James Morrison achieved a phenomenal feat by leading West Bromwich Albion to Championship safety, despite a dramatic 11th-hour points deduction. The club's statement on Friday afternoon was admirably bullish, declaring, "For now, we will settle this on the pitch." Less than 24 hours later, the Baggies confidently completed their rescue act.
The reluctant hero
Step up James Morrison, the reluctant and understated hero. A goalless draw against high-flying Ipswich was all the hosts needed to secure their Championship status once again. Has any club had to do so twice in a week? What an unbelievable feat Morrison has achieved.
A run of 10 games unbeaten, consisting of four wins and six draws, was simply impossible to predict. A defensive resilience so missing this season under Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay has been the bedrock of success. Seven clean sheets in eight games and five in a row, with no goals conceded for nearly 500 minutes, speaks for itself.
Attacking approach wins fans
But Morrison's football is not entirely inspired by one of his old bosses, Tony Pulis. It is not a shut-up-shop, pragmatic, safety-first approach. Albion have looked as bright and vibrant in possession and on the front foot under Morrison as they have in several years. The former midfielder's attacking approach is a big part of why fans have been so supportive. Six draws included three 0-0s, but that does not tell the full story.
The Hawthorns was rocking on Saturday, sounding better than it has for some time. The fans had the bit between their collective teeth, driven by a sense of injustice over the English Football League's points deduction. The backdrop spurred on Morrison's men, who needed no extra motivation. The head coach told the Express & Star afterwards he barely had to give a team talk before kick-off.
Players respond to points deduction
The club learned of the two-point deduction late on Friday afternoon. Morrison was addressed by club chiefs, including Shilen Patel, Ian Pearce, and Dominic Price, before speaking to his players. "You don't need to speak to us, Mozz," was how his squad responded to the news of the potentially damaging penalty. The focus and belief, both at the training ground and at the team hotel in Walsall, were unwavering. The players were crystal clear on their requirements for the penultimate match.
Dominant display against Ipswich
Albion were excellent and deserved the point against a Tractor Boys side pushing for promotion. For much of the first hour, Morrison's determined team ran all over the visitors from Suffolk. The supporters and players fed off one another, with an extra tingle in the air and the decibels cranked up. There was a sense of injustice in the stands as fans broadcast their ire against the EFL. The atmosphere in the final five or 10 minutes was spine-tingling and helped carry the hosts over the line.
One wondered whether the Baggies might rue the gilt-edged opportunities they spurned while on top. Daryl Dike had two chances, one in each half, and Aune Heggebo had another in a full-throttle first period. For Dike and substitutes Josh Maja and Karlan Grant, all out of contract, it was likely a Hawthorns farewell. Kieran McKenna's Ipswich improved with the help of their stronger bench, but bar a couple of Jack Clarke openings, the Baggies were barely troubled.
Remarkable turnaround
Championship survival is not to be celebrated for Albion, but where the club have come from in eight weeks is remarkable. The Baggies were doomed, looking dead and buried around the time of defeat at Oxford in Morrison's first game. Many, certainly externally, had given up hope and resigned themselves to League One football for the first time in more than three decades.
Not Morrison and his staff, though, who retained belief and a clear message that results and confidence can snowball. The former Scotland international is determined to make it 11 games unbeaten and properly finish the campaign at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough next weekend. What a statement it would be to end the season without defeat since his first match. Not that Morrison needs it; his efforts over the last two months have been astounding.
Morrison deserves the job
Morrison has saved the day, no question. He deserves the job. He is understood to be keen on the role and could not have done any more. The structure and backroom team must be right, but owner Shilen Patel would be a bold man to go in any other direction.
