Source: Team_Talk
Phillips wants to keep on playing
Phillips achieved the milestone with a last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew's after coming off the substitute's bench.[LNB]It was a massive blow to the Gunners' Premier League title hopes and once again emphasised the impact Phillips can still have at the top level.[LNB]Whether he will still be at Blues next season remains to be seen as Phillips - a long time Arsenal fan - is out of contract in the summer.[LNB]Phillips maintains he will play on next season regardless, although he insists he will not drop below the Championship.[LNB]Phillips said: "It means a lot to get to 250 goals. It has been a great career and it is certainly not over yet. I've built a career on putting the ball away when it comes into the box.[LNB]"You don't just lose that overnight. I will lose my legs eventually. I am not a player who will run past players at pace.[LNB]"But, give me the ball in the box, and I'd like to think a good percentage of the time, I'll put it in the back of the net.[LNB]"Someone said to me, who is well respected in the game, that you want to play at the highest level as long as you can. It is easier to go down than to come back up.[LNB]"I won't be one of those players in three or four years time who will still be playing in the lower divisions. The Championship is as far down as I would go."[LNB]Phillips is to take the first steps towards moving into coaching although he is adamant that he wants to continue playing for the 2010-2011 campaign.[LNB]The former Sunderland player said: "I'm going to start my coaching badges in a couple of weeks. I think it is important I get them on board.[LNB]"You just never know, you might get a call at the end of the season to become a player coach.[LNB]"As long as you've got the qualifications, then I would look at that although I'm not saying I'd definitely do it.[LNB]"At this stage of my career, I just want to concentrate on playing for next season. I am definitely going to play on for another season.[LNB]"I feel fit to play on for another year or two, definitely another year. I'm not ready to retire yet."[LNB]Phillips believes City's last-gasp equaliser against the Gunners once again highlighted the never-say-die spirit Alex McLeish has built into the team.[LNB]He said: "That showed what we have been all about this season. We have gone behind numerous times this season and never let our heads drop.[LNB]"We always believe we can get back into a game. To come back against a side with the quality of Arsenal, shows a lot of character.[LNB]"We've frustrated teams and managed to score in vital games at the right time. We haven't scored bundles of goals but we have scored crucial goals.[LNB]"Now we want to finish as high as we possibly can in the Premier League and not let what has been a great season tail off in the last few games."[LNB][LNB] Barclays Prem 2009/10 Win Outright: Arsenal 11/2
