Kevin Nolan: Kalvin Phillips ‘really upset’ after what happened in West Ham United v Man United
Kevin Nolan has revealed that Kalvin Phillips was “really upset” after the West Ham defeat against Manchester United on 4 February.
Speaking to talkSPORT on Thursday (8 February), the Hammers coach said the England international is “finding his feet” after he made an error that led to the Red Devils scoring in their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
But he believes the 28-year-old is going to be an “absolutely tremendous” signing for the Irons and that he is “really looking forward” to what the midfielder can do for the club over the next few months after making his loan move from Manchester City in the January transfer window.
“When you haven’t been playing, when you haven’t had that week in, week out, and you come in and sometimes it takes that little bit of time,” said Nolan. “He is trying to get to know us, us as a unit and what we want because we are going to be totally different to what Manchester City are.
“So he is just finding his feet and I’m sure as soon as he does he is going to be an absolutely tremendous signing for us from now until the end of the season. I am really looking forward to it and, to be honest, I can’t knock him, he is a great kid, he wants to work hard. You could see he was really upset after the weekend.”
Kalvin Phillips should come good for West Ham
It was a situation where everyone knew it was going to take a bit of time for Phillips to get up to speed after he’s played very little football over the past couple of years.
It perhaps wasn’t a wise decision by Moyes to start him straight away in the game against Bournemouth on 1 February, having only been at the club for a matter of days.
After he made a mistake in the opening couple of minutes that led to a Cherries goal, that may have knocked his confidence before he came off the bench against Man United.
It could be a few weeks before the Englishman can start games consistently as he looks to get match-fit and gets to know his new teammates.
After getting a full week of training under his belt since the game at Old Trafford, it will be interesting to see whether or not Moyes names him in the starting lineup for the clash against Arsenal on Sunday (11 February) at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have completed a new behind-the-scenes appointment.
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