Super Kev the derby destroyer

Even at the grand old age of 35, Kevin Phillips is still a troublemaker.

Trouble for defenders, trouble for the club he left behind and trouble for the teams he just can't stop scoring against.

Unfortunately for Molineux fans, that leads neatly to Saturday's first versus second derby and their reunion with a player they came to fear with good cause during his Albion days.

Phillips is a renowned derby specialist, having made a habit of scoring for all of his clubs against their nearest rivals, during his career among the elite of goalscorers.

Thirteen goals in 28 derbies with Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Villa and Albion made him a feared derby adversary wherever he laid his goalscoring hat.

But he seemed to take a particular relish in savaging Wolves during his Baggies career – three goals in the two play-off semi-finals of two seasons ago, before turning goalmaker with that clever set-up for Zoltan Gera's matchwinner in last season's Molineux derby.

Yes, Phillips has been a pain in the backside for Wolves and, wouldn't you know it, he's back on Saturday bang in form and winning over a new army admirers at his third West Midlands club.

Especially in the dressing room, where that "SuperKev" nickname has been swapped for a new one.

Fellow striker Marcus Bent said: "Super Kev? I call him Super Glue. Wherever the ball goes, it just goes to him. Some players are like that. Michael Owen, Kev Phillips – they have just got the knack of being in the right place at the right time.

"It's good to watch. Sometimes people say it's good to learn off but I don't think you can teach what he does or learn it, he's just got that knack of being in the right area and he's a great finisher."

Such a great finisher, in fact, that the name "Phillips" is still the subject of prickly debate around the Hawthorns, a debate which rumbles still louder at the team's struggle to score in the Premier League.

It will be forever disputed as to how successful SuperKev could have been in the Premier League at the "veteran" phase of his career, but nine goals in all and four in the last three games proves he will be back to provide the acid test to Stearman and Co on Saturday.

Phillips scored at an astonishing rate for Albion – 46 in 72 starts in all competitions, 38 in 60 league starts – to add to the legend of his reputation and prove what he promised from the outset of his decision to turn his back on Albion's one-year offer and accept the two-year deal from Blues.

"I intend to prove that West Brom's loss will be Birmingham City's gain," said Phillips at the time and, with Albion fans desperate for some finishing craft from somewhere, there's no doubt who's winning the argument.

He is now is rejuvenated after scoring one of the goals in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Ipswich, a result that saw Blues continuing to match their neighbours point-for-point in the Midlands sprint dominating the top of the Championship.

He said: "We've got a great never-say-die attitude which any team will tell you is so important in this league. I don't think you could fault the spirit throughout the season. Every team we play wants to beat Birmingham City, so there's added pressure.

"I've managed to score either starting or after coming off the bench, which I did a few times last year for West Brom. We're obviously delighted at the way it's going now."

Wolves appear to be facing Phillips and Birmingham just when Alex McLeish's team have run into prime form. Like Wolves, they recovered from a mini wobble and reeled off three impressive victories over Charlton, Swansea and Ipswich which have underscored the team's character.

But the quality is beginning to show now as well, as Ipswich boss Jim Magilton admitted on Tuesday night.

He said: "They just did everything you'd expect a Birmingham City team to do. They were excellent. The ball kept coming back and we didn't show enough care with our passing or bravery on the ball.

"As a result we got pinned back and as a result it was an onslaught. At 2-0 you were fearing it could have been anything."