West Brom move backfires as Nat Phillips decision sparks Derby County debate

It has been an outstanding campaign so far for Derby County and John Eustace, with the Rams exceeding expectations as they push for a place in the Championship play-offs. The race, however, remains fiercely competitive, and maintaining their current momentum will be crucial in the weeks ahead.

The battle for a top-six finish is tighter than ever. Sides that struggled last season, including Derby, Hull City and Preston North End, are now competing near the summit. In contrast, teams that impressed during the 2024/25 campaign, such as Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, have seen their fortunes dip.

West Brom’s downturn has been particularly surprising. Few anticipated the West Midlands outfit would find themselves dragged into a relegation scrap, yet that is the reality. Since the appointment of Eric Ramsay, the Baggies have failed to secure a victory, collecting just three points in that stretch.

Defensive frailties have plagued Albion throughout this run, with a heavy 5-0 defeat to Norwich City underlining their struggles at the back. Despite the chaos, one defender has stood out though he may now be questioning his decision to move to The Hawthorns.

Over the summer, Nat Phillips attracted considerable interest across the Championship as he prepared to end his nine-year association with Liverpool. Having made 29 appearances for the Reds and spent much of his time out on loan, his most productive spell came at Derby last term.

Playing alongside Sondre Langas and Matt Clarke, Phillips was instrumental in helping the Rams preserve their Championship status, and there was strong interest in securing his services permanently.

Although a return to Pride Park did not materialise, he remained in the division by signing a three-year contract with West Brom, where he was expected to bolster their promotion push.

Instead, the season has unravelled. Albion sit just two points above the relegation zone and would occupy 22nd place had Leicester City not been handed a six-point deduction. Meanwhile, Derby are firmly in the play-off conversation.

At Pride Park, Clarke and Langas have maintained their impressive standards, while goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has emerged as one of the division’s standout performers behind them. Additionally, Dion Sanderson has become a key figure.

The defender joined on loan from Birmingham City at the start of the campaign and, after an uncertain beginning, quickly established himself as a central part of Eustace’s plans.

Derby moved swiftly to make Sanderson’s deal permanent in January, and he has since continued to deliver, registering his seventh clean sheet of the season against Swansea City. Comfortable in both a back three and a traditional centre-back pairing, he has slotted seamlessly into the side.

While Derby may have welcomed Phillips back with open arms last summer, it is now the West Brom defender who might be casting envious glances toward Pride Park, as his priority shifts to steering the Baggies clear of a drop into League One.