Confidence key to rid Matt of his ‘demons’

MATT Phillips has more than opponents to overcome every time he takes to the field. The West Bromwich Albion winger might be in the from of his life after three goals and three assists in his last four games.

But he continues to battle with “demons” of self-doubt borne out of a crippling lack of confidence in his own ability.

“Matt has accepted that a lack of confidence is a weakness of his,” said Baggies boss Tony Pulis, who has understandably been delighted by the progress Phillips has made in recent weeks.

“He is trying his hardest and playing the way he is playing is probably the best medicine he could take.

“Matt is his most probably his own worst enemy in terms of confidence.

“If he had that self belief and that confidence that some players have got he’d be absolutely outstanding every week.

“He’s got all the tools, he can score a goal, he creates goals, he’s got fantastic pace, he’s physically a real specimen and athletically as good as anybody.

“So it’s just that self belief and putting your arm round him and encouraging him week in week out to overcome a mental demon that I think he is trying to get rid of more than anything else.”

Strangely enough, Phillips’ upturn in form has arrived since Pulis dropped him for the game against Manchester City. Instead of damaging the former QPR man, his omission from the team – and a 4-0 thumping – has provoked the kind of positive reaction Pulis and his backroom staff could only have dreamed of.

Pulis, in the words of his skipper Darren Fletcher, is as “thick-skinned” as they come.

It goes with the territory for a football manager with 24 years’ experience in such a brutal landscape.

The wily Welshman, who has West Brom riding high in seventh, uses his hard-headed know-how to his advantage and wants Phillips to do the same.

“There’s areas – and I’ve always been able to do it – where you can put things and keep them there in your mind and carry on with other things,” he said.

“I think most probably been able to do that.

“I’m not a psychologist but he’s not it’s just trying to get him to move that to one side and out of his way.

“If he does that and believes in himself as much as we believe in him then he can have a fantastic season for the football club.”

Meanwhile, Baggies defender Allan Nyom has apologised to former club Watford for his celebrations during Saturday’s win. The 28-year-old enthusiastically celebrated Phillips’ 90th-minute goal, which gave Albion a 3-1 win at The Hawthorns, in front of the visiting fans. He had been jeered by supporters of the Hornets throughout the game.

Nyom wrote on Instagram: “I just want to apologise to the Watford FC fans because, unfortunately, it seems that my celebration during the Saturday game was considered as a lack of respect.

“Sincerely, it never was my intention to disrespect the club or the fans, and I apologise to them if they have felt it. In my heart there is only gratitude and my best wishes for all Watford FC family.”

The Cameroon international made 37 appearances for Watford in 2015/16 before moving to Albion for £3million in the summer.

WINGER James McClean has insisted Albion’s ambitions should involve qualifying for Europe.

“I’m very happy here, I can’t stress that enough. I’ve got a good manager and great team-mates,” he said. “Things are going well on the pitch as well. We’re a stable Premier League club. Let’s push on now and get a tophalf finish or maybe, you never know, a European finish. Without putting too much pressure on ourselves, that’s got to be the aim. We’ve had a good start to the season. Hopefully we can go on a good run and achieve a respectable Premier League finish.”