[Throstletown]

The trouble is Philips is the bravest out of Grant, Robinson and himself. Doesn't say much does it
When you've got 3 upfront who are be scared to put their foot in your not going to win many 8/20 balls never mind 50/50's   

[timdon]

I'm not seeing this work rate at all. Hides for much of the game, he can't beat his man any more, and he bottles most 50/50 balls. A really poor shadow of what he once was. Just a burden on the wage bill for the next 30 months or so.

[smethwickw]

I remember him bottling a challenge in a game that led to a goal in our relegation season under Pardew. He should never have played for us again after that. The bloke is gutless.

[baggie82]

I'm not seeing this work rate at all. Hides for much of the game, he can't beat his man any more, and he bottles most 50/50 balls. A really poor shadow of what he once was. Just a burden on the wage bill for the next 30 months or so.

Correct.

[alex1]

I remember him bottling a challenge in a game that led to a goal in our relegation season under Pardew. He should never have played for us again after that. The bloke is gutless.

Its a bit much using an error from years ago to have a pop at a player, when there are errors every match.
He has been poor lately, but like many wingers, he's inconsistent. When we were playing well, you'll find he was often involved with our best attacking moves because he spots openings quicker than most. But agreed, he's never been a physical player.
   

[SmethDan]

Well I suggest he puts his eye for an incisive pass back in pretty sharpish as it appears to be gathering dust on a sideboard somewhere (a very expensive one - presumably ) .

[TheBrom]

I remember him bottling a challenge in a game that led to a goal in our relegation season under Pardew. He should never have played for us again after that. The bloke is gutless.

Was it also Phillips that went down injured under Pulis just after we’d used our last sub and was told to carry on playing, to which he just stood in the centre circle for the last 5 minutes and refused to move?

[Adder]

Was it also Phillips that went down injured under Pulis just after we’d used our last sub and was told to carry on playing, to which he just stood in the centre circle for the last 5 minutes and refused to move?

May be right but he had a totally knackered hamstring I believe - it ain't easy running with a serious hamstring issue. There are enough current problems, do we have to dig up episodes from several years ago ?

[Albionic]

Was it also Phillips that went down injured under Pulis just after we’d used our last sub and was told to carry on playing, to which he just stood in the centre circle for the last 5 minutes and refused to move?

dont recollect that ?!

[TheBrom]

May be right but he had a totally knackered hamstring I believe - it ain't easy running with a serious hamstring issue. There are enough current problems, do we have to dig up episodes from several years ago ?

Oh totally. Just one of many examples of him having the heart of a mouse.

[Adder]

Oh totally. Just one of many examples of him having the heart of a mouse.

No that wasn't such an example at all. 

[Maresca Was A Baggie]

Is it me, or does this guy always get injured at the turn of the year? He barely plays the 2nd half of a season.

[gazberg]

Is it me, or does this guy always get injured at the turn of the year? He barely plays the 2nd half of a season.

He's always out for half a season, that's why the brainiacs in charge give him 3 more years.

[bosh]

If he had a performance related contract like Livermore has with 20 games played an extension comes into play, Matty would never get a rollover.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Is it me, or does this guy always get injured at the turn of the year? He barely plays the 2nd half of a season.

He’s a fair weather player.  Too cold to play in the autmumn and winter.

He’ll return for the warmer months.

A total joke that he was given a contract extension.

[Albionic]

He's fit when a contract extension / transfer is in the offing !  he is the 2nd most annoying player on the staff for me (Zohore = 1st)

[gazberg]

He's fit when a contract extension / transfer is in the offing !  he is the 2nd most annoying player on the staff for me (Zohore = 1st)

Good news is that Zohore is only here for 1 more season at the end of tihs season and 2 more seasons for Phillips. Unless we extend them next year of course?

[timdon]

Good news is that Zohore is only here for 1 more season at the end of tihs season and 2 more seasons for Phillips. Unless we extend them next year of course?

That's good news? I'd hate to hear the bad news. 

[gazberg]

That's good news? I'd hate to hear the bad news. 

I was being sarcy but clearly i didn't do it well haha. 

It's just depressing really isn't it 

[timdon]

I was being sarcy but clearly i didn't do it well haha. 

It's just depressing really isn't it 

I realised that, which was why I put a grin at the end of my post. Yeah, thoroughly depressing.

[caravanc58]

When is Mr AWOL due to return to service?

[TheBaggieMan]

When is Mr AWOL due to return to service?

When he’s finished re-decorating the treatment room with a second coat of whitewash.
Taxi for Phillips but….  mustn’t gwumble!

[LiamTheBaggie]

When is Mr AWOL due to return to service?

In time for his next contract extension.

We’ve gone past winter now so he should return shortly 

[KN22]

We all make jokes about him, gallows humour I guess. On a serious note though, the contract extension given to him is an absolutely terrible decision, it really is. I have no desire to see him in our team again, that is just my personal view.

[SmethDan]

Given the amount of time he spends in the hydropool I'm going to be mildly disappointed if he doesn't come back sporting fully webbed feet and hands. I wonder whether his teammates have started calling him Aqua Man yet  .