Kevin Phillips talking about Saints, his time here, and what he thinks now

[Saint-Armstrong]

Kevin Phillips was on Goals on Sunday this morning and Kamara and Shephard started talking to him about Southampton.

 

He said quite a lot about us, so I went back and typed it up.

 

 

 

Kevin Phillips:

 

"I've gotta say, I get horrendous stick when I go back there now. But six years of my life were spent down there, two years as a pro, two as an apprentice and two as a schoolboy."

 

"I've got to say, I made a couple of remarks when I left, and hence the reason I get a lot of stick, but I had two fantastic years there, scored some good goals and the supporters were brilliant, I can't speak highly enough of them."

 

"I'm absolutely delighted they're back in the Premier League, because it's where they deserve to be."

 

"Whenever I pull on a Southampton shirt, I always give it 100%. I enjoyed my time there."

 

"Me and Beatts struck up a great partnership there, Gordon Strachan signed me there and unfortunately Gordon didn't last long."

 

"It was unfortunate when I left there that we had been relegated and Aston Villa, and Premier League football, was too hard for me to turn down."

 

"Really enjoyed my time there, six years of my life spent down there. It's a fantastic place."

 

"I'm delighted to see them back in the Premier League, and delighted to see Rickie Lambert getting called-up, Rickie's earned it."

 

"I don't really remember what I said to be honest, but I stepped on that pitch and got horrendous stick, I thought I was going to get a good reception!"

 

"I apologise to them for whatever I said, but six years of my life were spent at Southampton Football Club, and I still hold them very close to my heart. It's a great football club."

 

"Pochettino's done a very good job, it's always difficult when a foreign manager comes in that doesn't speak an awful lot of English, to get your views and your thoughts across."

 

"He's putting together a good squad, he's made two good, strong signings this year. Particularly Wanyama from Celtic, I think he'll adapt to the Premiership very well. Rickie Lambert again, this will give him a major confidence boost, playing for your country, just before the season starts."

 

"I expect good things from Southampton, it's a great place to play football and they play the game in the right way."

 

"Whether there's a right way to play football, Southampton always seem to play it."

[OldNick]

I can't remember what he said either. I do recall at the final whistle of the relegation day he went straight down the tunnel

[S-Clarke]

When he first joined Villa he gave an interview, which basically stated that he ''Never felt right here'' and ''didn't like it down here, it didn't work out with Beattie etc" TBF it wasn't anything earth shattering and a few of our fans got their knickers in a twist about it, but that's pretty much all that was said.

[Zurichsaint]

There is a whole thread about him from last year, including what he said. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?36784-Kevin-Phillips#.Ugdtb5LWV8F

 

"I'm glad I was able to get away from Southampton, I never really felt happy about joining them.

"It was a move that never really felt right for me and I'm glad I can resurrect my Premiership career."

"My partnership with James [beattie] never really got going.

"But I know I can make my mark and still score goals in the Premiership.

"It's too early to talk about targets but wherever I have played I've always set my sights on 20 goals a season.

"When it became clear Villa wanted me, I didn't want to go anywhere else."

 

If he is out there now speaking highly of the club, then fair play to him. It is all in the past now anyway, and those were some very dark days.

[Appy]

Never understood the stick he gets either.

[Dig Dig]

Especially as the abuse is so vile. Seriously, all over those comments? We have some right precious flowers amongst us.

[Colinjb]

If I remember correctly didn't he have a few marital difficulties while with us?

[Turkish]

If I remember correctly didn't he have a few marital difficulties while with us?

 

His missus was getting a nailed by a bloke who worked in a mobile phone shop whilst he was here.

[SaintRobbie]

He was one of the most clinical finishers I have ever watched at St Mary's. Just didnt seem to miss. To be honest we could do with another Philips right now. I can't help but feel we need another clinical finisher and have a lot of work to do in Defence still after yesterday's - admittedly encouraging - match.

 

I have always had a great deal of time for the little fella. One of England's real greats - European golden boot winner.

 

I think his departure started going wrong from the moment he was rumoured to have entered the Aston Villa dressing room after the game that relegation season at SMS and told them all how much he was looking forward to joining them.

