Kevin Phillips urges Norwich City to stick with Philippe Clement

Kevin Phillips believes Norwich City should give Philippe Clement more time to turn their season around after their 3-1 victory at Charlton Athletic last weekend offered some much-needed encouragement.

The Canaries had suffered five consecutive Championship defeats before Saturday’s comeback win at The Valley, easing the pressure on Clement after a difficult start to the campaign.

Norwich remain close to the foot of the table after taking 12 points from their opening 12 matches, but Phillips hopes the result can provide the platform for a revival.

Clement enjoyed a strong start to his previous spell at Rangers, going 14 games unbeaten, before results began to deteriorate.

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Clement deserves time

Phillips believes comparisons with his time in Scotland are understandable but insists Norwich should resist making a change, particularly after their latest result.

“It’s so easy, isn’t it, to make comparisons, especially because of his spell at Rangers,” the former Sunderland and England international striker told BestBettingSites.co.uk.

“And you have to look at why it’s going wrong. It could potentially happen that they let him go, but I think you stick with him.

“They had a fantastic result last game out, winning 3-1 away at Charlton. An excellent result.

“Hopefully that can be the platform now that really kickstarts their season.

“But obviously, if it continues, then action might have to be taken. I hope it doesn’t, because I believe he’s a very good manager.

“We saw that last season. Just give him a bit more time. I think this game now coming up is huge for Norwich.

“They need to get back-to-back wins.”

Norwich face fellow strugglers Watford at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Phillips hails Will Lankshear’s goalscoring instinct

Phillips has also backed Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear, insisting there is nothing wrong with being labelled a ‘poacher’ when scoring goals is his job

The 21-year-old has been in outstanding form since joining Boro from Tottenham Hotspur in a summer deal that could rise to £20m.

Lankshear’s 11 goals in his first 12 Championship appearances have helped him to lead the division’s scoring charts and propel the Teessiders to the top.

“I don’t listen to all that media rubbish about him being just a ‘poacher’,” he added. “I don’t read it – it just makes me laugh.

“What do you bring a striker in to do? Score goals, end of. And that’s what he’s done.

“Listen, there’d be loads of teams in the Premier League and in the rest of the Championship who would love a poacher like Will Lankshear. So those comments just make me laugh.

“I understand why people say it, but he’s been brought in to do a job.

“And as a manager, I imagine he’s saying to him, hold it up, get in the box, get in and around the six-yard box and get goals.

“And that’s what he’s done. That’s what he’s paid to do.

“So, it makes me laugh when I hear comments like that. He’s the Championship’s top goalscorer. Not bad for a poacher.”

Kevin Phillips’ comments were made in an exclusive interview for BestBettingSites.co.uk.

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