Greening rues Phillips exit

West Brom skipper wanted striker to stay

Last updated: 7th December 2008

Greening rues Phillips exit

Phillips: Helped West Brom win promotion

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Jonathan Greening has admitted that West Brom have missed Kevin Phillips this season.

Phillips helped the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League last term but a deal could not be agreed for him to stay at The Hawthorns.

Phillips joined Birmingham and netted his 10th goal of the Championship season in their 3-2 victory over Watford on Saturday.

West Brom have been short of firepower in the top flight and are currently bottom of the table with just 11 goals in total from 15 games.

Captain Greening believes West Brom would have been stronger if Phillips had stayed at the club.

"Losing Kevin was a massive blow for us. He got 25 goals last season and we obviously haven't replaced those goals," Greening said.

Disappointed

"But it's not just that - he was great to have around the place with all his experience. He was a good mate so I was disappointed to see him go.

"It was between him, his agent and the chairman and they couldn't agree. That happens in football but personally I'd have liked him to stay because he's such a good player."

Greening accepts that Phillips is approaching the end of his career but he still feels the veteran forward would have made an impact in the Premier League.

"Kevin knows where the back of the net is. He's one of the best in the business," said Greening.

"I know he's 34 but to have his experience around on matchday and to bring him on for the last 20 minutes or so, he could always nick you a goal.

"When you have a striker like him one year and don't the next, you're obviously going to miss him."