Kevin Phillips hails "fantastic" Roman Bednar

Jan 28 2008

By Chris Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

KEVIN Phillips has revealed that Roman Bednar is one of the 'best finishers' he has ever seen.

The Czech international was an unknown quantity when he arrived on loan from Heart of Midlothian during the summer.

But, since recovering from injury in November, the striker has smashed in 11 goals, including the opener in Albion's 3-0 win at Peterborough.

Phillips, a one-time winner of the Golden Boot awarded to Europe's top scorer, admits that Bednar's form has been eyecatching, claiming that he has more than proven his doubters wrong.

"Since he has got over that he has been fantastic and I think he has surprised everyone," said Phillips, who scored his 17th of the season with the final goal in Saturday's FA Cup victory.

"But having worked with him week in, week out, you see his finishing is excellent.

"He's one of the best finishers I've seen throughout my career and I've played with some top players so all credit to him.

"He's done exceptionally well. "I had never heard of him when he came here and I think that went for a few of the players.

"Veno and the manager were trying to tell us how good he was but we weren't sure.

"So full credit to Roman. He has been fantastic since he's been here and he is a good lad off the pitch as well.

"I can't speak highly enough of him." Phillips explained why there was an element of initial doubt following Bednar's arrival.

"The first week he was here we all looked and we weren't sure," he added.

"But he was carrying a back injury and since then he has been outstanding.

"He does it every day in training so it's no surprise now to see him scoring week in, week out.

"He's not an out and out target man but he has got good skill, he can run and he's not massive but he tends to win everything he goes up for.

"Most importantly whenever he gets around that 18-yard box or six-yard box he tends to hit the back of the net."