Exclusive: Phillips admits what might hand West Brom promotion advantage over Leeds
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…
West Brom could have the upper hand over Leeds United in the final nine games because of having more experienced players, according to Kevin Phillips.
The Championship season resumes this weekend with second-placed West Brom taking on Birmingham at The Hawthorns on Saturday before Leeds travel to Cardiff on Sunday.
As it stands, Leeds are top of the table, one point ahead of the Baggies, who are six points clear of Fulham in third.
Albion have a clutch of experienced players, including Hawthorns legend Chris Brunt, who has over 400 appearances for the club and has won two promotions in the past, Premier League appearance record holder Gareth Barry and other senior pros like Jake Livermore, Charlie Austin and Kieran Gibbs.
Phillips believes that the experience in the West Brom squad is something that Leeds doesn’t have as much of and that could hand the Baggies an advantage.
“That’s what’s going to stand them in good stead against Leeds because they’ve got experience in there,” Phillips told West Brom News when asked if Albion’s experience will be vital against Leeds in the race for the Championship title.
“The Gareth Barrys, the Livermores and Bruntys. People who have been there, seen it, done it and won promotions.
“They certainly won’t be getting too carried away. They’re very professional and will want to get the job done.
“If there are any young lads getting carried away, I’m sure the senior players will put them in their place.
“Defensively, they’ve been fairly solid and they’ll need that again in these last nine games but I think the squad there has really gelled. There’s a good team spirit and a lot of that is down to the manager and the players in the squad.”
West Brom have some ageing players in their squad but that by no means that Bilic is lacking youth in his side.
Dara O’Shea, Nathan Ferguson, Kyle Edwards, Rekeem Harper, Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Filip Krovinovic have all played roles for the Baggies in their campaign, showing that there is a great blend of youth, experience and players at their peak like Semi Ajayi, Romaine Sawyers and Kyle Bartley.
The Athletic’s Derby journalist Richard Conway recently hammered into the Baggies for their supposed old squad – something which we do not agree with at all.
But having that mix of players like Brunt and Barry and youngsters like O’Shea and Edwards have made Albion what they are this season and that is that they are serious contenders for the Championship title.
In other West Brom news, it has been suggested this 29-year-old signed by Tony Pulis could leave in the next transfer window.
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