Exclusive: Phillips raves about impact Yokuslu’s had at West Brom
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 is impressed by the impact Okay Yokuslu has had at West Brom since joining the Baggies on loan from Celta Vigo.
Yokuslu, 26, joined Albion on February 1 and has since made four Premier League appearances for the Black Country club.
In that time, Sam Allardyce’s side have conceded just three goals, kept two clean sheets and won five points, which is a major improvement upon what was happening before the Turkey international arrived.
It would be fair to say that Yokuslu’s involvement has had a dramatic effect on the defence but Phillips also believes the defensive midfielder helps West Brom look more threatening in attack as he frees up Matheus Pereira to get forward more often.
“He doesn’t mind getting involved,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“He’s not afraid, he throws himself about. He’s that safety net who allows other players like Pereira to go and attack and give that license to go forward.
“On the counter-attack, West Brom have looked quite dangerous because Pereira’s got good energy and a good engine.
“Yokuslu hasn’t pulled up any trees, let’s put it that way, but he’s slotted in and looks fairly comfortable in there.
“Let’s hope he can continue to do that.”
West Brom’s activity in the January transfer window has been largely praised by sections of the support.
Yokuslu’s arguably been the most impressive winter addition at The Hawthorns but Super Kev doesn’t believe things would have been much different for relegation-threatened Albion if they signed the Turkish enforcer in the summer.
When asked if the season would have panned out better if Yokuslu was signed in the summer, Phillips added: “I don’t think so because of the position he plays.
“I don’t think it’s been a major issue it’s just they haven’t been able to score goals and haven’t been able to keep clean sheets.
“I know it’s a team effort but you couldn’t say one player could’ve made a difference.
“There are other factors in it.”
Yokuslu had a mixed game in the 1-0 win against Brighton on Saturday as he found himself conceding a penalty for raising his hand in the box in the first half.
Luckily for him, the south coast club missed that penalty and another one in the second half as the Baggies kept a second clean sheet in a row and went unbeaten in three matches for the first time since returning to the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, Gary Lineker is calling for a rule change after what he saw happen in Albion’s win over Brighton.
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