Kevin Phillips: Conor Townsend has been one of the stand-out players for 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 has been delighted with the form that Conor Townsend has shown in his debut Premier League season with West Brom.
The 28-year-old Englishman became the first-choice left-back by default in the Championship last term due to Kieran Gibbs’ injury issues and Nathan Ferguson’s decision to quit the club.
However, despite spending most of his career in the lower reaches of the EFL, Townsend has performed above and beyond expectations in the top-flight with the Baggies.
Although Albion are almost certain to be relegated back to the Championship, Phillips claims Townsend has been one of the club’s best players this term.
“Townsend has stood up to the test very well,” Phillips told West Brom News when asked if the left-back has been the surprise package this term.
“He was exceptional in the promotion season and was rewarded. When you reward a player, you hope they can kick on and progress and really take their career forward.
“How many times have we seen a player when they get to the Premier League after doing the business in the Championship and disappear?
“He hasn’t, he’s taken it on board and he’s risen to the challenge.
“You’d have to say, when you look back at the season, he’s been one of their stand-out players.
“Credit to him and obviously the club know that they’ve got a good player on their hands.”
Townsend assisted Mbaye Diagne’s equaliser with a stunning cross on Monday as West Brom drew 1-1 with Wolves at The Hawthorns.
The ex-Scunthorpe ace certainly has a dangerous cross on him and while he hasn’t been amazing, he’s definitely done way better than many would have thought in the Premier League.
As far as surprise packages go, he’s perhaps been the biggest of the season at the Black Country club.
In other West Brom news, next month could be huge for Guochuan Lai’s ownership of the Baggies.
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