Matt Phillips's poor form for West Brom has flummoxed Alan Pardew

The 27-year-old was one of the major catalysts of a top-half finish last season with five goals and nine assists in all competitions.

But the winger has failed to hit those heights this campaign, netting just once in the league, a consolation goal at the end of a home defeat to Manchester City. He's only laid on two assists in the league as well.

Supporters have started to grow frustrated with Phillips's performances but Pardew believes the winger needs to try and ignore the pressure in order to produce his best.

“He was someone I was really looking forward to working with," said Pardew. “I thought he was someone I could inspire to get more out of him and unfortunately it hasn’t happened.

“I have done a little bit of scratching of my head about Matty, as has Matty, because he’s a diligent boy.

“Sometimes I think he’s a bit too diligent. He takes things a bit too seriously and I’d like him to just lighten his focus, and it’s not often a manager will say that.

“Sometimes players can be very critical of themselves and I think he can be a bit like that."

However, Phillips netted his first goal for Scotland in the week, grabbing the winner in a 1-0 victory over Hungary.

Pardew says that goal has boosted his confidence and is planning to reinstate him into the line-up for this weekend's match with Burnley.

“If he doesn’t play well it can affect him and that’s a side of the game that, as he he hopefully grows, he can put to one side," said Pardew.

“He’s a confidence player, he would be the first to say that, and the goal will do him no end of good.

“Internationals do two things for you. They can take you down or bring you up.

“Certainly just in training in the last two days you can see he’s come back with an up."

Scotland boss Alex McLeish played Phillips as an out and out striker against Hungary, and moving him inside off the wing is something Pardew has toyed with doing himself.

However, he's contemplated playing him behind Salomon Rondon as a No.10.

“It was something I had a conversation with him about three or four weeks ago, so it was interesting to see him play there and I thought he did well through the middle," said Pardew.

“His play up to the goal was good too. He’s a player who is really based on confidence and that will do him a world of good to score at the weekend and he’s someone I’ve got a firm eye on for the weekend."