Exclusive: Kevin Phillips unhappy with AMN in West Brom midfield
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 called on Sam Allardyce to stop playing Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the centre of the West Brom midfield.
Albion signed the 23-year-old on loan from Arsenal on February 1 and appeared to win the race for his signature with the promise of playing him in the midfield [The Athletic].
Maitland-Niles had been mainly used as a right-back or right-sided wing-back by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and it is understood the Gunners see him playing there in the long-term.
But since his West Brom debut in February, Allardyce has played Maitland-Niles in every minute of every Premier League game as a central midfielder and he’s struggled to impress.
In draws with Manchester United and Newcastle, Maitland-Niles’ ability to play a killer final ball from a central position has hurt his side and ex-Baggies striker Phillips claims the England international has failed to shine in the Albion midfield.
“If I’m honest, I don’t really see him as a midfield player, I see him more bombing up and down that right-hand side because it suits his game more,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“In the midfield area, you need to have that technical ability to receive it with both feet and hitting diagonal balls.
“He’s very industrious, you can’t take that away from him, and he really helps to push the team forward by running and chasing. But, in that area, I think you need players who are technically better than he is, for me he’s more of a right-back or wing-back.
“Let’s put it this way, I haven’t seen West Brom improve since he’s been in that midfield area.”
Phillips now claims Maitland-Niles should be switched to play on West Brom’s right with Allardyce instead naming someone else in the centre of the midfield.
Phillips added: “Sam’s got to try something. It hasn’t worked with him going in the midfield area, they haven’t looked any better.
“Why not put him in that right-back position? If he’s been guaranteed to play football, get him on the right-hand side and get a more natural midfield player in the centre of the park.”
Maitland-Niles has made seven appearances for the Baggies since joining them last month, playing alongside Okay Yokuslu and Conor Gallagher in a midfield trio almost every time.
With Darnell Furlong struggling at right-back against Crystal Palace on Saturday, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Maitland-Niles moved into that role with Matheus Pereira coming across to play more centrally and someone like Robert Snodgrass or Grady Diangana return to the starting line-up to play out wide.
In other West Brom news, John Percy has shared a major transfer update on the Baggies.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.