Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Wed 6 May 2026 19:00, UK

James Morrison earned himself the West Bromwich Albion job, and there was never any question of who should take over.

The reigns of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay had left the Baggies in an uncomfortable position, with relegation staring the Midlands club in the face.

Morrison came through the door with a mammoth task at hand, and the former midfielder passed every test with flying colours.

His performances in the dugout left Shilen Patel with perhaps the easiest and most straightforward managerial decision he will ever have to make.

Now, with West Brom’s season concluded, the full impact of Morrison’s job has been revealed based on where the B71 outfit would have finished if he had been here from the start.

James Morrison had West Brom in play-off pushing form

This season, Morrison took charge of 12 matches for the Baggies in the Championship. During that period, he averaged 1.5 points per game.

He won four, drew six and lost just two. It is a record that has deservedly earned him the job as permanent manager, with his impact evident in just his short reign so far.

However, things may have been different if Morrison was appointed at the very start of the season.

With his points per game record stretched over a full season, the Hawthorns club would have ended the campaign on 69 points. Of course, they would have been dealt the two-point deduction, leaving them on 67.

That form would have had them finish in ninth place and just six behind the play-off spaces this season.

It is certainly a pace that could have seen the Baggies push for the top six, and with next season’s play-off expansion, they could be set sights on the top eight.

Morrison’s job would also have matched more accordingly with where the Baggies were expected to finish.

The Opta supercomputer has revealed West Brom’s expected position based on performances over the course of the season.

Can West Brom fans dream next season?

If Morrison’s form as manager is not just a purple patch and the Baggies have a solid window in terms of recruitment, who is to say they cannot push for a top-half finish?

With that said, the memory of the 2025-2026 season should serve as a warning and one that cannot be taken for granted.

There is plenty of work to be done, especially with the sheer amount of players set to depart.

This season just gone was almost a disaster, and if it weren’t for Morrison and even Leicester’s points deduction, it may very well have been League One football for the B71 outfit.

Plans for the next campaign must already be underway, as the new West Brom manager will know exactly which areas need improvement.