James Morrison tells Ally McCoist what he's finding 'difficult' at West Brom
James Morrison has been speaking to Ally McCoist about West Bromwich Albion's aims and goals for the season.
The Baggies have started the season better than anyone would have imagined and sit in fifth place in the Championship at the break.
Albion survived relegation last season under Morrison, which led to Shilen Patel appointing the 40-year-old on a permanent basis.
Morrison has helped the Black Country Club win half of their opening league games of the season, with some believing that the Play-offs are a possibility.
The Baggies boss has been helped by the addition of several top additions this summer, including the likes of Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Felix Horn Myhre.
Some West Brom fans may be getting ahead of themselves, but is that harming the expectation of what Morrison is supposed to be doing?
James Morrison opens up on 'difficult' West Brom challenge
West Brom have several individuals who have started the season strong, including Callum Styles, Isaac Price, Max O'Leary and Morgan.
These players may all be deemed good enough for a team that's pushing for the Play-offs, which is what some Baggies fans may now be hoping for at The Hawthorns.
The players will also have the belief that they can finish in the top eight, especially when considering how Hull City earned promotion through the Play-offs, despite being under a transfer embargo.
While speaking on talkSPORT, Morrison opened up on what it's like to coach West Brom now that some are already thinking about what could be.
McCoist asked: "Are you finding it difficult to keep everybody's feet on the ground, or is it something that is relatively simple for you?"
Morrison replied: "Yeah [chuckles], It's quite difficult, actually. I think as the Championship season goes on, it can be difficult.
"Through the start [we've had], that's where the expectation comes from now. I think everyone is getting a bit excited by watching us.
"I'm being realistic about where we were last year; I think it's about improving and being competitive each game."
Morrison knows that the Championship is a long slog, and that the start his side have had does not automatically mean they should be pushing for the Play-offs.
This is not to say that West Brom are not aiming for a top-eight finish, but more so that goal was never to get promoted this term.
It appears that Albion understand that this campaign is about progression, which was fairly evident after the profile of signings that were made in the summer.
However, if West Brom do reach the Play-offs, nobody will be complaining.
Where are West Brom currently predicted to finish in the Championship?
There's every chance West Brom may need some extra recruits in the January window, but how much they will be restricted to spending remains to be seen.
Even if the Baggies miss out on the Play-offs this season, they are on course to make serious progress from last term.
However, Opta's supercomputer has West Brom predicted to finish eighth in the league, three places lower than where they currently are.
They are estimated to finish on 66.84 points, with Wrexham in ninth place on 64.83.
West Brom have a 36.72 per cent chance of finishing inside the top eight, a prediction Morrison and Co. would have taken in a heartbeat before a ball was kicked this campaign.