BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has been impressed by the form of West Brom attacker Matt Phillips in the first few weeks of the new Championship season.
Phillips, 28, has scored two goals in six appearances for the Baggies so far this term and has played a key role in an unbeaten start that sees Slaven Bilic’s side sit fourth in the table.
It has been a strong few weeks for the Baggies, and the one player who has stood out for ex-Leeds striker Whelan is Scotland international Phillips.
“Matt Phillips, I think he’s done exceptionally well when he’s been playing. I really like him, he’s strong, got everything, every attribute that you would want from an attacker,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“He can play through the middle as well as in the wide areas, great turn of pace and eye for goal. I think he’s started the season really well.
“A player that I’ve admired as well because when you have that many attributes and you can be a gamechanger and match-winner, he’s certainly got that in his locker.”
TIF Tactics
Phillips’ early form for West Brom this season has been superb.
He scored crucial goals in wins against both Nottingham Forest and Blackburn, but it’s not just the attacker’s ability to stick the ball in the back of the net that has got pundits like Whelan waxing lyrical about him.
According to stats by WhoScored, Phillips has averaged two key passes per league appearance for the Baggies this season, a number that is only bettered by Matheus Pereira, who has played significantly fewer minutes.
Only Grady Diangana [1.5] has averaged more successful dribbles per league outing than Phillips [1.2] at The Hawthorns while the former QPR attacker has also completed 80.7 per cent of his passes and averaged 2.5 shots at goal.
In Phillips, Albion have one of the best attacking players in the Championship but while there are clearly massive advantages to having a player like that in the side, the winger does have his downfalls.
Phillips has remained fit so far this season but his injury problems last term were perhaps one of the reasons why Albion failed to win promotion.
He only played 30 of the 46 Championship fixtures last term, starting 23 of them as he batted different injuries.
Hopefully those issues are now in the past and Phillips can finally have a full season of tearing it up for the Baggies.
Terrace Talk
It would be fair to say that Whelan isn’t the only person who has been impressed with Phillips this season.
These West Brom supporters have clearly been delighted with what they have seen from the Scotland international’s form under Bilic’s leadership.
Pure power
Matty Phillips ?pic.twitter.com/dV5tk5leHW#wba
— Matthew Fleet (@HalesowenBaggie) September 2, 2019
One of Pulis's best signings alongside Jonny Evans at the Albion. Phillips' versatility and ability in set pieces is what strikes me too about him. At 28, Albion can get the best out of him in the next 3 years.
— Conrad Chircop (@conradchircop) September 2, 2019
Really good insight Steve. Think Phillips being managed correctly is the difference between top 2 and play offs. The fact we can give him the odd rest now with genuine attacking depth in the squad is only going to be a good thing.
— Alex Newton (@AlexRobNewton) September 2, 2019
Can't stop watching that Matt Phillips goal for us yesterday. Never seen him score a goal like that before. Absolute battering ram. #coyb #wba
— Danny Jones (@itchyfeet67) September 1, 2019
Love the desire and determination from Matt Phillips to get into the box too!
— Jack? (@JackFoster96) September 1, 2019