'Can they do it for 46 games next year?' Debating whether West Brom's successful tactical tweak is maintained

Albion favourite Richard Sneekes reckons James Morrison may consider a formation tweak as the new boss moves into next season.

Morrison steered the Baggies to Championship safety when appointed the club’s third head coach of a turbulent season.

One of the key changes former midfield hero Morrison opted for was a change to a 4-4-2 formation, rarely used in the modern game. Albion had used 4-2-3-1 under Ryan Mason and then attempted to play with a back five, with wing-backs under Eric Ramsay.

Dutchman Sneekes, 57, believes Morrison - who agreed a two-year contract - may look to adapt and develop the formation for the new campaign, despite the success it brought.

“The change he made was extremely brave, I thought, to go and play 4-4-2,” Sneekes told BBC Radio WM in an end-of-season review special alongside the Express & Star's Lewis Cox.

"It's what we're used to. It's what I'm used to. We all played 4-4-2 30 years ago. There were no tactics.

"Whereas now it's data-driven, the stats they have before a game is massive.

"To go 4-4-2, lose the extra man in midfield, intelligent opposition can catch you out.

"But he did it a way where (Jayson) Molumby was more on the right but if they would lose the ball they would be very organised.

"It allowed two up top, to be more direct with crosses into the box and it's so simple. It just shows you how simple football can be.”

Albion were beaten 2-1 at lowly Oxford on Morrison’s first game but earned a comeback point in the next clash away to Sheffield United.

It was in South Yorkshire Morrison decided to change the side’s shape and the the Baggies reaped the rewards with the switch.

A revitalised Jed Wallace caught the eye on the right flank, with an improvement in Isaac Price on the left.

Albion were dealt a blow soon after, however, as Wallace picked up a calf injury in training. Without sidelined duo Mikey Johnston and Karlan Grant, Morrison used central midfielder Molumby out to the right and the decision was inspired.

"Will he do the same next year? I think he might tweak it a little bit,” continued Sneekes, who played in excess of 200 games for the Baggies between 1996 and 2001.

"Have they been lucky? No. But can they do it for 46 games next year? Probably not.

"So they may have to tweak it and I think the recruitment will be vital, to see how he wants to play going forward."

Albion are keen on the services of Crystal Palace loan right-back Danny Imray, who flourished behind both Wallace and Molumby under Morrison.

With Molumby and Price happy to drift infield, attack-minded full-backs Imray and Callum Styles enjoyed more licence to gallop forward and an extra dimension to attack.