Kalvin Phillips is determined to make a success of his loan spell at West Ham United, even if it has not started as well as he had hoped.
The England international arrived from Manchester City at the end of January, hoping to put 18 months behind him during which he won five trophies but started just six matches.
However, Phillips’ spell in Claret and Blue has been challenging so far, with mistakes leading to goals against AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United followed by a sending-off for two bookable offences in Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest.
“They say bad luck comes in threes, so let’s hope I’ve had mine and I can kick on now,” he said, speaking after his best performance in a West Ham shirt was brought to a premature end at the City Ground.”
Phillips will not be available for the home game with Brentford due to a one-match suspension, but is desperate to return to action at Everton on Saturday 2 March and boost the Irons’ challenge for European qualification.
“I’ll be at it at the next game [I play],” he continued. “It’s not fitness. Having said that, I’ve got a few days training now and I’m going to be working as hard as possible.
“There are things you need to do on a football pitch. Okay, I was training with the best team in the world, but games get you sharper. You can train all you like but you are never going to get match fit and match sharp unless you play games, do you?
“So, that’s the reason I’m frustrated and gutted. I wanted this to be a fresh start, to get my head down and go for it. It’s not gone as I would have hoped. Everyone can see that.
“But I know football. I’m experienced enough to know that if I get my head down, grit my teeth and do the basics right that things will turn.
“It’s easy to say, but now I’ve got to do it.”
