James Morrison reveals what inspired his 'confidence' for surprising West Brom centre-back call that paid off against Southampton

It was not enough to help the lowly Baggies over the line to a rare victory after it appeared the hosts would snatch a deserved first win of 2026. Southampton's Cyle Larin looped in a stoppage-time header to equalise.

But former Chelsea youngster Gilchrist's display was one of several encouraging individual performances as Albion eye positives in their bid to climb from the Championship mire.

Morrison revealed to the Express & Star he did his homework. He said: "I watched a game back from the last time he played centre-half, which was against us for Sheffield United.

"I watched that and I was pretty confident to make my decision.

"Obviously Nat (Phillips) just had one training session so I had to think about the bigger picture. We didn't want to lose him so I had every faith in Alfie.

"I'm happy for him because in recent times he's found it tough."

The Albion defender spent last season on loan at Bramall Lane and was a regular, mostly at right-back, in the first half of the campaign but played at centre-back at The Hawthorns in December 2024 as the Blades earned a point in a 2-2 draw.

Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows were on target for Carlos Corberan's Baggies that day, as the latter struck a fortuitous equaliser after Callum O'Hare and Tyrese Campbell goals for the visitors.

For Gilchrist, 22, Wednesday was just a seventh league start of a disappointing debut season where the £1.2million recruit from Chelsea has been unable to lock down his role at right-back.

The Chelsea academy graduate came through the youth ranks as a central defender and he was even likened to legendary Blues stopper John Terry.

But Gilchrist developed into a right-back into his senior career - though the position has been a problem area for Albion this term with George Campbell, a centre-back, having spent most of the season in the role.

Gilchrist gave a committed and assured display alongside Campbell at centre-back with Krystian Bielik, Chris Mepham and Charlie Taylor all absent against the Saints. Nat Phillips was only available for the bench after returning to training this week.

The summer signing has put himself in the frame to continue in the role against Hull on Saturday.

Albion defended well against Southampton but were guilty of some more poor game management in the closing stages to allow Larin to loop in an unusual headed equaliser over Max O'Leary, which clipped the woodwork twice on its way in.

The Baggies had a throw-in of their own but sent the ball into the Saints' area before the visitors could clear and launch an attack. It was an referenced by Morrison in his post-match debrief.

He added: "I think their goal could be a different outcome.

"We had a throw-in and decided to throw it in the box instead of just keeping it in the corner. There was still a lot that went on after that. Can we stop the cross? Can our backline be a bit higher when the ball's coming into the box? Don't drop too deep.

"And then obviously the header. It's probably about 12 to 14 yards out and on the angle, it hits the bar, hits the post and goes in. It's tough to take but I'll have to try.

"Maybe my game management needs to be better but I could feel the team dipping in intensity. They freshened it up so I had to match that. We lost a few and we're feeling that, but everyone's come back with a clean bit of a health."