Matt Phillips heaps praise on West Brom teammates during ‘difficult’ time out
Matt Phillips has opened up about the support he received from his teammates having missed nearly seven months of competitive action for West Brom through injury.
Having undergone surgery on a quad injury in January, the 32-year-old missed the entirety of the second half of the Baggies’ 2022-23 campaign but recovered in time for the start of the current season and has started all of their opening five matches of the Championship.
The winger said he is feeling closer to his best with each passing match as he reaps the rewards of his hard work over the close-season and praised the work of his teammates to help him through a “difficult period”.
In quotes reported by the Express and Star on Wednesday (13 September), Phillips said: “I’ve spoken about the dressing room quite a bit in my time here but the boys make it enjoyable to be around. When you’re a bit down and out of it and not connected as much, anyone in there can take the time to have a conversation and make you part of it.
“The club has a knack for signing good people as well as good players, every day it’s a joy to come and work with some of the people here. To have 20 or 22 players committed and fighting for one of the 11 spots available is good and drives standards.”
Good people
While quality footballers are always important for teams to be successful, it cannot be undervalued how important it is for a manager to create a united and together squad while building a team that has a desire to return to the Premier League.
Phillips is the longest-serving player at The Hawthorns and has seen a huge number of players come and go since he joined the ranks from QPR in 2016, so it speaks volumes that he was that keen to praise the effect of his teammates during his time out of the squad.
For the Baggies, having a fully fit Phillips in the side is a huge boost to their play-off hopes this season, his importance to Corberan was demonstrated by his inclusion in all of the opening league games this season despite a lengthy time out with injury.
The Albion manager himself pointed out the importance of the 32-year-old earlier in the season, describing the winger as “key” to the side’s success as he leads by example and always gives his all whenever he steps on the pitch [Express and Star, 22 August].
West Brom are a better side when Phillips is in the team and keeping him fit and healthy could make a huge difference to what can be achieved at The Hawthorns this season.
In other West Brom news, Tony Pulis has urged the Baggies to not allow one man to leave the Hawthorns