Kevin Phillips keen to step up the pace

Sep 19 2008 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

BY HIS own admission, Kevin Phillips lives for scoring goals.

But he’s quite happy to see Blues as a mean machine defensively.

They have only conceded three times in the league, and Blues’ core strength is different to the Albion side Phillips helped to the Championship title last season.

“I’m not going to compare us to them but I think we have shown great resilience, especially against Doncaster,” said Phillips.

“And we defended very well against a team the other night, Bristol City, who surprised me really because they kind of went route one a lot, which wasn’t their style last year.

“Yes, we haven’t scored loads of goals, but we have scored when it’s mattered.

“If we continue doing what we’re doing I know we will get better and play a lot better football as the season goes on.

“I always said for the two years I was at West Brom we always let ourselves down at vital times in defensive areas. We haven’t done that, we’ve been solid, and if you can keep a clean sheet regularly, you’ve got a great chance of being promoted, and we’ve done that very well at the start.”

Blues played some slick football at Ashton Gate, suggesting they have not yet reached their true potential.

“We’re happy to be where we are at this stage of the season, I wouldn’t say we’re happy – and I’m sure the manager and everyone would say this – with the way we’ve played,” admitted Phillips, speaking at the announcement of Blues’ three-year deal with new travel partner FCm Travel Solutions.

“There is definitely a lot more to come from us,” he said.

“When I sit down and analyse it, part of me can’t believe we’re top of the league. But, at the end of the day, we will take it and I have said all along this is a tough, tough league.”