West Bromwich Albion legend James Morrison has praised Josh Maja's confidence, describing it as having a "swagger", but has also urged the striker to remain grounded as the season progresses.
Maja, who joined the Baggies in the summer, has made an immediate impact, scoring goals and becoming a key figure in the team's early-season form. Morrison, who spent over a decade at The Hawthorns, believes the Nigerian's self-belief is a positive attribute, but he stressed the importance of staying level-headed.
Morrison on Maja's impact
Speaking to the club's official website, Morrison said: "He's got a bit of a swagger about him, which is good for a striker. You need that confidence to score goals. But he's also got to stay grounded because the Championship is a long, tough season."
Morrison, now a coach at the club's academy, has been impressed with Maja's start, noting that his movement and finishing have been top-notch. He added: "He's shown great movement in the box and his finishing has been clinical. If he keeps that up, he'll be a big player for us this season."
Maja's early-season form
Maja has scored four goals in his first seven appearances for the Baggies, helping them to an unbeaten start in the Championship. His performances have drawn praise from fans and pundits alike, with some already comparing him to former West Brom strikers.
However, Morrison warned that the pressure will increase as the season goes on, and Maja will need to handle the expectations. "The fans will expect goals every week now. He's set his own standards, and he needs to keep hitting them," Morrison said.
Looking ahead
West Brom currently sit in the top six, and Morrison believes Maja's form could be crucial in their push for promotion. "If he can stay consistent and keep scoring, we've got a real chance of going up. But it's about maintaining that level over the whole season."
Maja will be hoping to continue his scoring run when West Brom face their next league fixture, with Morrison backing him to handle the spotlight.
