Saved by Morrison: West Brom star now looks like the new Pereira

West Bromwich Albion retained their four-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone with a 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Easter Monday.

The Baggies are now six games unbeaten under interim head coach James Morrison, losing one of their last eight matches in the Championship.

Morrison has had an instant impact on the group after Eric Ramsay failed to win a single game of football during his time in the dugout at The Hawthorns.

The former Minnesota United head coach lost five of his nine games in charge of the Baggies before being relieved of his duties and replaced by Morrison.

There is now a big decision that has to be made by the owners in the summer, before the Scottish tactician is only in charge until the end of this season as it stands.

Why West Brom should hire James Morrison permanently

West Brom should give Morrison the chance to take the job permanently heading into the 2026/27 campaign after outperforming the last two permanent hires by the club.

The Baggies brought Ryan Mason and Ramsay in on multi-year contracts with no previous experience of managing in the division, and they both failed to perform before being sacked.

Morrison has, by far, the best points per game ratio of any manager in charge of West Brom in all competitions so far this season, having won three of his eight matches as an interim.

The 3-0 win over play-off side Hull City at The Hawthorns was the game that showed that Morrison can get the best out of the current crop of players, as it was the club’s first league win since December.

West Brom’s former midfield star is showing that he can motivate and get the best out of the players, which is why he should be given the chance to see what he can do with a summer transfer window under his belt.

West Brom’s most improved player under James Morrison

One perfect example of the impact that Morrison has had at The Hawthorns is that there is a star in the squad who is now shining, after looking like the club’s new Oliver Burke under Mason and Ramsay.

Burke was a frustrating young player during his time with the Baggies because he lacked consistency in the final third, ending his spell at the club with a return of one goal and three assists in 24 matches.

Isaac Price looked on course to be the club’s new version of the Scottish flop when he produced one goal and no assists in 24 matches between 22nd November and 11th March.

Since Morrison took over from Ramsay, though, the Northern Ireland international has been reborn, and now looks like the new Matheus Pereira, rather than the new Burke.

Pereira was, of course, known for his creativity and attacking flair during his time with the club, scoring 20 goals and providing 26 assists in 77 appearances.

Price has been doing his best impression of the Brazilian playmaker over the last five matches, averaging 2.4 key passes per game and 1.6 dribbles completed per match.

In his one season in the Championship with West Brom, Pereira averaged 2.8 key passes and 1.5 completed dribbles per match, whilst he also scored eight goals.

Whilst is has only been across five matches to this point, Price is playing like the Brazilian star with his impressive performances as an attacking midfielder for Morrison, after playing as a right-back and as a right wing-back under Ramsay.

The Northern Irishman has revived his season with the change in management and no longer looks destined to become a flop at The Hawthorns, which is another reason why Morrison may have earned the job on a permanent basis.

Hopefully, the former Scotland international gets a multi-year contract and Price can continue to shine under him, helping the Baggies to compete at the right end of the Championship table next season.

Related

West Brom must get rid of £25k-per-week dud who’s becoming the new Berahino

West Bromwich Albion may have another Saido Berahino issue on their hands.