Phillips: United don’t scare us
KEVIN PHILLIPS insists newly-promoted Birmingham City have nothing to fear when they open their new Premier League account with a visit to Manchester United on Sunday.
Veteran striker Phillips, 36, is back in the top-flight after a two-year absence having won back-to-back promotions with West Brom and then the Blues.
His reward is a daunting opening weekend trip to Old Trafford, but the former Sunderland and Watford hitman believes the pressure will be on the champions to make a solid start.
Phillips said: “For me, the first game of the season is a good start for us. Everyone says ‘oh, Manchester United away’ but I’d rather it be that than Wolves at home because the pressure would then be straight on you. We go to Old Trafford and there’s no pressure on us, no-one gives us hope in hell’s chance. Newcastle went there last year and nicked a 1-1 draw, Reading the year before as well.”
Survival is surely the name of the game for boss Alex McLeish this year, but Phillips believes the team have what it takes to enjoy a successful season. “We’ve definitely got the players it’s just about trying to find that formation, that consistency, and settling down, which I’m sure will happen.”