Jonathan Greening admits he thought Kevin Phillips was some sort of idiot when he insisted on being called 'Super Kev' following his arrival at West Brom.
But 18 months later Greening has discovered that he is the fool for doubting the former England striker as Phillips more than lives up to his name and reputation.
Before kick-off all the talk was of Hull's Dean Windass grabbing the headlines on his 600th league appearance at the age of 38.
But it was fellow veteran Phillips who stole the show with an outstanding display to help the Baggies return to the top of the Championship and leave the Tigers' unbeaten home run of eight games in tatters.
Phillips, 34, opened the scoring inside two minutes with his 16th goal of the season and fifth in the last four games.
He also set-up another for James Morrison and showed all his guile and experience to prove he is performing as well as ever as a return to the Premier League beckons.
Greening said: "Kevin is one of the best professionals I've ever worked with. He is 34 but is still running around like a teenager.
"He wants to play every game and has been great for us.
When he first came to the club he asked to be called 'Super'.
"To be honest, we thought he must be a bit of a plonker, but now we know why. He has been super.
"The championship is going to be tight but Kevin has that bit of extra class that you need. He can make the difference." The Tigers pulled a goal back through Richard Garcia with 20 minutes remaining but even the sending off of Paul Robinson for his second bookable offence two minutes later failed to stop Tony Mowbray's men.
Substitute Roman Bednar added a third with the last kick of the game and Mowbray insists Phillips will continue to shine in the top flight should the Baggies return there.
He said: "I see him train every day and I see what a fantastic physique he's got for a man of his age.
"You should see him with his shirt off. He's a great role model for the younger players at the club. His experience is so crucial. He's a big voice in our dressing room. He gets respect and he's helping us do our job.
"Whenever you do a running session he's out at the front. He just gets the job done.
"If you get into the Premiership then you need your good players with you and I would have no fears about Kevin doing the business up there again, none whatsoever."
Tigers boss Phil Brown admitted: "I thought we matched them football-wise for large periods, which is positive.
"We can take heart from that because West Brom will win one of the two automatic promotion places without a doubt, they are the best side in the division."