[Appy]

I remember an absolute sitter he missed at St Mary's, against Chelsea maybe?

[Colinjb]

His missus was getting a nailed by a bloke who worked in a mobile phone shop whilst he was here.

 

That was it.

 

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'Affair'+of+football+star+wife.-a0130554907

[SaintRobbie]

There is a whole thread about him from last year, including what he said. http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?36784-Kevin-Phillips#.Ugdtb5LWV8F

 

"I'm glad I was able to get away from Southampton, I never really felt happy about joining them.

"It was a move that never really felt right for me and I'm glad I can resurrect my Premiership career."

"My partnership with James [beattie] never really got going.

"But I know I can make my mark and still score goals in the Premiership.

"It's too early to talk about targets but wherever I have played I've always set my sights on 20 goals a season.

"When it became clear Villa wanted me, I didn't want to go anywhere else."

 

If he is out there now speaking highly of the club, then fair play to him. It is all in the past now anyway, and those were some very dark days.

 

We all grow up.

[Hemel Saint]

Thanks for taking the time to write this all up. thanks.

 

 

For me, I still scowl whenever I saw him play.... but until now, I could not honestly remember why!

I knew it was something he said, but completely forgotten what!

 

so agree with the comments above. Well done for the interview and the kind words, and lets move on...

[Huffton]

Was a great player, but surely he can understand people are going to give him stick when he stuck in a transfer request the day after we were relegated? Theres ways of moving on, he did it the wrong way.

[shurlock]

Edit

Edited 11 August, 2013 by shurlock

[buctootim]

Was a great player, but surely he can understand people are going to give him stick when he stuck in a transfer request the day after we were relegated? Theres ways of moving on, he did it the wrong way.

 

People were giving him stick when he was playing for us and news of the affair came out. Respect cuts both ways

[bpsaint]

I remember an absolute sitter he missed at St Mary's, against Chelsea maybe?

 

Yeah he missed a sitter of a header against them, I remember people getting on his back about it, myself included if I'm being honest. However it later transpired as we know that his mother died about the time of the move so it was understandable if he wasn't bang on form.

[Colinjb]

Yeah he missed a sitter of a header against them, I remember people getting on his back about it, myself included if I'm being honest. However it later transpired as we know that his mother died about the time of the move so it was understandable if he wasn't bang on form.

 

There were at least two things then that really kicked him in the balls when he moved to us. Mother dying and the wife having an affair. A fresh start after two years here and the team's failure (Kev himself did nothing wrong, one of our consistent performers) would be a no brainer really. A few terse words on exit is an understandable emotional response.

[The9]

Phillips saying "I said a couple of things" is the nearest anyone's ever come to finding any evidence of anything problematic that he actually said - I post those comments above basically every time this argument comes around, as there is literally NOTHING online other than the phrases above, and he's not even been critical of the club in that.

 

Won't stop some people though, they'll still be trotting out the completely untrue stuff about Puncheon in jeans in 10 years too.

[The9]

Was a great player, but surely he can understand people are going to give him stick when he stuck in a transfer request the day after we were relegated? Theres ways of moving on, he did it the wrong way.

 

That, at least, is vaguely worthy of criticism.

[CB Fry]

Was a great player, but surely he can understand people are going to give him stick when he stuck in a transfer request the day after we were relegated? Theres ways of moving on, he did it the wrong way.

 

Did this actually happen?

[hutch]

Did this actually happen?

Does it matter? This is SaintsWeb.

[LuckyNumber7]

I remember his comments very well upon leaving, they were much along the same lines as Redkrapp's when he returned to the Skates about not really wanting to be here and couldn't wait to get out. It was a real kick in the teeth for the fans who payed his wages after having to put up with such an awful season and thus I have given him plenty of stick when he's returned.

 

However if those comments are genuine then fair play to him, it was all a long time ago now and should probably be left in the past.

[Junction 9]

How long was he at Villa? I don't recall him playing for them at all.

[jjsaint]

^ He was at Villa for a season I think. Didn't make much of an impact.

