James Morrison backs 'immense' West Brom defender recover from derby nightmare

The Baggies central defender saw his pass picked out by the hosts’ Fer Lopez to convert Sunday’s winner in Albion’s 1-0 defeat at Molineux.

Former Liverpool stopper Phillips has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign for Morrison’s side as has been influential in some of the early-season victories.

And the Baggies head coach will not lay any of the blame at Phillips’ door, but instead called for the experienced 29-year-old to show a response.

"He owned up to his mistake,” Morrison said. “He's been immense over the last couple of weeks.

"Mistakes happen and I just want to see a reaction from him really.

Phillips was put under pressure deep into his own half, near the edge of his penalty area, by a pass from midfielder Jayson Molumby.

Such risk-reward passes around their own defensive third have been a feature of Morrison’s Albion so far this season as a vibrant flowing style caught the eye in the early weeks of the campaign.

But both Morrison and experienced left-back Conor Townsend felt the Baggies went away from what they had done so well this season in the Molineux showdown.

The head coach felt his side struggled with belief on the big stage.

He added: “It was disappointing we didn’t have the belief in the team.

“My experience at this football club knows the occasion and what it would mean with the outcome of a of victory and that's what I was hoping for, but we’ll just have to put it right next time.”

Phillips leads the way for Albion clearances so far in this season’s Championship, with 50 in total, 13 more than partner George Campbell. His average per 90 minutes of 7.1 also leads the way for his club.