Exclusive: Phillips says West Brom fans ‘showed a bit of class’ when ex-player returned last week
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 hailed the West Brom supporters for welcoming Dwight Gayle back to The Hawthorns with a great reception last week.
Newcastle United won 3-2 against the Baggies to knock them out of the FA Cup last Tuesday, with Gayle coming off the bench for the final 10 minutes when Slaven Bilic’s men were in search of a late equaliser.
In the first half when Gayle was warming up along the touchline, the Birmingham Road End gave a standing ovation to the 29-year-old, who is still widely-adored by fans after scoring 24 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions while on loan at The Hawthorns last season.
Plenty of West Brom supporters were hopeful of Gayle returning to the Black Country this season after lighting up the Championship last term but due to injuries and Steve Bruce wanting to utilise him at St James’ Park, a second deal failed to materialise [The Athletic].
Phillips believes that Gayle could have been the man to get Albion promoted last year if he wasn’t suspended for the play-off second-leg against Aston Villa.
When asked about the reception Gayle had at The Hawthorns last week, Kevin Phillips told West Brom News: “It was nice to see and it was fully deserved because of what he did for West Brom. He nearly got them through the play-offs.
“Obviously he got himself sent off in the first play-off game, which was a shame because you would like to think if he was on the pitch in the second leg, they would have had a chance.
“West Brom supporters have always – and even with the two years I played there – whenever ex-players came back to the club they always give them a good reception and they did that with Dwight last week.
“They showed a bit of class.”
It really would have been great if Gayle returned this season but he has struggled with injuries and West Brom are in a much more commanding position in the Championship without him than they were with.
A lot of that is likely down to Slaven Bilic being such a good manager.
Just imagine how many goals Gayle would have scored with Bilic in charge and support from the likes of Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira.
It really wouldn’t have been fair on the rest of the league.
In other West Brom news, Phillips is adamant that this under-fire 26-year-old will start every game up until the end of the season.