Championship safety was sealed with the point Albion needed to wrap things up. Albion ensured Championship football at The Hawthorns next season with the goalless draw against Ipswich. Here are some of the talking points from the Tractor Boys stalemate in the debrief.
And breathe...
Albion’s form could hardly have been stronger in recent weeks, but relief was still palpable inside The Hawthorns at the sound of the full-time whistle. The news of a two-point deduction after the outcome of the EFL hearing had re-introduced some nerves when it came to survival - even though James Morrison’s men needed just a point. The news clearly galvanised the fanbase inside The Hawthorns, where there was a clear sense of injustice from the stands. The support was passionate and carried real feeling. Albion were too strong for Ipswich for 60 minutes but that dominance waned and there might have been punishment for not taking chances, but Morrison’s men were too solid defensively. There was little mood to celebrate at the end, but more to toast a stunning final two months and 10 matches unbeaten orchestrated by one man and his backroom team.
Morrison underlines legend status
The former midfielder had nothing to prove to anybody when stepping up into the head coach role. Other than, perhaps himself, that is. Morrison has long had aspiration of such a job and he knows the risks that come with it. He knows the element of being a genius one week and villain of the piece the next is all part and parcel. ‘Mozza’ could never be jeered out of The Hawthorns but his determination to lead the club in a new era extends into a desire to be next in charge. It was unimaginable the 39-year-old could boost his status at The Hawthorns but, in the stadium’s 125th year, Morrison has further enhanced his position as a modern-day club legend for almost single-handedly staving off relegation. It is surely a feat right up there with his impressive heights as a player.
Calibre of opponents
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich are not the only top side Albion have gone toe-to-toe with under Morrison. As well as the Tractor Boys, the Baggies have faced sides in third, fifth, sixth and seventh in this run since Morrison succeeded Eric Ramsay. It was not so long ago, around the time of defeat at Oxford in Morrison’s opener, the remaining fixture list daunted any Baggie. Fixtures, particularly at home, looked concerning. Ipswich, with a number of former Albion players such as Darnell Furlong involved, were the latest top outfit to test Morrison’s Albion. Handily-timed clashes against mid-table outfits Preston and Watford in the last week certainly helped find a couple of priceless wins. But those performances to more than match sides gunning for promotion tells you everything about the progress. Left-back Callum Styles, who won two player of the season awards ahead of kick-off, suggested the players do not want the season to end now, given the form. It makes you wonder what could have been.
Hawthorns farewells?
It could very well be the final time long-serving players Daryl Dike, Josh Maja and Karlan Grant featured at The Hawthorns as their contracts run to an end. Dike was applauded off after a busy display. He has been bright in recent weeks under Morrison and if it is the end for him at Albion, then the American has played a telling role in this safety push. Maja entered as a substitute and has also reminded of his quality of late. Grant’s final season has been hit by injury but it was good for him to get on the pitch. Captain Jed Wallace can hopefully feature at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday after some light training last week. It could be sweeping changes in the Baggies’ attacking ranks and, in the case of all of the above, it could be a welcome time for a fresh start.
