Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Fri 3 April 2026 10:00, UK

West Bromwich Albion defender Nat Phillips has outlined the tactical differences since James Morrison’s appointment.

The former Baggies midfielder was handed the job until the end of the season in February after the club endured a dismal spell with Eric Ramsay at the helm.

Following a 2-1 loss to Oxford United in his first match, Morrison has guided the West Midlands club to a four-match unbeaten run, with draws against Sheffield United and Southampton followed up by wins against Hull and Bristol City.

Morrison confirmed last month that he had held discussions with former West Brom bosses Tony Pulis and Tony Mowbray, and the inspiration has been clear.

With Albion preparing for huge outings against Wrexham and Blackburn, defender Phillips has outlined the differences since Morrison’s arrival.

Nat Phillips provides insight on tactical shift under James Morrison

Morrison is Albion’s third manager of the season, following failed projects under Ryan Mason and the aforementioned Ramsay.

Getting back to basics in training and on matchday, fortunes have since changed for the Black Country outfit, who have now forged a four point gap to the drop zone.

Speaking to Express & Star on the back-to-basics approach since Morrison’s appointment, Phillips said: “Certainly at first that’s how we saw it. To take away any potential areas of confusion or misunderstanding certainly helps.

“Also defensively, when we’re pressed in going after teams, I think everyone’s role is pretty clear. On top of that in terms of possession, having the two strikers at the top of the pitch helps us put teams under more pressure than we were doing.”

Issues up top have been prevalent throughout the term for the Baggies, with top scorer Aune Heggebo chipping in with nine goals, while Josh Maja has managed just two.

However, getting two strikers playing off each other has aided massively, with Maja and Heggebo working together fantastically in the 3-0 win vs Hull, while Isaac Price was able to drift inside from the left. 

Though not as seamlessly as against Hull, it worked perfectly against Bristol City too, with captain Jed Wallace able to operate as a more natural wideman, with two big presences in the box, while Heggebo’s versatility saw him complete 12 carries over the course of the 90.

Phillips backed the importance of this, saying: “Early doors [Morrison] said he wanted another player higher up the pitch because even though we had possession, creating goalscoring opportunities was another thing.

“We’ve seen that in the goals we’ve scored, certainly in the last two games and the chances we’ve created. Also, I feel like we’re dominating possession more in games lately, taking control of ourselves a bit more and trying to control the game ourselves a bit more.”

Back-to-basics approach has elevated West Brom

It is no coincidence that Albion’s fortunes have changed drastically since the switch in formation and approach.

While the overall quality of the side is not up there with the league’s best, Morrison is profiling his players perfectly.

A striker capable of linking play and bringing others into the game, Heggebo is getting back to his best alongside a more than capable goalscorer on his day in Maja, while Price is shining in his new role out wide.

As shown by the above graphic provided by Sofascore, Price is everywhere for West Brom.

Even during tougher spells this season, the Northern Irishman has never shyed away in a Baggies shirt, and is always looking to make something happen.

In front of goal, he has benefitted highly from the switch – allowing him to combine with the two presences of Aune Heggebo and Josh Maja up top, while the non-stop running of Callum Styles from the left-back position allows him to occupy the central zones where he is so dangerous.

He is a huge defensive asset too, with 3.07 defensive contributions per 90, 1.46 tackles and 3.48 recoveries, while he has won the ball in the final third 16 times across the season.

The switch has seen the squad profiled correctly, with the more basic approach seeing Albion stay in games with their defensive solidity, while making use of the quality in the final third to finally start putting points on the board.

Heading into the season’s crunch point, Morrison’s side are well-placed to go on and secure survival, starting with huge outings against Wrexham and Blackburn.