Matt Phillips was an important player for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship last season, scoring five goals and providing six assists as the Baggies just missed out on promotion.

The 28-year-old scored his second goal of the new season against Blackburn Rovers last time out, one day after signing a new three-year contract extension at the Hawthorns, committing his future to the club until 2022.

His performance against Rovers was outstanding. He was full of energy and confidence throughout. His finish for the equalising goal was superb and he also hit the bar in the second half.

Phillips has got all the attributes that you want in an attacking player and he is capable of producing moments that can change games.

He has got pace, strength, power and a sharp eye for goal. He can play through the middle as well as in wide areas, making him a very useful option for any manager to have in his team.

He is also not afraid to get stuck in. He covers a lot of  ground on the right flank and is able to get back help out defensively, which is very important and will have no doubt impressed Slaven Bilic.

He seems to be really enjoying his football at the moment and now that his contract situation is sorted, he can play with more confidence and freedom.

Not only that, but he has got plenty of experience in the Championship too, which will be very important because West Brom have a lot of young players in their team who will be able to learn from his attitude and professionalism.

You need to have the right balance of youth and experience and Phillips is now one of the more experienced players in the squad.

The likes of Kyle Edwards, Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira will be able to learn a great deal from playing and training alongside him.

Phillips is one of the players who was part of the West Brom team that suffered heartache in the play-offs last season and he will be determined to put things right this season and help the team win promotion.

Bilic seems to have been able to get the best out of Phillips so far this season and the winger seems to have totally bought into the direction that the Croatian wants to take the club.

If he continues to play as he has been, there is no reason why he cannot better last season's total of five goals and six assists.

It does not appear as though it took much for Bilic to persuade Phillips to sign a new contract, but it looks like it could turn out to be a masterstroke. He could have a very important role to play for the Baggies in the Championship this season.