Alan Brazil makes Jamie O’Hara apologise for unfair criticism of Kalvin Phillips
Jamie O’Hara launched an attack on Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips out of nowhere on Thursday.
The talkSPORT pundit was discussing Raheem Sterling and the England team alongside host Alan Brazil when he blasted Gareth Southgate for his use of Phillips.
Brazil was taken aback by the comments, and quickly defended Phillips, leading O’Hara to back down.
On talkSPORT Breakfast O’Hara blurted out angrily, “Who knows what Gareth’s doing, he plays Kalvin Phillips.
“That’s a bit harsh, that was a knee-high tackle right there. Poor Kalvin, he’s not had a mention all day,” Brazil responded.
And the host’s words led O’Hara to backtrack quickly, saying, “That was disrespectful, I apologise.”
Careful O’Hara
There is an opinion amongst some pundits and England fans that Phillips does not deserve to be in the England team, despite the 25-year-old not putting a foot wrong whenever he has been called up.
If O’Hara is upset with Southgate he can take issue with the England manager without unfairly calling out Phillips.
After all, it is not the player’s fault that he is sometimes selected to partner another deep lying midfielder in Declan Rice.
Instead of firing criticism at Phillips, O’Hara should be praising him, as Phillips performs superbly as the only defensive midfielder for Leeds.
The way he marked Bruno Fernandes out of the game last Sunday suggests is capable of performing the same role for England.
So if O’Hara only wants to see one holding midfielder, he should be calling for Phillips to play rather than slamming him with baseless criticism.
If Phillips was playing for a big six side we are sure he would get more plaudits, but we are confident that one day he will change the minds of all of his doubters.
In other Leeds United news, MOT View: Leeds dealt major setback as new Bayern manager wants ‘brilliant’ transfer target.