Ipswich Town column: Why are so many people desperate to see Kalvin Phillips fail?

What is the obsession with mainstream media desperate to see Kalvin Phillips fail?

I thought the 28-year-old was excellent on Saturday and had he not been on the wrong side of one of the worst refereeing performances I've ever seen, would've been in contention for man of the match.

It's so bizarre. It's almost as if people are getting a kick out of seeing him fail.

I don't get it and to be honest, I feel gutted we're now without him for the next game. He had been good the last two.

We all criticise players, that's football, we pay the money and we're allowed too. I don't agree when it becomes personal and especially if they're responsible for previous successes for the club. Wes Burns comes to mind.

Now this may be nothing, but the Welshman has deleted all traces of Ipswich Town on his Instagram this week. Which apparently in 2024, is a big deal.

We've also seen Nathan Broadhead's mum tweet about how her son deserves more minutes. This does make me sad. Whilst players have to be able to take the rough with the smooth, people like Wes and Broady have been influential to why we find ourselves here in the first place.

Should they be excused for underperforming? No, but I do think we should remember moments they've given us before and stick with them, rather than against. I have no doubt they will play their part this season.

I've managed to get this far into the column without talking about Tim Robinson and VAR.

Truthfully, I'm done with it and whatever I say now isn't going to change anything, but both his and VAR's performance on Saturday was disgusting.

Not only was the performance shocking, but the arrogance to make it all about yourself whilst having absolutely no idea what you're doing was unbelievable.

Mr Robinson is not fit to referee a game of headers and volleys down the park, but neither are his so-called 'assistants' up in VAR.

Read more: Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton to meet with referees’ chief over VAR decisions ‘injustice’

A complete shambles and one I hope they are punished for. They won't be though will they.