Matt Phillips believes in West Brom strike force

Last year the Baggies were overly reliant on Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez finding the target – with the duo netting 45 times between them.

But with loanee Gayle returning to Newcastle and Rodriguez joining Burnley, Slaven Bilic had to completely rebuild his attack.

Alongside strikers Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore, the head coach also snapped up attacking talents Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana to join Phillips and youth graduate Kyle Edwards.

And Phillips is excited by the talent Albion now have at their disposal.

“We’ve assembled a really strong squad – one that is young, athletic and has everyone pulling in the right direction,” Phillips said.

“We did lose a lot of goals. But we brought in Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore.

“And there is great competition in the wide areas with Diangana, Pereira and Kyle Edwards who has got off the mark and has been brilliant.

“It is up to everyone to contribute. We’ve got defenders who will chip in from set pieces. We’ve got goals all over the pitch.”

Pereira, who is on loan from Sporting Lisbon, made his first start for Albion in the 3-2 win over Blackburn.

And Phillips admitted he was impressed by the Brazilian.

“He was excellent,” the forward continued.

“He’s been knocking on the door. In training he has been brilliant along with everyone else.

“Kyle Edwards has made a brilliant start to the season.

“There is competition all over the squad.

“We are all fighting for the shirt and we will keep pushing each other.”

Phillips is currently away with Scotland as they prepare for two crucial European Championship qualifiers against Russia and Belgium.

The forward’s only goal for his country came when he played as an out-and-out centre-forward.

And with Scotland having struggled for goals, he gave a clear answer when asked if he would like to fill that role again.

“Definitely,” he said. “The number nine position is one I’ve not played as much as the others but it’s one I enjoyed.

“I got my first goal for Scotland playing in that role and I enjoyed that. It will be down to where the manager sees fit to play me.”