Kalvin Phillips...what is different?

Not surprised by Phillips start at all.

Last season he was one of our best performers from August to January but then he really struggled those last few months. He had some amazing games those first few months but lacked consistency and then when the side struggled he did disappear to an extent. Said before that midfielders passing at the club is only as good as the options they have to pass to. Last season little movement in front and to the sides of central midfield didnt help any of our midfielders. Phillips and O'Kane stopped wanting the ball and Forshaw started taking it and then running around in circles for 10 seconds trying to find someone to pass to.

Phillips certainly looks more consistent in this new role with specific instructions but its early days as to whether he can maintain it for 44 more games.

comment by The Radz Stuff (U19827)
posted 2 minutes ago
KP, Klich, Saiz, Roofe, they are all like new signings. I have given up trying to understand what Bielsa says. He's the existential zen master wrapped up in a cuddly bundle of obsessive compulsivity. But his impact on these players in such a short period of time is monumental. How many of us had given up on some or all of them by the end of last season? And now look at them! They could all play for their national teams.
There are questions about whether we can sustain this intensity and skill in our play, but you know what? I don't care. I am just loving see our boys play football. We have seen two games which eclipse just about everything since we were relegated. I never thought I would see a cross like Pablo's from the byline for Alioski, or a feint in the box by Roofe to smash the ball into the net, or that cross by Alioski for Roofe...and the season has hardly started.
Let's enjoy it for all it is worth!
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It puts Radz’s rant into perspective doesn’t it.

Rights or wrongs of him going public he was correct that the players weren’t giving (or able to give) 100% last season.

We now seem to know why - the ability is there it just needed coaching out of (or into) them.

As Wilko said - the sum of the total is greater than the ability of the individuals - or words to that effect.

Very wise words from Stoopo via Sgt Wilko.

Side before self et all

Nice one Rich. I should've remembered it was you.

The improvement curve in Phillips game so far this season has been extraordinary and long may it continue.

It's a shining example of what good coaching can do.
Another thought and some have touched upon it is mentally if Phillips has been given a clear brief about what he needs to do and he is totally focussed on delivering it, it helps clear his mind.

An analogy I would use and I am not trying to liken KP to this legend is Radebe. In the most part under Wilkos last years Radebe's role was a bit confusing with him being in and out of side in midfield one game in defence the next and he was a shadow of the player he would become.

However George Graham and O Leary got to work with him and we saw what he was all about, "tackle, intercept, pass simple, inspire". They saw what his true strengths were gave him the brief and he went out and did it brilliantly

Now KP is a different player to Radebe but maybe there are some parallels in the way a new coach has identified his key attributes and found a way to get the best out if them.

The other thing not noticed is that KP has that role to himself. How many times over the last couple of seasons have we seen two players in that position, across O'Kane, Vieira, Phillips, Forshaw.

Our coaching was too damn defensive-minded without instilling in them that defending comes from the front and everyone is a defending player when the opposition have the ball (just not necessarily physically "in defence".

KP is doing the Batty role, and I hope he grows into it to be as good as he was - and maybe chip in with a lot more goals than Batty did too. Although Batts' goal at Man City was great to see in person - he made it a bit of a habit v them. Hope KP likes the game more than Batts did though

comment by Long Short Tall (U19233)
posted 2 hours, 46 minutes ago
The other thing not noticed is that KP has that role to himself. How many times over the last couple of seasons have we seen two players in that position, across O'Kane, Vieira, Phillips, Forshaw.

Our coaching was too damn defensive-minded without instilling in them that defending comes from the front and everyone is a defending player when the opposition have the ball (just not necessarily physically "in defence".

KP is doing the Batty role, and I hope he grows into it to be as good as he was - and maybe chip in with a lot more goals than Batty did too. Although Batts' goal at Man City was great to see in person - he made it a bit of a habit v them. Hope KP likes the game more than Batts did though
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Spot on!

...other point is if you are going to defend al a mourinho style then you need the players to counter attack with speed and precision and invariable the end product being a goal.

We never seemed to have the pace and quality to achieve this.

A few additions, a Manager from Argentna instead of the footballing of hot beds of Swansea , Cyprus or Barnsley and a complete reversal of tactics I.e as LST states best way to defend is by having the ball in their half - what a turnaround.

Kelvin Beckenbaur