Exclusive: ‘Destroyer’ tipped to earn West Brom debut v Tottenham by ex-Baggie
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 tipped Sam Allardyce to hand Ainsley Maitland-Niles his West Brom debut on Sunday when the Albion take on Tottenham in North London.
Maitland-Niles, 23, arrived on loan at The Hawthorns from Arsenal on Monday but hasn’t had to wait long to return to the capital with the Baggies set to take on Jose Mourinho’s Spurs in the next chapter of their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The England international wasn’t registered in time to play against Sheffield United on Tuesday when West Brom lost 2-1 but Phillips is sure he’ll feature in Allardyce’s starting line-up versus Spurs on Sunday.
“I’ve got to hold my hands up and say I didn’t know his preferred position was in the midfield. I’ve only ever seen him play as a right full-back and he gets up and down and got good energy,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“He’s versatile but he could be that person who just breaks things up, that destroyer who gives centre-halves a bit more cover.
“He’s played as a defender and obviously [Romaine] Sawyers and [Jake] Livermore haven’t.
“He’s a good signing but I’m intrigued to see where he starts and I’m pretty sure he will start at the weekend.”
Maitland-Niles can play on both wings, in both full-back and wing-back roles or in the centre of the midfield so it will be very interesting to see how Allardyce plays him.
It will also be interesting to see who is dropped to make way for AMN because you could make a case for almost anyone to be axed after the horrific display at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
If we had to guess, we think Maitland-Niles will play in the centre of the midfield alongside either Conor Gallagher or Jake Livermore with Matheus Pereira ahead of them but Big Sam has plenty of options now and could spring one or two surprises.
In other West Brom news, this Albion player is set to be offered a £15,000-a-week contract by a manager who loves him.
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