Kevin Phillips: Nuno’s men look to have all the Wolves bases covered

I watched them on Friday night as they beat Fulham 2-0. It was set up to be a cracking match – two teams that play good football – and, surprisingly, both of the goals came from set-plays.

It was not the best of I have seen them play, but they managed to get the job done – and that is a sign of a strong side.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s charges look like they can win games in all sorts of ways, with all sorts of goals.

They have got players on the pitch that can hurt you in any given moment – they have pace and their defence is solid.

I certainly will not be changing my mind about them being the favourites for promotion, although there is still a long way to.

John Terry is set for a couple of months on the sidelines after suffering a broken metatarsal – and that is a huge blow for Villa boss Steve Bruce.

I did not see that 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday coming and to top it all off, their captain has gone and got injured.

He is their leader – the one organising and demanding that the players put in plenty of work.

There is a chance for someone else – maybe Tommy Elphick coming back in from the cold, or perhaps even Micah Richards – to take the mantle now though.

Robert Snodgrass vented his frustration at being taken off before half-time, chucking his shinpads to the floor and hurling his strapping into the dugout.

It is something I have seen a lot in my career, players reacting like that after being substituted, and I do not agree with it.

When he was substituted at St Andrew’s in the Birmingham derby as well, he looked frustrated – but he was not playing well.

Frustration is natural, but it should be kept in-house

On the other side of that, youngster Callum O’Hare has got some more minutes.

Steve is not afraid to give youngsters a chance, we have already seen Keinan Davis and Andre Green given a go.

It is refreshing to see, and Callum could become a big player for them over the next few years.

On the other side of the city, things are turning very sour for Steve Cotterill at Blues.

It is disappointing to see, having such a huge affection for the club after three great years there as a player.

I had a friend at the game on Saturday and he sent me a video of all the abuse being hurled towards the players and the manager after the final whistle.

They are clearly unhappy at the moment, and they have every right to be.

A club the size of Birmingham – just like another one of my old clubs in Sunderland – should not be where they are, in the relegation zone.

Nothing is handed to you in football though, no team is immune to a relegation fight.

With the international break now, they have time to reflect and get some hours in on the training ground.

It is a big period leading up to Christmas and they need to get points on the board, very quickly, else they may get cut adrift.

Once you are in a rut, it is very hard to get out of it