One To Watch – Kevin Phillips

Vital QPR writer Nik has gives a comprehensive review of Kevin Phillips as Birmingham City`s ‘One to watch` ahead of Saturday`s clash at St. Andrews.

Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Phillips started his career as a right-back at Baldock Town, having been released by Southampton as a teenager. Baldock re-converted Phillips into a striker, and he scored goal after goal for the club, persuading Watford to spend £10,000 on the front-man in December 1994.

Phillips was quickly thrown into the “deep end” due to injuries at the Hertfordshire club, and he showed he could handle the step up as he netted nine times in just 16 games during his first season at the club.

Phillips continued where he had left off in the 95-96 season, excelling by scoring 11 League goals for a club that struggled overall. Phillips` season though, ended in disaster when he suffered an injury to his foot that would ultimately keep him out of action for a year. By the time Phillips returned to first team action, Watford had been relegated and found themselves plying their trade in Division 2.

A potential move to Ipswich was scrapped due to terms not being agreed, but Phillips eventually did move away from Vicarage Road , with Sunderland paying £600,000 for his services at the end of the 96-97 Season.

It was at The Stadium of Light where Phillips turned himself into one of Europe `s finest strikers. The forward built up an excellent partnership with Niall Quinn, which had Division 1 defenders all around the country quaking in their boots. Phillips went on to have a truly amazing season, at one point scoring in seven consecutive games, and becoming the first Sunderland player to score 30 goals in a season since Brian Clough, eventually ending up with 35 goals in all competitions. Once again though, “Super Kev” found his season ending in disaster, when he was injured in the play-off final against Charlton, a memorable game of football which eventually saw Charlton win 7-6 on penalties, following a 4-4 draw in normal and extra time.

The 98-99 season was just as successful for Phillips, as he scored a total of 25 goals in all competitions, despite playing only 32 games. Sunderland were finally promoted, amassing 105 points in the process. The striker`s brilliant form was rewarded, when he was called up to the England squad, making his debut against Hungary .

Questions were asked of Phillips` ability to keep scoring at Premiership level. Indeed, Rodney Marsh claimed that Phillips would ‘struggle to get 6 goals’. Phillips` rammed the pundit`s words straight back down his throat, smashing in 30 League goals as Sunderland finished 7th in the Premiership. Indeed, his place as a Sunderland legend was secured when he scored the winner away to Sunderland`s hated rivals Newcastle , lobbing Newcastle keeper Tommy Wright.

During the 2000-01 season, Phillips found himself being given a lot more attention by Premiership defenders, thanks to his amazing exploits the previous year. He still managed to chip in with 18 goals in all competitions however, and Sunderland once again excelled, equaling their finish of the previous season.

Phillips contributed a further 13 goals for the club in the 2001-02 season, as the Mackems sruggled to 17th place in the Premiership.

Things only got worse for the striker and his club, as Sunderland finished last in the Premiership, Phillips scoring 6 League goals.

Sunderland found themselves in financial trouble, and in 2003, Phillips moved from the Stadium of Light to Southampton, having played 209 games for Sunderland , scoring a staggering 115 goals.

Phillips struggled to regain his excellent goal scoring form at Southampton , though he did net once in the UEFA Cup, eventually finishing the campaign with 13 goals.

The forward matched that goal tally the next season, but Southampton were relegated.

Phillips wanted to stay in the top tier of English football, and Aston Villa proved to be his next club, with the midlands outfit coughing up £1 Million. Phillips scored on his debut, and secured his place in Villa folklore with the winner against hated rivals, Birmingham City . The arrival of Martin O`Neill though, proved to be the end of Phillips` time at Villa Park, and he moved across the midlands in 2006, with West Brom signing him for £700,000.

The 5 ft 7 inch striker played a big part in firing the Baggies into the play-off final, scoring 19 league goals.

Better was to follow for the striker, and in the 2007-08 season, Phillips was in electric form, scoring 22 League goals, despite suffering a knee-injury in November, keeping him out for six weeks, as West Brom cantered to Promotion. QPR fans may well remember the last day of the 07-08 Season, as West Brom fans dressed up in Superhero outfits, in tribute to “Super Kev”.

Rangers found themselves linked with the striker in the close season, but Birmingham won the race to his signature, Phillips signing a one-year contract that could rise to two, if he plays in 19 or more League games.

Phillips has started his career excellently at Birmingham , having scored 3 goals already this season. If selected tomorrow, Phillips will be a huge thorn in the side of the R`s central defence, as he looks to fire yet another side into the promised land of the Premiership.
Vital QPR have identified Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips as the Blues` ‘One to watch` ahead of Saturday`s clash at St. Andrews .

Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Phillips started his career as a right-back at Baldock Town , having been released by Southampton as a teenager. Baldock re-converted Phillips into a striker, and he scored goal after goal for the club, persuading Watford to spend £10,000 on the front-man in December 1994.

Phillips was quickly thrown into the “deep end” due to injuries at the Hertfordshire club, and he showed he could handle the step up as he netted nine times in just 16 games during his first season at the club.

Phillips continued where he had left off in the 95-96 season, excelling by scoring 11 League goals for a club that struggled overall. Phillips` season though, ended in disaster when he suffered an injury to his foot that would ultimately keep him out of action for a year. By the time Phillips returned to first team action, Watford had been relegated and found themselves plying their trade in Division 2.

A potential move to Ipswich was scrapped due to terms not being agreed, but Phillips eventually did move away from Vicarage Road , with Sunderland paying £600,000 for his services at the end of the 96-97 Season.

It was at The Stadium of Light where Phillips turned himself into one of Europe `s finest strikers. The forward built up an excellent partnership with Niall Quinn, which had Division 1 defenders all around the country quaking in their boots. Phillips went on to have a truly amazing season, at one point scoring in seven consecutive games, and becoming the first Sunderland player to score 30 goals in a season since Brian Clough, eventually ending up with 35 goals in all competitions. Once again though, “Super Kev” found his season ending in disaster, when he was injured in the play-off final against Charlton, a memorable game of football which eventually saw Charlton win 7-6 on penalties, following a 4-4 draw in normal and extra time.

The 98-99 season was just as successful for Phillips, as he scored a total of 25 goals in all competitions, despite playing only 32 games. Sunderland were finally promoted, amassing 105 points in the process. The striker`s brilliant form was rewarded, when he was called up to the England squad, making his debut against Hungary .

Questions were asked of Phillips` ability to keep scoring at Premiership level. Indeed, Rodney Marsh claimed that Phillips would ‘struggle to get 6 goals’. Phillips` rammed the pundit`s words straight back down his throat, smashing in 30 League goals as Sunderland finished 7th in the Premiership. Indeed, his place as a Sunderland legend was secured when he scored the winner away to Sunderland`s hated rivals Newcastle , lobbing Newcastle keeper Tommy Wright.

During the 2000-01 season, Phillips found himself being given a lot more attention by Premiership defenders, thanks to his amazing exploits the previous year. He still managed to chip in with 18 goals in all competitions however, and Sunderland once again excelled, equaling their finish of the previous season.

Phillips contributed a further 13 goals for the club in the 2001-02 season, as the Mackems sruggled to 17th place in the Premiership.

Things only got worse for the striker and his club, as Sunderland finished last in the Premiership, Phillips scoring 6 League goals.

Sunderland found themselves in financial trouble, and in 2003, Phillips moved from the Stadium of Light to Southampton, having played 209 games for Sunderland , scoring a staggering 115 goals.

Phillips struggled to regain his excellent goal scoring form at Southampton , though he did net once in the UEFA Cup, eventually finishing the campaign with 13 goals.

The forward matched that goal tally the next season, but Southampton were relegated.

Phillips wanted to stay in the top tier of English football, and Aston Villa proved to be his next club, with the midlands outfit coughing up £1 Million. Phillips scored on his debut, and secured his place in Villa folklore with the winner against hated rivals, Birmingham City . The arrival of Martin O`Neill though, proved to be the end of Phillips` time at Villa Park, and he moved across the midlands in 2006, with West Brom signing him for £700,000.

The 5 ft 7 inch striker played a big part in firing the Baggies into the play-off final, scoring 19 league goals.

Better was to follow for the striker, and in the 2007-08 season, Phillips was in electric form, scoring 22 League goals, despite suffering a knee-injury in November, keeping him out for six weeks, as West Brom cantered to Promotion. QPR fans may well remember the last day of the 07-08 Season, as West Brom fans dressed up in Superhero outfits, in tribute to “Super Kev”.

Rangers found themselves linked with the striker in the close season, but Birmingham won the race to his signature, Phillips signing a one-year contract that could rise to two, if he plays in 19 or more League games.

Phillips has started his career excellently at Birmingham , having scored 3 goals already this season. If selected tomorrow, Phillips will be a huge thorn in the side of the R`s central defence, as he looks to fire yet another side into the promised land of the Premiership.

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