 

I never thought that his actions were that bad. He certainly never made it onto my 'grudge' list. And he had a very poor game against us when we played West Brom the penultimate game of the season in 2007/8 (?), when we drew and ended up staying up (just). It seemed he had no intention of scoring against us and relegating us.

[Chez]

I knew Kev from his days as an associate schoolboy at Saints. He was a nice lad and a terrific centre midfield prospect back then. I was over the moon when he signed for us and thought he did a good job for us overall, scoring a few cracking goals along the way. I seem to recall him running rings round Man City at their place at the start of one season. If only he had taken the chances at Fratton and Bucherest he might have become a Saints legend.

 

I thought the comments when he left we slightly misplaced for such a seasoned pro, but they were pretty harmless and I didn't feel any anger towards him at all. He just said that he hadn't settled and things didn't go quite right. Hardly surprising considering his apparent private life at the time.

 

Football fans are always looking for a villain and having been relegated he fitted the bill nicely. I have to say the songs at WBA when we first played them again were amusing, but obviously ruthless. I had to chuckle though when he popped up to score an equaliser right in front of us Saints fans and he gave us all a little smile himself. He certainly had the last laugh that day.

 

I have to say I was gutted he got another deal at Palace. He is bound to score against us. Seriously though, he has been a great player and you have to applaud players that get rejected then fight their way back through the leagues as he did.

[david in sweden]

OK he was good... whilst he was here .

 

A bit sorry he left, but IF he did make denegrating remarks about the club, I'd expect similar sentiments to come from Billy Sharp - when he eventually goes.

 

it's part of the PR game for the media. Along the lines of : " I was never really settled there, but now I'm here you'll see the best of me " yeah, yeah.....

[david in sweden]

Kev . Seriously though, he has been a great player and you have to applaud players that get rejected then fight their way back through the leagues as he did.

 

 

Agree with the sentiment Chez, and we could say the same about Rickie Lambert, too Eh?

[Bucks Saint]

I remember his comments very well upon leaving, they were much along the same lines as Redkrapp's when he returned to the Skates about not really wanting to be here and couldn't wait to get out. It was a real kick in the teeth for the fans who payed his wages after having to put up with such an awful season and thus I have given him plenty of stick when he's returned.

 

However if those comments are genuine then fair play to him, it was all a long time ago now and should probably be left in the past.

 

This. His comments were not as gentle as set out earlier in the thread and they just struck me as totally over the top, and very badly timed, for a club where the fans loved him and we had just had the worst season in decades. But I agree, easily time to move on

[eelpie]

I knew Kev from his days as an associate schoolboy at Saints. He was a nice lad and a terrific centre midfield prospect back then. I was over the moon when he signed for us and thought he did a good job for us overall, scoring a few cracking goals along the way. I seem to recall him running rings round Man City at their place at the start of one season. If only he had taken the chances at Fratton and Bucherest he might have become a Saints legend.

 

I thought the comments when he left we slightly misplaced for such a seasoned pro, but they were pretty harmless and I didn't feel any anger towards him at all. He just said that he hadn't settled and things didn't go quite right. Hardly surprising considering his apparent private life at the time.

 

Football fans are always looking for a villain and having been relegated he fitted the bill nicely. I have to say the songs at WBA when we first played them again were amusing, but obviously ruthless. I had to chuckle though when he popped up to score an equaliser right in front of us Saints fans and he gave us all a little smile himself. He certainly had the last laugh that day.

 

I have to say I was gutted he got another deal at Palace. He is bound to score against us. Seriously though, he has been a great player and you have to applaud players that get rejected then fight their way back through the leagues as he did.

 

Thanks for these memories. I wonder why he did not progress with Saints as a lad. Did we not see his potential, or was he snapped up by another club?

[Plonko]

I remember KP's first goal for us was a belter from about 40 yards out and Le Tiss' comment on Sky afterwards was simply "he's wearing my shirt"

[Golden Balls]

Good player for us, even scored a winner against the skates at home. If only that shot at Fratton went in instead of hitting the post.

 

I remember where I was the day he left and made those comments. My friend was reading them out to me. I remember just thinking "why" as nobody would have blamed him for leaving or given him stick. He brought it on himself for no good reason.

