Kevin Phillips: Robinson could get back into West Brom side after impressing for Ireland
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…
Callum Robinson has boosted his chances of getting back into the West Brom starting line-up, according to Kevin Phillips.
Robinson, 26, hasn’t played in any of West Brom’s last seven Premier League fixtures but burst out of the blocks on international duty with the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night.
The former Sheffield United attacker managed to assist Alan Browne’s opening goal in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia. However, unfortunately for the Irish, Robinson’s impressive display wasn’t enough for them as they ended up succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
When asked if Robinson’s international display could help his standing in Sam Allardyce’s squad, Phillips told West Brom News: “Yes, definitely. When you do that for your national team, you giving yourself a chance for when you return to club football to get a run of games between now and the end of the season.
“Of course, with the situation West Brom are in, they want their players coming back fully fit and in fine form to help them stay up.
“Robinson can only do what he’s done by putting in a good performance and getting an assist.
“It just remains to be seen whether he gets in the starting line-up when West Brom restart.”
Stats by Wyscout show that Robinson completed 79 per cent of his passes while playing up front for Ireland on Wednesday night.
The ex-Aston Villa man also completed three of five crosses, all of his five dribbles were successful and he also managed four touches inside of the box.
However, for all of Robinson’s good inter-play, he failed to have any shots on target.
Robinson was played up front by Slaven Bilic earlier in the season but was mainly used on the left-wing in the Championship last term.
West Brom’s Premier League form has been woeful for a long time now. Maybe it’s time for Robinson to get a run in the side and show what he can do either out wide or in a front-two with Mbaye Diagne.
In other West Brom news, Filip Krovinovic and Matheus Pereira have reacted to Kieran Gibbs’ agreement to join Inter Miami.
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