Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder James Morrison has revealed he would have handed the captain's armband to Alex Mowatt had the midfielder remained at The Hawthorns this season. Mowatt, who joined Middlesbrough in the summer, was a key figure in Albion's promotion push last term, and Morrison believes his leadership qualities were undervalued.
Morrison's High Regard for Mowatt
Speaking to the media, Morrison said: "I'd have made him captain, simple as that. He's a leader, he's vocal, and he sets the tone in training and on the pitch. It was a shame to see him go."
The Scot, who made over 300 appearances for Albion, watched Mowatt's development closely during his time at the club. Mowatt joined West Brom in 2021 and quickly became a fan favourite for his combative style and ability to control games from midfield.
Mowatt's Impact at West Brom
During the 2022-23 season, Mowatt made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing five assists. His performances were instrumental in helping Albion reach the Championship play-offs, where they eventually lost to Southampton in the semi-finals.
His departure to Middlesbrough, where he reunited with former boss Michael Carrick, was seen as a significant loss by many supporters. Morrison echoed that sentiment, adding: "He's the type of player you need in your dressing room. He's a winner, and he drags others along with him."
Leadership Void at The Hawthorns
With Mowatt gone, West Brom have had to look elsewhere for leadership. Current captain Jed Wallace has taken on the role, but Morrison believes Mowatt's departure leaves a gap that is hard to fill.
"It's not just what he does on the pitch, it's what he does off it," Morrison continued. "He's the first to speak up when things aren't going well, and he's the first to praise others when they do well. That's priceless."
Albion currently sit 11th in the Championship table, and Morrison's comments highlight the ongoing debate among fans about whether the club should have done more to keep Mowatt. The midfielder has already made an impact at Middlesbrough, scoring twice in his first five league appearances.
Looking ahead, Morrison remains optimistic about Albion's future but insists the club must learn from such departures. "You can't keep letting players like that go and expect to compete at the top," he said. "I hope the club understands that."
