Matt Phillips: West Brom will keep pushing
Matt Phillips insists there will be no complacency from Albion despite their lofty position at the top of the Championship table.
The Baggies returned to the summit of English football’s second tier with a thumping 5-1 victory over Swansea yesterday.
That result saw them leapfrog rivals Leeds.
But it also ensured they now have a 10-point lead over third-placed Fulham in the race for automatic promotion.
Despite that cushion, Phillips insists no-one at Albion is getting carried away – with the winger believing hard work has been the secret to their success.
“We are playing well, but throughout the week we put in the work that’s needed in order to be able to play well,” the 28-year-old said. “And we are putting what we are doing in training into action.
“Now we just have to keep going and keep our foot on the accelerator.
“In training every day, the players keep pushing one another. The manager is demanding, the boys are demanding of each other. We will keep going.
“We know we haven’t achieved anything yet.”
To a man, Albion were outstanding in their win against the Swans. But it was Matheus Pereira who rightly grabbed the headlines with the Brazilian scoring one goal and having a major say in the other four. And Phillips admitted the Sporting Lisbon loanee is a joy to play with.
“He (Pereira) is unbelievable,” the former QPR man continued. “I think if you look across the team everyone is comfortable on the ball.
“But not only does he create chances he works hard for the team as well.
“He has that ability to find you. He is a special talent and everyone is enjoying working with him.”
Phillips is currently Albion’s top scorer having already netted seven times this season.
Only twice before has the winger scored more in a campaign.
Phillips struck eight times for QPR back in the 2015/16 season.
Prior to that he netted 18 times in the 2011/12 season during spells with Sheffield United and Blackpool.
And the winger feels being in good shape together with playing with such talented team-mates is why he has been so prolific this year.
“Fitness-wise I feel good,” he added. “I worked hard over the summer to prepare myself for a long season, fingers crossed things stay as they are.
“But the boys are brilliant and we are creating lots of chances.”
