Matt Phillips could be facing the axe from the West Brom starting lineup after his performance against Bristol City on Saturday (16 September).
The 32-year-old started on the left-hand side of the midfield and was replaced by Conor Townsend after 66 minutes in the goalless draw at Ashton Gate.
The Scottish winger has started every game in the Championship this season, but he could now be dropped after his performance against the Robins.
Phillips has become one of the leaders in the Albion side under Carlos Corberan over the past few weeks due to his experience in the game.
He is a highly versatile player, who is able to do a job on either flank, up front or even in the fullback positions if he is asked to do so.
He missed a large chunk of last season with a leg injury, but he has returned this campaign fully fit and ready to prove his worth to the side.
The Baggies manager clearly values the winger and sees him as a key part of his plans after he has started every game and played a full 90 minutes on two occasions, scoring a goal on the opening day in the defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
But the Scotsman failed to live up to his usual standards in the draw at Bristol City on Saturday, having earned a 6.6 rating – the lowest of any of the West Brom starters [SofaScore].
While he did record an impressive pass accuracy of 86 per cent, he only touched the ball 32 times, with his replacement Townsend not too far behind on 19 touches.
Phillips didn’t have too much of an attacking influence on the game after making just one cross and one long ball forward, neither of which found a teammate.
He also had just one shot off target and was unsuccessful in the one dribble he attempted, while he also lost possession seven times.
The midfielder, who was dribbled past on one occasion, won just 50 per cent of his six duels on the ground and only one of his three aerial duels.
Although Phillips has established himself as a key player under Corberan at the start of this campaign, the Spaniard clearly wasn’t too impressed with him after he was subbed off on 66 minutes.
If he wants to keep his place in the starting lineup, he’s probably going to have to provide more in an attacking sense over the coming weeks.
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