West Brom's Mr Versatile may hand Steve Bruce key alternative options

Matt Phillips has spent the majority of his footballing career as a winger, but the West Bromwich Albion man has played a different role in pre-season under Steve Bruce.

Since arriving from Queens Park Rangers in 2015, Phillips has played the majority of his time at the Hawthorns as a right winger, with the odd appearance on the left and as an attacking midfielder. But under Bruce, he seems to be transitioning into an unfamiliar position.

On Wednesday evening at Northampton Town, the 31-year-old entered proceedings with the Baggies two goals up and was handed a more deeper role than usual. Alongside Grady Diangana, Alex Mowatt and John Swift, Phillips was part of a free-for-all midfield four that alternated positions behind Daryl Dike and then Karlan Grant.

His impressive cameo warranted a place in the starting line-up on Saturday as the Baggies were held to 1-1 draw at League Two Crewe Alexandra, and the former Scotland international was levels above his opponents in the middle of the park.

Bruce lined him up alongside the same players he had at Sixfields three days earlier. Mowatt protected the back four in a deeper position whilst Swift and Phillips patrolled the middle. They were the main root of Albion's attacking prowess.

Both technically talented, the pair moved around the Gresty Road surface with ease as West Brom were clearly the better side. For Swift, it's a common theme in his game that attracted Albion to his signature earlier in the summer, but for Phillips, he's quickly providing Bruce with a problem in his midfield selection this season.

Phillips was positioned on the right of the midfield two, partnering Wallace in attacks to apply pressure on 18-year-old Charlie Finney at left-back. The duo's