'Mix it up' - West Brom's James Morrison style debate after huge survival success

One of the key moves in Morrison’s push to survival last season while in interim charge was the inspired move to switch the Baggies to a more traditional 4-4-2 shape.

That decision came after a frustrating defeat at Oxford in the Scot’s first game - and from there Albion embarked on a 10-match unbeaten run to save their season.

Ex-Baggies midfielder Andy Johnson, the former Wales international and club pundit, does not believe it is a given Morrison uses 4-4-2 this season and insists the head coach will be flexible to what suits him best.

"You may well see that we don't start in 4-4-2,” Johnson told the Express & Star. “He may well have played 4-4-2, because that's what he had at his disposal.

"He put round pegs in round holes, which meant maybe he had to play 4-4-2. Will he play a different formation with a couple of signings? I don't know. This is why I'm quite excited about next year, to see what comes in and how we play.

"I know one thing, he won't be frightened to mix it up if he needs to, that's for sure, to get the results.”

Two of Morrison’s summer recruits so far, Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, are forwards. Otherwise striker Daryl Dike has left and Josh Maja looks set to depart, leaving just Aune Heggebo.

Johnson added: "He said himself, it's not about playing pretty football, it was to stay in the division, to knuckle down and fight and scrap for every point.

"It was circle pegs in circle holes, back to basics. When any player's having a bad time on the pitch, first touch, simple pass. It builds confidence."