Valerien Ismael hints at deploying Matt Phillips in striking role next season
Tony Pulis believed Matt Phillips could excel as a striker and new West Brom boss Valerien Ismael appears ready to finally try it out.
With barely two weeks away from the Championship season, the Baggies are yet to land a new striker, with the 30-year-old being deployed in the position throughout pre-season.
Phillips bagged both goals in the 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday and also led the line against Woking and Watford, and Ismael appears ready to play him regularly as a number 9 going forward.
The West Brom boss said in response to Saturday’s goalless draw with the Hornets (via Express and Star): “I think he’s very important for our game [in that position].
“He gives us everything we need, he gives confidence in the front three. He’s already scored goals in pre-season and he improves every week. This is what I like and he’s really focused, he has a laser focus.
“He wants to improve, he asks a lot of questions and he wants to help the team and this is what we need – commitment to the team, dedication to the way we play and commitment to our success.”
Not a lot of strikers can excel in the Frenchman’s 3-4-3 formation, and it seems he has been impressed with what he has seen thus far from the Scotland international.
Phillips has been utilised in the position at international level, with Pulis always insisting while at The Hawthorns that he is capable of producing the goods in a central role.
We really hope Albion bring in an out-and-out striker this summer, but the fact that Ismael has been deploying the attacker as his number 9 so far speaks volumes.
Pulis would be proud to see someone in the West Brom dugout finally buy into his idea, and it could boost our chances of securing instant promotion if it works out.
We need a prolific goalscorer if we want to be playing in the English top-flight come 2022-23, and Phillips is currently not one.
He last ended a campaign with double figures in front of goal a decade ago, but could that be due to the fact that he has not been handed an extended run in the position?
Ismael could be forced to make do with what he has, and at the moment, Phillips is most likely to feature against Bournemouth as a striker.
It is a huge gamble relying on him to lead us back up, but that would most likely happen if a quality number 9 does not arrive before deadline day.
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