West Brom's Points Target Unchanged as Morrison Backs Squad Focus
West Bromwich Albion's head coach, James Morrison, has confirmed that the team's targeted points haul for the season remains unchanged, despite recent charges from the English Football League (EFL) over alleged financial breaches. Morrison expressed confidence in his players' ability to stay focused on the pitch as they battle relegation in the Championship.
Focus on Football Amid EFL Charges
The Baggies are set to face Preston North End at Deepdale this Saturday, marking the start of a crucial four-game run-in. Albion likely need to secure a handful of points from these fixtures to mathematically ensure survival, though this could be impacted by potential points deductions if found guilty in an upcoming hearing this month. Morrison emphasized that his squad's target has not shifted due to the off-field issues.
"No, it's still the same," Morrison stated. "We've got the target out of the four games and we need to hit that. This week I've seen it. The players are hungry to get that target and ultimately we have to start on Saturday. This doesn't determine the outcome of what we need."
Morrison's Confidence in the Squad
Morrison, who is in charge until the end of the season, highlighted the strength and resilience of his squad, which is currently on a seven-match unbeaten run. He assured that the EFL charges would not derail the team's focus or performance.
"I think you can see how strong the group is. I don't see this knocking the group. I won't let it happen," he added. "We'll keep doing the things that have been getting us into this position. If we keep doing the right things, positive results will come."
Background on EFL Charges
The EFL has charged Albion with breaching profit and sustainability regulations, with a hearing scheduled for this month to determine guilt. The club insists it has complied with all regulations. The contested issue revolves around approximately £5 million in interest payments from historical loans dating back to the ownership of Guochuan Lai.
Morrison acknowledged the challenges but reiterated his focus on football matters. "I think with where we were, there were still going to be hurdles to get over. This one's just one of them. There are people in the club who are working to resolve that and putting plans in place. I'll leave that to them and we'll keep working on the pitch," he said.
Upcoming Fixtures and Season Goals
Following the Preston match, Albion will host Watford on Tuesday night in another critical game. Morrison remains optimistic about the team's chances to finish the season strongly, regardless of potential sanctions.
"If a sanction comes then it will come later down the line, so we've still got two weeks of just football. I've got a team to pick," Morrison explained. "I've got to focus on the performance, the right performance, things we can get better at, so that's all that's on my mind. A target has been there ever since I started this role. So we all know what we're going for."
He also reflected on the team's recent form, recalling the celebratory scenes after their last win against Bristol City as motivation. "I keep referring back to Bristol City, the scenes afterwards there. They're the celebrations we want. It’s what the lads deserve. The lads should be pushing for that, those feelings and how proud they can be of the togetherness, the fans singing afterwards, that’s what we want," Morrison concluded.
