Carlos Corberan heaps praise on Matt Phillips after his impressive West Brom start
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has heaped praise on Matt Phillips after the winger has impressed for the Baggies in the opening games of the Championship season.
The 32-year-old has played all three Championship games so far this season and has demonstrated his versatility having been deployed on the wing, as a wing-back and as a striker as Corberan has used the Scotsman to strengthen his squad’s weaker areas.
So far the Baggies have had a mixed start to the Championship, winning, drawing and losing one match, but the West Brom manager has signalled out Phillips as one of the “key” players if it is to be a successful season at The Hawthorns.
Discussing the winger with the Express and Star (22 August) Corberan said: “When you have a player like Phillips in your squad, it means a lot. It is not only his level of commitment, but it’s his quality that he has, he leads by example, he plays with a lot of maturity and he plays with a level of versatility that helps the squad a lot.
“He is a player who is key to have at the club and in the squad because his level of commitment is the maximum he can have. But he knows his age, he needs to take care of everything he can take care of and for me, his level has been massive for us right now.”
Underrated player?
Phillips had a difficult season last time out, suffering from injuries that didn’t allow him to reach the maximum level that everyone knows he is more than capable of achieving, but his actions seem to have stood him in good stead.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery that has allowed him to come back into the fold at the Hawthorns and continue to train without injury and Corberan has described him as still having the same attitude and drive to succeed as when he was 18.
For a side to be successful in England’s second-tier they often need senior players who know the division, but it is truly a blessing to have a player who possesses that experience and remains a valuable asset in terms of ability.
Phillips is capable of being a crucial player in a top-half Championship side, despite his advancing years and if the drive and determination of the 32-year-old can rub off on some of the younger players at the Hawthorns it will only benefit the Baggies in the long run.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has suggested he may change his system to accommodate his new signings