Pompey boss praise for Super Kev

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp today prepared to face former charge Kevin Phillips and insisted the Albion striker could still score Premier League goals.

Phillips scored nine times in 18 matches for Redknapp during the pair’s brief time together at Southampton.

And Redknapp still believes the 34-year-old could still have an impact in the top-flight, even joking he might ‘nick’ the former England man when his Baggies contract expires in the summer.

Redknapp said: “I had Kevin at Southampton and he was fantastic, a smashing bloke and a great lad.He’s a terrific player, real quality, and a great finisher.

“He can definitely still play in the Premier League, he would score goals, definitely.

“He knows how to play the game. His movement is fantastic, he spins off people and gets in the holes behind you. He’s a class player.”

And Redknapp compared Phillips to Pompey striker Jermain Defoe, who is cup-tied for tomorrow’s Wembley semi-final.

“He reminds me of Jermain in lots of ways,” said Redknapp.

“They’re not big so they have to be clever. They have to move and know what they are doing.

“They’ve also got that eye for goal. Over time there have been lots of people who have not been big but have still been the best goalscorers.

“Jimmy Greaves was the best goalscorer I’ve ever seen. He wasn’t very big but had that movement and he could do things.

“Jermain and Kevin are also like that. Both of them are top class. I actually tried to get Kevin here at some stage. I did like him at lot when I worked with him.

“I thought he was a terrific professional. Apparently he’s out of contract in the summer – I might nick him!”

Phillips is not the only Baggies player who Redknapp believes could be a top-flight hit if Tony Mowbray’s men reach the Premier League this season.

And it’s that ability he believes that will ensure the task of reaching the FA Cup final is even tougher.

He said: “It’s another tough game because they do keep the ball. They can play.

“I think they’ve got quite a few players who teams would fancy in the Premier League, make no mistake about that.”

“I could name four or five I would definitely fancy.

“They’ve got some quality players, they are the best footballing team in the Championship without a doubt.”