West Brom’s Matty Phillips has received high praise from teammate Grady Diangana.
West Brom, despite their ongoing struggles off the pitch, injuries and what not, are performing very well on the pitch.
Carlos Corberan’s side currently sit in 5th place of the Championship table and are just two points behind Leeds United in 3rd, following an impressive 3-1 win over Hull City last time out.
Phillips bagged one of the goals that day. It was his third goal of the season with the 32-year-old having played in every league game so far this season; his eighth season with the Baggies.
Corberan has got the best out of Phillips since his arrival last year. The Spaniard has often played Phillips as a left winger or a left wing-back, and to great effect too.
And Phillips’ fine form has drawn praise from teammate Diangana who also shone in the win over Hull City.
Speaking to the club, Diangana said:
“I think Matty has been amazing. It’s really amazing to see a player who is so versatile and is willing to do both the defensive work and the attacking work.
“He’s a big team player and he’s contributing massively to the success we’ve had over the recent period. He plays a huge role in this team. He’s a crucial part of the team, both on the pitch and off the pitch.
“You can see how hard he works every single day. He’s always in first and he’s always the last one out of the building. He’s always going the extra mile to make sure his body is at the best level possible to perform.”
Diangana added:
“He’s a brilliant player to have in our team.
“He’s someone that I look up to because he’s always working hard. Regardless of the results on the pitch, he always has the same drive to do well and perform at his maximum level.”
Phillips’ West Brom rejuvenation…
At the start of last season, Phillips was coming under criticism. It was a difficult time for the Baggies under Steve Bruce and it seemed like Phillips was past his best.
But since the arrival of Corberan, Phillips has enjoyed a significant upturn in form; he’s a key player for the side, capable of playing in a number of roles as Diangana points out, with his experience no doubt a benefit for the club both on and off the pitch.
Diangana can definitely learn a lot from his long-standing Baggies teammate and if Phillips can stay fit for the entire season, then he’ll no doubt play a key role in the club’s pursuit of a top six finish.
Up next for West Brom is a trip to Southampton this weekend.