Kevin Phillips believes the Baggies will have their work cut out (Getty)
New Birmingham City striker Kevin Phillips believes his old club West Bromwich Albion will find the top flight a very tough challenge.
Phillips dropped a division to move to St Andrew's in the hope of playing regular first team football.
"No disrespect, but I feel at the moment if the squad stays the way it is then West Brom are going to find it difficult," Phillips told BBC WM.
"But with the quality they've got I'm sure they'll do well."
If it was to go down the route of a Derby last year it's not nice
Kevin Phillips on Albion
Phillips has experienced relegation battles during his successful playing spell at Sunderland, and it is not something he relished.
"I've been in teams that have been relegated. You get beaten week in, week out," he noted.
"If it was to go down the route of a Derby last year, it's not nice. It's not a nice place to be around."
The former England striker agreed a two-year contract at Blues after rejecting a third season at the Hawthorns because he was not guaranteed a first-team place.
"I worked hard these last two seasons and played a lot of games," said Phillips, "whereas to spend most of this season on the bench, for me I don't want to do that.
"I want a chance to come here, hopefully play a lot of games, and be in a team that's going to be challenging at the top of the league."
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