Kevin Phillips hails West Brom over new Conor Townsend contract – Exclusive
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 claims it was a “no-brainer” for West Brom to get left-back Conor Townsend tied down to a new contract at The Hawthorns.
The 27-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season but last week, Albion announced the left-back had penned fresh terms which extend his stay in the West Midlands to 2024.
Townsend was largely the second or third choice left-back in his first season and a half at West Brom in the Championship but since the start of last year, the ex-Scunthorpe ace has shot up the pecking order and is either on a level playing field or ahead of Kieran Gibbs.
With it looking likely that the Albion will be relegated back to the Championship this season, Phillips believes it was a good move by the club to get someone tied down who proved himself in the second-tier last term.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips said: “From the club’s point of view, it was a no-brainer to get him tied down.
“I think he’s proven he’s more than capable of performing in the Championship having helped them come up so get him tied down because, barring a miracle, it looks like they’re going to be back in that league next season and you’ve got a player on your books who knows the club and if Big Sam’s still there, he’s worked with him.
“It just fits into play. The club will be delighted and obviously, the player is otherwise he wouldn’t have signed.
“For me, it smells of a no-brainer. Get him tied down now and you don’t have to worry about that position for next season.”
Townsend has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season for West Brom.
He missed nine Premier League matches between December and January due to a knee injury but has since returned to Sam Allardyce’s starting line-up in place of the struggling Gibbs, who’s also suffered an injury setback of his own.
West Brom’s defence has struggled in the top-flight this term and while Townsend hasn’t been amazing, he’s still proven more popular among fans than Gibbs, who doesn’t appear likely to get a new contract amid links with MLS outfit Inter Miami.
Allardyce’s side takes on Burnley at Turf Moor in their next Premier League outing on Saturday.
Townsend is expected to start on the left-hand side of the defence once again.
In other West Brom news, Kamil Grosicki is expected to stay at the club for the rest of the season.
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