Phillips set for bench duty

McLeish unlikely to hand veteran starting role

Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Phillips set for bench duty

Phillips: Set for bench duty

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Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips looks set to remain on the bench against West Ham despite his match-winning double against Wolves.

The veteran forward joined the fray in the 63rd minute at St Andrews and struck twice to seal a memorable 2-1 success against their fierce local rivals.

With Christian Benitez sidelined due to an ankle injury for the trip to Upton Park it had been suggested that the former Sunderland striker would slot into the starting XI.

But manager Alex McLeish sees the 36-year-old as an excellent weapon to introduce in the latter stages of the game and is unlikely to change that approach.

McLeish said: "Kevin's confidence will be sky-high after his contribution at the weekend but I spoke to Kevin at the beginning of the season about how I saw his role.

"I felt he would be better as an impact player for us this season when defences are getting a little bit tired. If we can pin the opposition back in their own box then there is no-one better to have at your disposal.

"I don't know if I would be doing him a favour starting games. You never know, he might start banging in goals from the start of games. But my tactical brain and experience tells me he may be more experienced being used as we did at the weekend."

Phillips would clearly prefer to be getting more time on the field but has accepted his super-sub role, to an extent.

He said: "To sit on the bench for virtually every game this season has been frustrating. But I'm not stupid, the manager told me at the beginning of the season I would be used mainly as a sub.

"There is a slight argument there that I've been very rarely used as a sub.

"But it was a nice feeling to just get on the pitch on Sunday and to walk off having scored was even better."

Shivers

Meanwhile, McLeish has backed West Ham to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone ahead of Wednesday night's clash.

New Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan recently relinquished control at St Andrews, with Sullivan attempting to up the ante ahead of the game by claiming the East London side are a 'bigger club'.

With a heavy dose of irony, McLeish responded: "That's sent shivers down my spine."

He added: "I've not read any comments but I understand there is a few flying to and fro. It's an interesting game against our old owners and they need the points more than we do.

"West Ham have got to try and win the game. They have got the quality there now. They have some terrific players after the business Gianfranco Zola did in the January transfer window.

"Ilan made an instant impact and Mido is a big, strong centre forward who will bring a bit of quality to them. I think, ultimately, West Ham will be OK. Benni McCarthy coming in, he is a goalscorer and will get goals."

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