Kalvin Phillips has faced a tumultuous start to his tenure at West Ham United, prompting teammate Michail Antonio to shed light on the midfielder’s struggles.
Recruited on loan from Manchester City in January by manager David Moyes, Phillips, 28, arrived with high expectations. However, his transition to life at the London Stadium has been far from smooth, with lackluster performances and costly errors plaguing his outings.
Despite the challenging start, Moyes remains optimistic about Phillips’ potential impact for the Hammers. However, doubts linger over whether the midfielder can fulfill those expectations, given his underwhelming displays so far.
Phillips’ statistics paint a sobering picture of his struggles on the pitch. With a pass completion rate of just 79%, minimal defensive contributions, and crucial errors leading to goals, it’s evident that he has yet to find his footing in Moyes’ setup.
So, what lies at the root of Phillips’ woes at West Ham? According to Antonio, it all boils down to confidence—or the lack thereof. Speaking on the BBC’s Footballer’s Football Podcast, Antonio emphasized the importance of supporting Phillips during this challenging period. He stressed that while criticism from fans is inevitable, rallying behind Phillips is essential for his resurgence.
The midfielder’s confidence has seemingly taken a hit, compounded by his prolonged spell on the sidelines prior to joining West Ham. Antonio underscored the need for unity within the club, urging fans to stand by Phillips as he strives to rediscover his form.
However, Phillips’ reaction to criticism during the Newcastle fixture raised eyebrows and drew condemnation. His offensive gesture towards disgruntled supporters showcased a lack of professionalism and exacerbated an already delicate situation.
Antonio told the BBC’s Footballer’s Football Podcast exactly why Phillips how found it such tough going at West Ham so far:
“It’s always confidence, that’s exactly what it is, you don’t lose your ability overnight. Like the gaffer said the other day, we just need to put our arm around him and let him know we all believe in him. That’s what the main part of it is. Obviously fans want you to turn up and just do the job, but life just doesn’t work that way. We haven’t got a big squad so he’s going to get another opportunity. We need the fans to back him instead of getting at him, because right now and at least for the next six weeks, he’s a West Ham player so try to build him so that he can help us, instead of knock him down so that he doesn’t.”
The road ahead won’t be easy for Phillips, but with unwavering support from teammates, management, and fans alike, he can overcome his current struggles and make a meaningful contribution to West Ham’s campaign.
While Phillips’ stint at West Ham has been marred by setbacks, there’s still hope for redemption. With confidence as the key catalyst, the midfielder can overcome his challenges and carve out a successful spell at the London Stadium. As the club navigates the trials of the season, unity and backing for Phillips will be instrumental in his journey towards resurgence and redemption.