away possession early on to allow Dominic Solanke to score at the London Stadium.
Hammers manager David Moyes then opted to bench Phillips for the trip to Old Trafford, before bringing him on in the 72nd minute.
But not long after it was a similar story, with the former Leeds ace caught in possession, with Alejandro Garnacho finding the back of the net immediately after.
His England spot is now under real threat, and the 28-year-old needs a remarkable turnaround in form if he is to succeed in East London.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are now owed an apology after an “incomprehensible” transfer window development.
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