Kevin Phillips surprised by Wolves fans being happy with draw v 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 “surprised” by how Wolves fans reacted to drawing with West Brom on Monday as their winless run at The Hawthorns continued.
Wolves have failed to win a Black Country derby at The Hawthorns since 1996 with it being almost 10 years since they last won one at Molineux.
It’s one of the fiercest rivalries in the country but also one of the most one-sided, even though hundreds of millions have been ploughed into Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad while the Albion are on the verge of relegation back to the Championship.
Despite the financial gulf between the two rivals, the Baggies remain on top and came from behind to ensure their unbeaten home run over Wolves continued with a 1-1 draw on Monday night.
After that match, Wolves fans seemed to be in a celebratory mood with The Athletic’s Tim Spiers saying pride had been “restored“. One Wolves fan even admitted after the game that the result “must put a smile on supporters face” and added that Albion can take their four points.
They’ve waited years to beat us. In fact, they’ve waited over a quarter of a century.
Yet they’re suddenly happy to take a point off us.
Ex-West Brom striker Phillips, who knows a thing or two about piling misery on Wolves, suggests his old foe’s rut at The Hawthorns is something that could stick for a while.
He also adds that he’s baffled by the reaction from Molineux.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips said: “Once a run like that happens, it’s hard to get out of it.
“It is remarkable Wolves haven’t won there [since 1996] but I was lucky enough to play there and score the winner in the playoffs.
“They are incredible matches and if there had been crowds in the stadium, certainly the one at Molineux, wow, what a performance West Brom put in there. And the other night, it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a crowd in there, West Brom could have gone on and won the game.
“I am surprised [by the reaction of Wolves fans] but players tend to raise their games when they play in derbies and it’s just a shame the West Brom players didn’t do that early on in the season because they probably wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now.”
In other West Brom news, next month could be huge for Guochuan Lai’s ownership of the Baggies.
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