 

Then Peter Crouch did the complete opposite and wrote a letter to thank Southampton for the opportunity. Class.

 

Anyway, there was an apology in that recent interview so time to move on. No more stick from me anyway.

[The9]

This. His comments were not as gentle as set out earlier in the thread and they just struck me as totally over the top, and very badly timed, for a club where the fans loved him and we had just had the worst season in decades. But I agree, easily time to move on

 

His comments are recorded above word for word as reported when he left. There is literally nothing else to suggest he said anything else. What's over the top has been the reaction.

[Bad Wolf]

I was a season ticket holder for 6 years around 2005-2011 and I'm ashamed to admit I was one of the ones singing those disgusting songs about KP and his wife. Am glad to say I've grown up now. Fair play to him for saying this.

 

Would be nice if we could give him a decent-ish reception if he plays against us this season.

 

Cheers for the goals, KP.

[Chez]

Thanks for these memories. I wonder why he did not progress with Saints as a lad. Did we not see his potential, or was he snapped up by another club?

 

As an apprentice I think he started off playing in central midfield, but I think they tried him out at fullback. I am not sure why, he was all about first touch and vision and being able to play in tight areas. You need to get up and down the line at fullback, which never struck me as his game. The club didn't see the potential and he was released. The 1991 Saints side was pretty decent as I recall, so perhaps he just didn't look likely to break into that side. He signed for Baldock and played at the back initially before moving up front when they had injuries and the rest is history.

[The9]

Chez, that Man City match was under Sturrock at the end of 2003/4 - we won 3-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium, Pahars and Phillips both played very well with our more direct wing-based style.

[eelpie]

I was a season ticket holder for 6 years around 2005-2011 and I'm ashamed to admit I was one of the ones singing those disgusting songs about KP and his wife. Am glad to say I've grown up now. Fair play to him for saying this.

 

Would be nice if we could give him a decent-ish reception if he plays against us this season.

 

Cheers for the goals, KP.

 

This

[eelpie]

I was a season ticket holder for 6 years around 2005-2011 and I'm ashamed to admit I was one of the ones singing those disgusting songs about KP and his wife. Am glad to say I've grown up now. Fair play to him for saying this.

 

Would be nice if we could give him a decent-ish reception if he plays against us this season.

 

Cheers for the goals, KP.

 

This

[Chez]

Chez, that Man City match was under Sturrock at the end of 2003/4 - we won 3-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium, Pahars and Phillips both played very well with our more direct wing-based style.

 

that's the one. Was it the first season of the City of Manchester Stadium? I had upper tier seats. It was the first time I have ever seen TV screens showing the game positioned behind the servers in the food bar enabling you to watch the game whilst you queued for a pie. We ran rings round City that day in glorious sunshine. Did BT not play that day then?

[The9]

that's the one. Was it the first season of the City of Manchester Stadium? I had upper tier seats. It was the first time I have ever seen TV screens showing the game positioned behind the servers in the food bar enabling you to watch the game whilst you queued for a pie. We ran rings round City that day in glorious sunshine. Did BT not play that day then?

 

I think it was, I was in the upper tier too. We were 4-3-3 I think.

 

A Niemi, P Telfer, C Lundekvam, D Higginbotham, G Le Saux, D Prutton, Y Folly, R Delap, M Pahars (A Svensson, 84), J Beattie yellow card (F Hall, 89), K Phillips

[Wade Garrett]

His missus was getting a nailed by a bloke who worked in a mobile phone shop whilst he was here.

 

Don't sugar-coat it Turkish.

[The9]

If I remember rightly, there was a story going around that Phillps was also played up front all week with the firsts in training before the fateful Man U Prem relegation match, with Redknapp then choosing to go with Camara and Ormerod on the day.

 

Phillips got on with 20 minutes left and Saints already 2-1 down, we got relegated, and under those circumstances, as well as Redknapp's Crouch-love, you can also understand him wanting to leave and feeling like it wasn't right.

[Cascadia Saint]

Did this actually happen?

 

No, it was actors paid to make us think it did. At least you are questioning the official version of events that's a good start.

 

 

Nice comments though, especially as he really didn't have to say any of it.