FA Cup specialist Ishmael Miller fears the Wembley axe in favour of Kevin Phillips despite hitting the hat-trick that fired Albion to the semi-finals.
Miller is the Baggies’ leading FA Cup scorer this season with five goals including his quarter-final treble while Phillips has yet to start a match in the competition. But Miller believes 22-goal Phillips will get the nod against Portsmouth on Saturday – a move that could spell personal heartbreak..
“It’s going to be tough because everybody is going to want to play,” said Miller.
“But Kev is a big-name player so he will probably start and he will probably score.
“We all know what Kev is like. He is always in the right place at the right time because he is a good finisher.
“He is one of the best strikers I have trained with and I have learned from a few strikers this year.
“His record says it all when you look at the goals he has scored and I have to learn from players like that.
“Everybody is rooting for everybody else to do well.”
A start for Miller would pit him against former Manchester City team mate David James, whose form for Pompey has restored him to the role of England number one.
And Miller admits taking on his former Eastlands colleague will be a huge task against a man he describes as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
“He is unbeatable at the moment as he showed at the weekend,” said Miller.
“He is a great goalkeeper. He is one of the best I have ever seen or worked with.
“He is probably my favourite goalkeeper at the moment from the ones I have seen and he is probably one of the best in the world, but hopefully we can get it done.
“He is a great professional who wants to do everything to the best of his ability.
“Everything has to be perfect and right. He is a great trainer and I like him as a man but hopefully I will be able to beat him on Saturday and there will be a few little taunts after the game.”
22 Comments
Don’t worry Ish - KP may or may not start, but you will definately get on at wembley - and so will Roman.
Hard choice for TM on saturday, all our forwards have earned their right to play, but I think KP will get the start.
KP will get two in the forst half and then will be rested for the wolves match. One each from Ish and Roman will do nicely too.
dont worry ish,you can play in the final,boing boing cant wait its so exciting aint it
lol happy….if only it was that simple…..a lot depends on what formation Mowbray plays,he does have 2 options…4-5-1,which surely means Bednar as the lone striker or 4-4-2 which surely means Bednar and Philips,either way i think Miller will be on the bench and hopefully he’ll come on with 15-20mins left and run pompey ragged………….ALL THE BEST LADS…….Boing Boing Goin 2 Wembley
Happy - if you are going to Wemberlee, I hope you don’t rely on the countdown clock on the Express & Star web site.
I’m sure it’s indicating a 12:45 kick off when I thought you kick off at 12:15.
Being late for the kick off the Mowbray/Mowbury way!
where is wemberlee??????????????
4… Hopefully thats the time Pompey wait till they turn up lol
Good Afternoon People,
i have just rang ”The Green Man Hotel & Pub” which is literally 5 mins from Wembley Stadium Station, They are opening at 10am and doing a BBQ breakfast type thing.
i asked if they would oopen any earlier and she said that if there are people around outside then they would probably just end up letting them in early.
IF YOUR ALL GOING TO WEMBLEY CLAP YA HANDS!!!
wba 4 life
I’m sure the more hardcore/sensible fans amongst you would understand where Wemberlee is.
Ask Happy, Bomber etc I’m sure they’ll explain.
happy baggie why would he be rested for the wolves game???? when you ahve another game in between??
Could play whole of your squad at the same time and still lose to Pompey.They are quality and their name is on the cup this year.Still,enjoy the day lads and hope you see loads of goals like you enjoy(LEICESTER,COLCHESTER etc).Letting in goals the Mowbray way.Just can’t wait for this one.See you all on Monday to say told you so.
10, How jealous are you!!!
Get a life mate, you are on cloud 9 just because you have an outside chance of reaching the play offs!!!
We are going to Wembley on merit, win or lose it will be a great day out… FA CUP Semi Finalists is only a fantasy in dingleland!!!!!
IF YOUR ALL GOING TO WEMBLEY CLAP YOUR HANDS!!!
I was dreading the game after the Leicester and Colchester goals against but now I can’t wait. With Clem back and in form, Brunt and Morrison playing well, and Kev and Gera fresh, plus all Pompy’s injuries I can’t wait! Mate of mine’s a big Pompy fan and I can tell you he’s dreading it. Extra time 2-1 bagies win. Baggiiiieeeessss!!!!
11… I agree about 10 What a completly stupid statement we could play our entire squad of , how many players in the squad 18 against pompey’s 11 and still not win.
We all know you are green with evny because you aint been to Wembley, We all know you hate everthing “Albion” but please stop posting utter rubbish
Win or lose its the FA cup semi and I dont care what rubbish you spout off any wolves fan would love to be in a position to win the cup.
Anyway you get yourself a couple of beers ready and watch the cup game it will be the first one you have had interest in since january when you lost in the 3rd round
if wolves would of had the same games in the cup you have had we would be in the semis! saying that you can only beat whos put in front of you, good job you didnt draw leicester at home!!! leaking goals the mowbray saying thankyou very much and sticking a hatrick past the tescos the ebanks blake way!
13 - could have swore we went out in the fifth round
Didn’t the dingles get knocked out by Morecombe?
7,thankstam,great we are having a bbq and a pint before the game,boing boing not taking a picnic to wembley
WORCESTER DO YOU AND THE MRS WANT KETCHUP ON YOUR BURGER BOING BOING 1/4 POUND CUP BURGER PLEASE WITH ONIONS
Just been looking at the wolves run in .theyv;e got no chance of reaching the play offs.So DINGLES wake up and smell the coffee.God you lot are so bloody jelous of us baggies going to WEMBLEY.BOING BOING BOING
tel make them beers long and cool cos weem on our way to wembeeerrrrlllleeeeyyyy to have a party,,,wave to the dinglets in dingleville cos they is staying at home,,,,HAVING A BEER AT WEMBLEY THE MOWBRAY WAY,,,,,OH YES..
ooopps forgot about your cup run
In all seriousnes (Is that a word ?) I was guessing at what round
win on saturday and then the final push for the league,not forgetting the dingles cup final on the 15th.boing boing