Player Focus: Phillips Proving He Has The Tools to Help QPR to Safety
He controlled the ball and strode forward with confidence before unleashing from 40 yards to net what can rightly be considered a Premier League goal of the season contender. Had, say, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted such a wonder strike, fans will have been discussing the goal for years to come. Matthew Phillips’ thumping effort in QPR’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace may be forgotten before long, but it was a goal worthy of the highest praise.
Alan Pardew, after overseeing his side’s victory, claimed Phillips strike was better than David Beckham’s for Manchester United against Wimbledon on the same ground in 1996. Whether it was a hit-and-hope effort from the Scotland international or Phillips spotted Julian Speroni off his line is unclear, but the technique to pelt the ball into the top corner from such a distance warrants adulation. A goal of that quality reflects just how well the Scot has performed in recent weeks. Having failed to properly establish himself under Harry Redkanpp following his switch from Blackpool, Phillips is now beginning to repay the faith shown in him by new manager Chris Ramsey, with the player's confidence sky high.
QPR have enjoyed something of mini renaissance following back-to-back impressive away days at West Brom and Aston Villa. Phillips played a vital role in both fixtures, scoring 1 goal and registering a further 3 assists as the west London side secured 4 vital points in their bid to secure top-flight safety. In fact, 9 of the last 14 league goals QPR have scored have come with Phillips playing a key role (7 assists, 2 goals). Incredibly, only Barcelona star Lionel Messi (8) has registered more assists in Europe’s top 5 leagues in 2015 than Phillips (7) has managed for a struggling Hoops side. Quite the turn in fortunes for the winger.
Supporters of are finally seeing why the club spent £5m to secure his services back in 2013. It could well have been different for Phillips, however, who was reportedly offered to Wigan Athletic as part of a deal to bring Callum McManaman to Loftus Road at the turn of the year, only for winger to reject the move to the DW Stadium. McManaman ended up signing for West Brom, Phillips remained with QPR and Redknapp, who failed to bring in the players he wanted in January, quit as the R's boss the day after the transfer window slammed shut.
With a fresh start presented to him, Phillips has grasped the opportunity to hold down a starting berth in Ramsey’s plans and can now rightly be deemed undroppable. Since Ramsey’s first game in charge - a 1-0 defeat to Southampton - only Steven Caulker (810) has played more minutes of every QPR outfielder than Phillips (772), failing only to finish the 2-0 win at Sunderland.
A player of his calibre is perfect for a team striving to secure Premier League safety. Only Leroy Fer (2.2) is averaging more dribbles per game than Phillips (1.6) of all QPR players. Those leading the line, in particular club top scorer Charlie Austin (17 league goals), benefit from Phillips’ directness when in possession and when he does get to the byline, the attacker is capable of putting testing crosses into the box.
Only Joey Barton (1.4) is averaging more accurate crosses per league game of all QPR players than Phillips (1.3) and given that only Diafra Sakho (5) has scored more headed goals than Austin (4) in the Premier League this season, Phillips' approach is a great fit. The QPR striker has developed a WhoScored strength of ‘headed attempts’, so utilising his aerial threat is essential.
In their bid to survive the drop, getting the team playing to players’ strengths is crucial and Ramsey is doing just this. Getting the ball out wide and crossing to the frontmen - a back to basics approach in a 4-4-2 formation - is perhaps a less fashionable route to goal in modern football, but it is one that has given QPR a fighting chance of remaining in England’s top tier. Ramsey’s demands are clearly being adhered to by the players, with the combination of Phillips and Austin helping QPR to 3 league goals, the best return in the Premier League in 2015.
While QPR face league leaders Chelsea this weekend, their best chances of scoring between now and the end of the campaign will likely come through Phillips. The 24-year-old has seen his WhoScored rating improve significantly this campaign, from 6.06 during Redknapp's tenure to 7.56 under Ramsey. Given his recent form, it goes without saying that Phillips is proving to be the quick fix the Hoops manager required in QPR's survival bid.
Do you think Matthew Phillips' recent form will inspire QPR to Premier League safety this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
