The scathing pundit verdict that fired Kevin Phillips up for winning the European Golden Shoe

Phillips has been discussing his remarkable career on Wearside with the club’s non-executive director David Jones.

After two prolific campaigns in what was then Division One, Phillips took his game to a new level in the top tier, scoring 30 goals as the Black Cats finished seventh under Peter Reid.

Phillips was the top scorer in both the Premier League and on the continent, and he admits doubts about how he would manage the transition on the build-up to the campaign acted as crucial inspiration.

“One of the biggest things for me was having people say that I wouldn’t score goals in the Premier League,” Phillips said.

“That was another challenge for me, to prove them wrong, which I’d had to do all my career really.

“One in particular was Rodney Marsh, who had come out and said that he didn’t think I’d score more than five in the Premier League.

“No one really rankled me in my career but that one comment really did, and I was desperate to prove him wrong.

“Thankfully I was able to do that.”

Despite that, Phillips admits that getting off the mark early in the campaign was key in proving to himself that he could manage the step up.

Sunderland were thumped by Chelsea on the opening day of the season but bounced back days later to beat Watford at the Stadium of Light.

Phillips scored twice, once from the penalty spot and once with an outstanding strike from outside the area.

“It was huge,” he said.

“It wasn’t my first goal for Sunderland but it was another challenge, the journey I’d had from non-league to the Premier League was quite quick really, only four-and-a-bit years.

“We still have it now when players come up from the Championship.

“I agree it’s easier to score in that league but I’d always say that the goals are the same size, it’s about being in a side that can create those chances for you.”