Kevin Phillips surprised by West Brom loanee Romaine Sawyers goalscoring exploits at Stoke
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 to see West Brom loanee Romaine Sawyers in such good goalscoring form at Stoke City.
Sawyers, 29, joined the Potters on a season-long loan in the summer after a really disappointing campaign at The Hawthorns in the Premier League.
Sawyers is hardly known as a goalscoring midfielder due to how deep he usually plays but the ex-Walsall playmaker netted twice in two matches against Millwall and former club Brentford earlier this week.
Although Stoke lost 2-1 on both occasions, Sawyers’ form has impressed Phillips lately.
Speaking to West Brom News, the ex-striker said: “He’s not a goalscorer, I only associate Sawyers with that sitting midfield role who tries to break lines with his passes and breaking up play. But he’s shown lately he’s got an eye for goal.
“I’ve always said I like him. He started well at West Brom but then faded but he’s now added another side to his game and we’re starting to see that.
“I never knew he could score like that but he’s shown he’s got that in his game now.
“From his point of view, it’s really good.”
Stoke’s form has been woeful in the Championship with the Potters failing to win in their last four and letting a 3-0 lead slip at home against managerless Cardiff on Saturday.
Sawyers is getting far more game-time at the Bet365 Stadium than he would be at The Hawthorns under Valerien Ismael but no matter how well he does in the Potteries, it will take a lot for him to prove he’s worth keeping at the Baggies once that loan deal expires.
In other West Brom news, Phillips has hit out at Adrian Durham after what he said about Ismael.
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