Matt Phillips happy to be up and running for West Brom
It took Matt Phillips a few games to get up and running in his first season, but the flying winger has hit the ground running this time around.
An assist and a goal in the last seven days has settled the nerves early on for a player renowned for thriving on confidence.
At one point last season he was top of the Premier League’s assist charts having set up eight goals in the space of three months, but was then left frustrated by a hamstring injury that sidelined him for 10 of the last 13 games of the season.
Back on the pitch now and enjoying his football, Phillips is pleased to be making a difference for the Baggies once more.
“I missed a lot of football towards the end of last season, I love playing the game, and love playing for West Brom,” he said.
“Hopefully I can get back on the score-sheet and start getting the assists I did for a period last season.
“I’m not pressuring myself with targets, I’ll just go out and play my game, but at the moment I’m really enjoying it.”
Tony Pulis is trying to build a devastating counter-attacking team at The Hawthorns, one that doesn’t have the ball much, but moves it through the pitch quickly when it does.
Phillips is a crucial cog in that system, a powerful, pacy winger with two feet who is also more than willing to do the necessary defensive work.
“As a team we work very hard on our shape and how we go about our game without the ball,” he said. “We’re a hard side to break down, but we’ve got goals in the side, so it’s always going to be difficult for the opposition.”
He was a big miss towards the end of last season, when Albion’s form dramatically tailed off.
His return has gone slightly under the radar in the opening three games because summer signings Ahmed Hegazi, Jay Rodriguez and Gareth Barry have all impressed, but his early-season form should not go unnoticed.
At his best, Phillips can power past two or three defenders on his own, a unique skill in this side. But there were signs at Burnley – where he flicked the ball on to Hal Robson-Kanu for the goal – that he’s added heading to his repertoire too. Most importantly, Phillips is one of those rare beasts, a flashy winger who is also an unrelenting team player.
And the good news for Albion fans is he thinks this team can play better than they have been, despite the perfect start so far.
“To start the Premier League season with six points is a big plus,” he said. “We know we can play a lot better.
“We’ve got a really good dressing room, a really good level-headed set of lads.
“Ever since I joined, the boys in the changing room have been terrific. Gareth Barry has slotted in straight away. The players that the manager recruits fit in.”
Phillips has already struck up an encouraging relationship on the pitch with one of those new recruits.
Against Bournemouth he and Rodriguez threatened with a series of quick-passing moves and this week against Accrington Stanley, a delicious one-two between the pair led to Salomon Rondon’s opener.
It was the sort of free-flowing goal that hasn’t always been on display under Pulis, but if they can replicate those moves in the Premier League, then Phillips could be in for another impressive season.
