Matt Phillips quotes show West Brom players are buying into Carlos Corberan philosophy
Matt Phillips has set the target of earning promotion to the Premier League with West Brom this season.
The Baggies have made a mixed start to their 2023-24 campaign on the whole, taking seven points from a possible 15 to find themselves 11th.
After a summer in which they had to rely heavily on free agents and loan signings, expectations were fairly low at The Hawthorns. But try telling that to Phillips.
In an interview with the Express & Star [14 September], the versatile ace made it clear what his aim for the season is.
“First and foremost we want to get promotion, whichever way that comes as a team,” he said.
Those comments reflect some of the first words Corberan, who took Huddersfield Town to the playoff final last year, said upon taking over at West Brom last October.
Speaking to the press at his unveiling, the Spaniard said: “Every time you’re at a club you have dreams.
“Of course, being at West Bromwich Albion you can only have a very high ambition.”
Rather than play down expectations, which would be the easy – and justifiable – option, Phillips has taken the same approach as Corberan. And why not?
The unpredictable nature of the Championship means you quite simply have to have some hope.
After all, who predicted a playoff final of Luton Town and Coventry City last season?
Fingers crossed for Albion they can hit some form when returning to action this coming weekend at Bristol City.
As long as they can remain in the top-six picture come the business end of the season, anything could happen.
In other West Brom news, an Albion player was unfairly snubbed in Sky Sports’ Team of the Season so far.