Exclusive: Kevin Phillips claims 'common sense prevails' as FA make decision on West Brom ace

We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…

Kevin Phillips has praised the FA for not dishing out punishment to Charlie Austin after the West Brom striker hit out at Southampton fans on Twitter earlier this month.

Since quitting St Mary's to join the Baggies in the summer, the 30-year-old striker has regularly been involved in online spats with some Saints supporters.

The FA asked Austin to explain his recent comments to a Southampton fan after an argument - that has since been deleted - escalated on Twitter.

Austin escaped punishment but was formally warned by the FA about his future conduct on social media.

It seems that Austin is not the only striker who Southampton fans have taken aim at after leaving St Mary's with Phillips now revealing that he was also targetted by them when he moved away from the south coast in 2005 to join Aston Villa.

"Common sense prevails," Phillips told West Brom News.

"You can't do everyone every time they tweet about supporters or the way.

"I had the same issue with Southampton supporters when I left the club. I got absolutely abused.

"There was no social media around in those days. You just suck it up and get on with it, it is what it is.

"Unfortunately now there is a platform to have a voice. But I think common sense prevailed in the end."

Austin is a larger than life character.

Since joining West Brom, he has struggled to hold down a spot in Slaven Bilic's starting line-up due to the form of Hal Robson-Kanu but that has not dampened his spirits.

Although there was a clip of him looking frustrated as he left the pitch after Albion beat Preston on Tuesday, he is still someone who you can rely on to make an impact in big games.

It is a good job that he wasn't handed any kind of ban for his recent Twitter activity because the Baggies are going to need him in the coming weeks as we approach the business end of the season.

In other West Brom news, there has been an update on Grady Diangana's recovery from his injury setback.