Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Sat 30 May 2026 12:00, UK

James Morrison will be off on holiday with a well-deserved break, but the West Bromwich Albion manager will no doubt be thinking about his pre-season plans already.

Pre-season is more important than many supporters may think, as it can set the foundation for the season that is to come.

From fitness levels to getting the players to understand the tactics and system that will be put towards them, Morrison will have plenty of onus on getting it right.

There are certainly plenty of drills for the manager to work on as he eyes a successful first full-season in charge.

However, ahead of West Brom’s 2026-2027 season, the Baggies manager may have one priority that sticks out more than others.

Why finishing drills must be the priority for West Brom

West Brom could be in line for quite a shake-up in the forward department after Daryl Dike exited the club following the expiry of his contract.

Additionally, Josh Maja’s deal is also set to expire, although there is an offer on the table.

That will leave just Aune Heggebo and Tammer Bany as centre-forward options as things stand. However, for this purpose, let’s imagine that Maja has agreed to a deal.

During Morrison’s reign, it was evident that he knew how to organise and coach a strong defence, so there should be no worries in that regard. Under his tenure, the Baggies kept seven clean sheets in the final 12 matches of the season.

However, the bigger concern should come on the opposite end of the pitch. When it comes to the options at The Hawthorns, they are far from clinical.

Both Heggebo and Maja come in with a negative xG-to-goal ratio. The Nigerian international stands at -1.74 with the Norwegian at -1.77 according to Opta.

The negative rate means they are showcasing poor finishing in front of goal and scoring less than they are expected to. However, Heggebo and Bany may be the only survivors from the 2025-2026 season left.

What is the latest on Josh Maja’s contract?

At the moment, there has been little update on the future of Maja following the decision to offer him a contract.

The striker has been linked to both Celtic and Rangers, and the Express and Star have shared it is “highly likely Maja will go.”

Maja has not hit the ground at West Brom since arriving, but manager Morrison is thought to be a big fan of him.

With potential coaching on the pitch, the Scotsman may finally be the one to unlock his true ability. Time will tell what the future holds.