High praise for West Brom defender following eye-catching debut
Boss Ryan Mason has backed Nat Phillips to play a leading role for Albion after a stunning debut.
Summer recruit Phillips, the former Liverpool centre-back, enjoyed a colossal competitive bow for the club as he helped Albion secure a 1-0 victory against Blackburn in Mason's first game at the helm.
Phillips, 28, starred as the Baggies kept a clean sheet in an encouraging opener to the Championship campaign as Isaac Price's early strike secured the win.
The defender has been tipped to play a leading role in the dressing room at The Hawthorns, bringing a vocal presence to the Baggies ranks.
"He had some real big moments, especially late on, along with some of the other boys," Mason said after the win.
