West Ham United: Harry Redknapp shares Kalvin Phillips verdict after recent controversy
Harry Redknapp has urged West Ham fans to support Kalvin Phillips despite controversy as the midfielder was filmed swearing at them after the loss against Newcastle.
As the Hammers prepare for the Premier League clash against Tottenham on 2 April, Redknapp has urged fans to get behind him because they don’t need any negativity during the game.
The former boss insisted that everybody makes mistakes in the heat of the moment, and Phillips will regret his actions now but called for all parties to move on.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [2 April, 08:12], Redknapp shared: “We react sometimes. You’re getting abused and you regret actions after you’ve done them. He’s a great lad and he made a mistake, you can’t react like that, but it’s all part of the game.
“I hope they give him a good reception if he plays [against Spurs] and I hope he does well. His career has gone downhill since he went to Man City, he needs to get it back up and running again and let’s hope if he plays he has a good night.
“He probably won’t get in the team. Saturday he wasn’t in, he came off the bench. It’s difficult because he’s not in great form and if he’s got that hanging over his head, he probably wouldn’t be in my team.
“It doesn’t help the team if there’s a section of the fans that have got the hump and are giving him a bit of grief, they need the fans and they’ve got great support. Tonight is going to be passionate, they don’t need any negative vibes.”
Kalvin Phillips controversy continues at West Ham
The clash against Newcastle, in which the Hammers conceded three goals in 13 minutes to overturn their 3-1 lead, saw the latest instalment of Phillips’ nightmare loan move to the London Stadium that has made a huge dent in his reputation.
However, Redknapp’s calls for all parties to move on after the incident happened in the heat of the moment is entirely fair. This comes after Jeff Stelling insisted his sympathy lies with Phillips rather than the fans abusing him.
Having sections of the fanbase who are constantly negative or complaining, whether it’s about the recent Phillips situation or the ongoing discussion over the future of David Moyes does nothing to help the team.
Phillips has struggled since moving on loan to the London Stadium, but constant criticism and abuse will do nothing to help the situation, as he will need the support of the fans to help him get back on track.
In other West Ham news, Jamie Carragher has shared a Moyes exit verdict.
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