West Bromwich Albion have worked hard to ensure they are in the Championship next season by moving eight points off the bottom with two games to play.
However, it was hit by two points being deducted by the EFL for breaching the PSR, meaning it fell back to six points from the bottom three.
This means that there are still many chances that it will be relegated to the third division if the results do not go well in the next two games before the end of the season.
Sky Sports reported that a ‘minimum’ point could be on the cards for the Baggies and that’s exactly what happened, as only two points were taken away.
This means that there is still a lot to play for in these final two games to ensure that the deficit does not undo all their hard work under Morrison.
How James Morrison saved West Bromwich Albion’s season
After the club decided to sack Eric Ramsay following a run of nine games without a win in all competitions, West Brom are one point above the relegation zone.
The board could have panicked and opted to appoint an experienced fire chief to come in to salvage their season, but decided to give Morrison the reins until the summer.
Since joining the hot seat, the former Scotland player has been on a four-game winning streak, five draws and one defeat in ten Championship games, beating Watford 3-0 last week.
After Ramsay’s caution in games, playing five at the back and aiming for low points to hit the counter, Morrison breathed new life into the team by playing an attack-minded 4-4-2 set-up, making the team play on the front foot.
The Baggies are now attacking matches and playing without fear, which was not possible under the last coach, and which has led to a form that seems to keep the team in the league.
Morrison needs to be ruthless in the last two games to ensure their survival is not in doubt, which is why he has to drop one player against Ipswich Town.
West Brom’s new Zohore could be off Ipswich
One of West Brom’s most vulnerable players is new Kenneth Zohore, who has scored just five goals in 23 games for the club at The Hawthorns, who is due to be released today.
The Danish former Baggies striker joined the club from Cardiff in the summer of 2019, but scored just five goals before leaving on a free transfer in January 2023.
Josh Maja started alongside Daryl Dike against the Hornets earlier this week and failed to impress, while his strike partner got his name on the scoresheet, and could be the new Zohore.
|
Vs Watford |
Josh Maja |
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
82 |
|
Shots |
3 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
0 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
|
The property is lost |
10x |
|
Duels won |
3/7 |
The Nigerian defender has scored just four goals in 38 Championship games for the Baggies this season, one of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
He is in danger of becoming the new Zohore because, as a Danish striker, he can come up with quality moments to score goals, but consistency is lacking in his play.
Maja has scored just four goals at 5.18 xG in the league for the Baggies, after bagging an eye-catching 12 goals in 26 league games in the 2024/25 campaign.
The 27-year-old could be the new Zohore at The Hawthorns if he doesn’t find consistency in front of goal, as he could end up like the Danish striker and find himself in the category of not being reliable enough.
Now, due to his problems against Watford, Maja has to be dropped from the list to allow Aune Heggebo to return to the Baggies squad today.
The Norwegian defender, who signed for Brann last summer, has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 44 Championship appearances this season.
It has been an impressive first year in England for the 24-year-old striker, who has already scored as many league goals as Maja, and could be first choice for a long time at number nine.
Morrison must now start Heggebo and Dike for today’s clash with Ipswich in the hope that he will contribute more in front of goal than Maja, as the Baggies look to extend their unbeaten run to double digits under the interim boss.
Not Just Guys: West Brom must regret selling £12m Championship star
West Bromwich Albion will have many regrets right now, but their decision to sell one of their attacking stars will be among their biggest.
