Clinton Morrison: Grimes to Coventry, Champions League favourites and Watkins' future
Will Jackson 
Scott Mcglynn
Popular pundit Clinton Morrison has joined up with the Freebets.com team this season to discuss the biggest games and talking points each week in the EFL.
The former Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Republic of Ireland striker will be giving his views and predictions on the pick of the matches each week, as well going over some of the hot topics in the football world.
This week we discuss Matt Grimes' move to Coventry, the success Frank Lampard has had so far, Wrexham's chances of promotio, why Liverpool are the favourites for the Champions League and Aston Villa's striker problems.
Here's a full transcript of everything discussed this week.
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Matt Grimes to Coventry
Q: We're going to focus on Swansea v Coventry to start with, but before we get to that, what do you make of the move to bring in Matt Grimes?
What a signing, what a signing. He has a hell of a left foot. I played with him when I was at Exeter.
It makes me laugh because Grimes has gone and they play Swansea this weekend. So it'd be surprising if he plays. He is a top player with a hell of a left foot.
He takes a great set-piece too, ticks the ball over and is captain at Swansea. They won’t want him to leave but it would be a good move, and Lampard could improve him further. He’s a very experienced Championship player so it ticks a lot of boxes.
Q: It is a significant signing, would you expect more arrivals before the end of the window?
Lampard probably wanted to strengthen the attacking areas and in midfield. Bringing in a player of his quality to the football club is only going to improve the club.
I think it'll be a brilliant signing. As I said, I played with him when he was a youngster and his delivery was fantastic and he could find you from anywhere.
Swansea v Coventry
Q: Frank Lampard has settled in right away at Coventry and they could push for the top six in current form. Are you surprised at how quickly it has worked out?
He’s done well, Frank, but it doesn’t surprise me because the group of players they have are good. If Mark Robins had more time I think he would have done the same with the players, but credit to Frank Lampard.
There was a lot of pressure when he first went in and the results didn’t go according to plan, but now it looks like he's got a good formula, good structure, and the players are playing the way he wants to play.
I think they can go in January and maybe bring in a few more players because there is money there to spend, and I think Coventry have a good chance of getting into the play-offs at the moment because they're on a good run with three wins in a row.
Fair play to Lampard because a lot of people doubted that he would be able to do it. He's gone in there, brought in his own coaching staff and the players are starting to produce now so long may it continue because I'd love to see Coventry back in the Premier League.
Q: Since he's come in he's got 21 out of 36 points. Only the top four and QPR have got more points since he was appointed, which does suggest they are a team properly on the up and have got the momentum, enough momentum to push into that top six
Yeah they have got momentum. I think it's around this time where you always see one team just kick on from anywhere and get into that top six.
The league is so tight that a few results and they're fighting relegation, a few results and you could be close to the play-offs, I just think that's how close the league is this season.
But yeah credit to him because he was under pressure going to Coventry because no one wanted Mark Robins to leave and everyone in the media was surprised he left, but Frank went in there and turned it around. So long may it continue.
Q: And Swansea, they’re having a bit of a struggle? Are they victims of trying to play a certain way?
That's just the football club, isn't it? I think every manager has done that, and Luke Williams is the same. He did that at Notts County.
I think every manager who goes to Swansea has to have that philosophy and it must come from the hierarchy to play that style of football, but if that's your DNA, you have to stick with it. I think the last month the results have turned but before that, they were on a very good run.
I think he's a good manager. I saw a lot of him at Notts County. Hopefully they can turn it around, but it doesn't help when you lose your captain. Hopefully the board can help him and bring in a few players but it's a tough run at the moment and that can happen in the Championship but I think he's the right manager for Swansea.
Champions League
Q: The new Champions League format made it a fun night on Wednesday, it was a bit different, wasn't it? It was a bit crazy but good fun
Yeah, it was good fun. That's why I say this format's brilliant. Maybe if you're playing in it, it's not as good but i think if you're a pundit or a fan you're enjoying it because it gives other teams opportunities to get to the knockout stages.
It was exciting. Obviously it was a bit nerve-wracking for City. They didn't play well in the first half but then second half, they showed their quality.
Liverpool finished top and could still rest nearly their whole team and give a lot of youngsters debuts so I think all in all, it was a good night. The next stage of it is going to be really exciting.
Q: Yeah, City against Real or Bayern. That's going to be a great tie, isn't it?
It's crazy, I can't believe that - that's before you even get into the latter stages!
I bet Bayern and Real Madrid are thinking that even though City are not good at the moment, it's the one team you don't want to play in the Champions League.
Q: You said a few weeks ago that you wouldn't be surprised if City went on to win the Champions League. Do you still think that?
Yeah, I do, but they can't play like how they've been playing. They're so open, even Club Brugge were causing them problems.
Can you imagine playing like that against Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mbappe? You're going to get punished, so they have to be careful. They don't have Kyle Walker anymore to get them out of trouble.
I still think they could go very far because attacking-wise, they're good. But when they're attacking they're so open and I think Bayern and Real would fancy their chances.
Whoever Man City get out of them two, it is going to be a fascinating game. You probably want that to have been a semi-final or a final to be honest.
Q: From what you've seen in that league phase, who would you take as the outright favourites to win the whole thing - aside from Man City?
