Jimmy-Jay Morgan's 'suffering' admission proves one thing about James Morrison at West Brom
Jimmy-Jay Morgan could scarcely have engineered a better competitive debut for West Bromwich Albion.
There is much hope that Morgan can be a bit hit at Albion after his summer arrival from Chelsea in the close season.
And the 20-year-old certainly gave a glimpse of his undoubted potential with a brace in the 4-1 win at Rotherham United in the EFL Cup first round.
Morgan opened the scoring by turning home from Harry Whitwell's miscued effort, and headed home after the hour.
Baggies supporters will be hoping he can now hit the ground running in the Championship when they start their campaign at Norwich City on Saturday.
And Morgan has been speaking about the gruelling pre-season he and his West Brom team-mates were put through in preparation.
What Jimmy Jay-Morgan say about West Brom's pre-season?
Pre-season is a time to whip the squad into shape, and ensure everyone is fit for the rigours of the demands of Championship football.
Having spent last season loan with Peterborough United in League One, Morgan is ready to try his hand in the second tier.
James Morrison is doing his level best to get his side fighting at the top end of the table after doing a fine rescue act last term.
And Morgan went into some detail about exactly what has entailed with the Norwich game fast on the horizon this weekend.
In quotes reported by the Express & Star, Morgan said: "We are all super close. We have been through some tough, tough training sessions in the last seven weeks.
"We are a tight-knit group and I think that is translating on to the pitch. We had double sessions, particularly in Portugal where it was 30 degrees out on the pitch and we would do a long training session, then just running in the afternoon.
“There is never too much motivation for running without a football but we got through it and we are in a really good place for it.
“Has it brought us closer together? 100 per cent. We have suffered a lot but I think it has given us the opportunity to spend time together off the pitch, then days off and it has brought us closer.
“It has built a massive togetherness in the group.”
What do Morgan's words say about James Morrison at West Brom?
Morgan's comments certainly pain the picture of a squad ready to work hard for one another and pull in the same direction behind a comment goal.
Morrison inherited a squad down on its luck following the dismal spells of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay.
But the modern-day Baggies legend knows that this season will bring a different pressure than last term.
He will want to ensure there is no flirtation with the drop again, and push towards the upper echelons of the table.
And Morgan's comments prove that he is at least harbouring an environment where everyone is working for each other and ready to fight towards that objective.