What we've learned from West Brom's first pre-season lineup as James Morrison clue emerges
James Morrison has announced his first starting line-up of pre-season as West Bromwich Albion prepare to take on Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Albion begin their preparations against the Owls with a side containing a mixture of academy prospects and experienced senior players.
There is intrigue surrounding Morrison, as he takes on his first full season in charge of not just the Baggies, but a club in general.
He has earned his role, having guided the club to safety at the end of last season.
But naturally, eyes will be on his first pre-season, especially as he beds his new additions into the group.
With the first-half XI against Sheffield Wednesday in mind, West Brom News takes a look at what we can learn, and what Morrison may be thinking.
Is James Morrison going for familiarity with first selection?
Ahead of the match against the Owls at St. George's Park, Albion announced the lineup on the social media channels.
What sticks out at first, is that the formation appears to be a 4-4-2, matching the success of last season.
After a poor start to his stint, Morrison switched to the system against Sheffield United in March, where his side earned a 1-1 draw.
The system got the best out of Aune Heggebo up top, who had a strike partner to work with, while Isaac Price began to look much more like the player seen at the start of the season.
In a case of not touching what is not broken, the former Baggies midfielder appears to be following suit in pre-season.
Matt Ingram starts in goal, behind a back four of Jamal Mohammed, Krystian Bielik, Chris Mepham and Matthew Crowther.
In midfield, Harry Whitwell and Souleyman Mandey flank Ousmane Diakite and Cole Deeming.
And finally, new boys Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Barney Stewart start up top together.
What does the player selection tell us about Morrison's thinking?
Of course, managers always look to pre-season as a time to bed younger players in.
But, based on Morrison's first lineup of the summer, he seems particularly interested in doing this.
Outside of Ingram, Bielik, Mepham and Diakite, the rest of the side are yet to make a name for themselves in the professional game - even including summer arrivals Stewart and Morgan.
At the end of last season, Morrison dd not have a considerable amount of time to assess the youngsters on matchday given the precarious predicament at the bottom of the standings.
Now, he appears to be taking the chance handed to him, while it potentially hints at those in the lineup being the ones closest to a league chance at the start of the season.
Getting the youngsters bedded into the system, it seems to be the case that there is a view to a chance in the first team, rather than just minutes for minutes sake - a promising sign for fans.