Liverpool are my favourites. Even though I think City have a good chance, I'd say Liverpool are the favourites. I like Barcelona this year too but I always feel with Barcelona that something could happen.
You just never know, but I think Liverpool look really strong at the moment. There's lots of other top clubs, but Liverpool right now I’d say are the favourites.
You never go against Real Madrid because Ancelotti has just got that experience where you don't think they're playing well but they pull it out of the bag.
But I do think Liverpool are the favourites. If everyone stays fit with Liverpool, I think they have a great chance.
Ollie Watkins
Q: And then the other thing that got a couple of headlines about two hours before kick-off was the Ollie Watkins news that Arsenal bid for him. What did you think of that because obviously they need a striker and we've spoken about that before.
It's a big one.
Do I think they'll get him? No, because I think the news broke that Duran is probably going to El Nassr, so I know Aston Villa are not going to want to be selling Ollie Watkins.
I did think if they've kept Duran, then maybe they had a possibility of getting him. He's 29 and if they're going to offer £60, £70 million the Villa might take that because you’re not going to get as much as that when he turns 30.
Jhon Duran is a young person, but looks like he is going to El Nassr so no matter what Arsenal offer I can’t see Villa going for it.
Villa will have work to do in this window anyway but you can’t leave yourself with no strikers if you let Watkins and Duran go.
Arsenal have probably just come in a little bit too late because if that had been earlier in the window, you never know. It could be something that happens again in the summer, but for now I think it’s probably too late.
Q: Were you surprised by the timing of it, just a couple of hours before the final Champions League game?
Yeah, I didn't get it, especially as they said they were going to go back in with an improved bid. These things are usually a game of cat and mouse but I can’t see it working and Aston Villa letting Watkins go.
Q: Yeah, you mentioned Duran going to Saudi Arabia. Are you surprised by that one because he is pretty young to be going over there
I'm very surprised, he's only 21 years of age and has got so much time. Stay in the best league in the world in the Premier League.
I get it that you’re going to get fortunes over there and it will sort out your family but you will still have that opportunity in six/seven/eight years time.
I am really surprised by the move because he is already playing in the best league in world football.
I could understand it at 29/30/31. By all means then you can go there and pick up your money but at this age, I think it’s a bit crazy.
Q: It’s not like he didn't have interest from domestically as well is it?
That's what I mean, he's been doing well and scoring goals. The only reason why he's probably out of the team is because he got suspended and Watkins came in and started scoring goals.
So maybe the deal was too good for him to turn down. Good luck to him.
League One Promotion
Q: Back to the EFL, you were at the Wrexham v Birmingham game last Thursday. What did you make of it and the two sides involved?
I think a draw was a fair result. And I do think moving forward, I know Wrexham have lost in the week, but I did think it would be Wrexham and Birmingham who would be the top two to go up. I definitely think Birmingham will win the league and get promoted. I think they're too strong and they've got top players.
With Wrexham, having spoken to Phil Parkinson they probably need to do a little bit more business to strengthen in January because Wycombe are not going anywhere.
They rejected a big bid from Luton for Richard Kone but they will come back, and if they lose him that is a lot of goals gone from the team - he has 16 this season I think.
If he goes then I think Wycombe could struggle, but money talks. Fair play to them at the moment, but I think Wrexham have enough quality in their squad at the moment.
I do think if they can do one or two signings in this window, that will help take them to the next level and where they want to be. They have a great opportunity to finish in the top two places, especially if they capitalise on their home form.
Middlesbrough v Sunderland
Q: The next game to mention was Middlesbrough against Sunderland on Monday, which hopefully be better than last Monday's game!
Oh my gosh well that was ridiculous last Monday. But yeah, let's move on! Yeah, it should be a pretty decent game.
It will be a good game. I think Sunderland are in good form at the minute. I know they haven't won for a few games, but they've still got good attacking players and they brought in new players that are going to improve the team and that's what Middlesbrough have done too.
They're doing well. I think Michael Carrick is a brilliant manager. They are a bit inconsistent at the moment and I think he'll be disappointed, but he's obviously bringing in a player like Whittaker and paying £8 million, it's a lot of money in the Championship.
He has to hit the ground running, but we've seen him many times he can score goals in a team that was struggling in Plymouth. So if you're getting to a better team, hopefully we can see a bit more from him
It is a good signing. It's quite a statement of intent, isn't it, to go and spend quite a bit of cash on Whittaker and I think they've got a couple of other players in on loan. So they're properly pushing for that top six to try and be there at the end of the season.
I think Carrick is probably thinking this is the final push from now to the end of the season and this is the best opportunity you will get. I do think Middlesbrough will get into the play-offs and the signings they have made could tip them over.
Q: What did you make of the reports that Whittaker refused to play for Plymouth last week?
It is tricky, but I feel like you should play for your club. You shouldn't refuse to play. I understand you're worried about getting an injury and if your club tells you not to play because they're worried about the deal and stuff like that, then so be it. But it's Plymouth where you've been scoring your goals and earned the move, so you probably owe it to the football club who gave you that opportunity to be a regular and playing Championship football.
It's all rumours at the minute but I know Morgan and I don't think he's the kind of character to do that. So as I say, I'm probably all rumors, but if he did, then it wasn't the wisest thing to do. But new challenge now and moving for that much money is life-changing.
I just think you should do it the professional way.
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