James Morrison has obvious Isaac Price plan as West Brom rebuild begins

James Morrison is looking to continue shifting through the gears as West Bromwich Albion manager, and Isaac Price will be key to that.

Handed the role on an interim basis in February, Morrison was tasked with guiding the Baggies to Championship safety.

That he did, with 10 unbeaten matches seeing his side secure survival with matches to spare.

Midfielder Price would prove key to this, as the Northern Irishman rekindled the form seen in the early stages of the season.

In the back-to-basics approach, Price was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the switch to 4-4-2.

And as Morrison aims for further progression at The Hawthorns, Price will be the man to build around, and the numbers show why.

James Morrison recognised who West Brom's difference maker is

Starting the season in a rich vein of form, Price would score three times in the opening three matches.

With excellent movement in and around the box, he would be utilised in somewhat of a second striker role under Ryan Mason, before his form deteriorated in tandem with Albion's as a whole.

Despite this, he remained one of the first names on the teamsheet, racking up 3,642 minutes before the season's end.

Alongside his nine goals and two assists, Price would once again become the man to watch out for in possession under Morrison, with 1,982 touches, 904 successful passes and 65 chances created.

After a poor run of form under Eric Ramsay, Morrison made the decision to push Price out to the left.

And while he is a central player by trade, the switch proved magnificent, with his ability to drift into more central zones on show thanks to the non-stop energy of Callum Styles on the outside.

Proving ever so versatile, Price would end the season having played 24 matches in attacking midifeld, 12 out on the left, five on the right, and four in a deeper midfield role.

If Morrison is to mould the team around anyone this summer, Price is absolutely the man.

How does James Morrison continue to get the best out of Isaac Price?

Naturally, players of Price's quality will be figured out by opposition defences - potentially providing a reason for the mid-season dip.

But, Morrison proved an excellent profiler of his squad in the dying weeks of the term, and this will only come to the aid of his players as he aims to push them further up the standings.

Always looking to make something happen, it is not often that the 22-year-old backs down from a challenge, even on days where things are not quite coming off.

But, his intelligence, movement and creativity requires similar movement around him.

At the back end of the season, he benefitted from Styles on the outside, and the front two deployed by Morrison during the unbeaten run.

If he is to continue at his best level, Price will require constant movement and running around him, after suffering during the more static approach of Ramsay.

If this is granted, he possessed the ability to become one of the Championship's best, and maybe even propel the Baggies back into the promotion picture at the same time.