Express & Star

In-form Matt Phillips relishing new West Brom way

In-form Matt Phillips is relishing Albion's new 'front-foot' approach under Darren Moore.

Published
Matt Phillips. (AMA)

Phillips scored twice for the Baggies in their 7-1 rout of his former club Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, despite being asked to play as a wing-back in a new 3-4-1-2 system.

But the 27-year-old is happy to track back when needed, because he's been convinced by Moore's methods and has been guaranteed chances to get forward.

"It's a new system, a new way of playing, it's more on the front foot," said Phillips. "In this formation I get a lot of the ball. It's a new position for myself, but like the rest of the boys, I'm learning."

Phillips has now netted three times this season, equalling his tally for the whole of last season in the first two weeks of the campaign.

A self-confessed confidence player, he paid tribute to Moore's impact on his mind-set.

"He gives you bags of confidence," said Phillips. "He's told me he can see me getting goals this season and hopefully that continues.

"Towards the end of last season we started getting back to what we're about.

"The manager has been brilliant, Graeme Jones has come in and been brilliant, as have the rest of the staff. There's a real togetherness.

"I had a good pre-season. It's the first time for two or three years where I've had a full pre-season.

"I'm really enjoying it, there's a good buzz around the place. We need to keep the momentum going."

And Phillips is happy to put the defensive work in under the new system.

"It's a part of my game anyway," he said. "I've shown previously that I will get back and help defending when I can.

"As long as I'm involved in the game. If we keep getting the ball out wide which we have been – Gibbo on the other side was brilliant – it gives us an opportunity to get two up the park which helps.

"It's all new to us. We're working hard on it. Some days we might get it a bit wrong. But as long as we keep trying to do the right things hopefully we'll get the rewards."

With three goals already under his belt, Phillips is a signed-up member of Albion's Fab Four, and he's enjoying playing with new boys Dwight Gayle and Harvey Barnes.

"Dwight's always scored goals," he said. "If you put the ball in the right areas, he's going to get goals and Harvey's started on flames as well so we've got a lot of attacking potential.

"We've just got to keep at it but it starts with the boys at the back. I thought the back three were brilliant and gave us a platform to go and start defending from the front."

Albion signed Phillips from QPR two years ago, and the winger was given a hostile reception from the away fans, so he celebrated his goals with passion. But he brushed off the issue afterwards.

"It doesn't make any difference whether it's an old club or not," he said afterwards. "As long as I'm contributing goals, I'm happy."