James Morrison says Middlesbrough fixture means a lot to him
West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison says Saturday's Middlesbrough West Brom Championship clash at the Riverside means a lot to him personally, having risen through Boro's youth ranks and made 97 first-team appearances there. He insists his focus stays on maintaining Albion's unbeaten start after wins over Norwich and Burnley.
The Baggies face Middlesbrough on Saturday, August 29, with a 12:30pm kick-off live on Sky Sports Football. Morrison trained his squad at Spennymoor Town after staying in the northeast following Wednesday's EFL Cup loss to Newcastle.
Key Takeaways
- James Morrison calls the Middlesbrough fixture personally significant after 97 Boro appearances as a player.
- West Brom sit three points above Middlesbrough after a perfect league start and a narrow cup defeat at Newcastle.
- Kim Hellberg warns Boro's attacking style leaves them vulnerable to breakaway counters, as Blackburn exposed last weekend.
- Jimmy-Jay Morgan has scored three goals in four West Brom appearances and could exploit Boro's high defensive line.
- Middlesbrough are priced at 3-4 to win, with West Brom at 7-2 and the draw at 14-5.
Why does this Middlesbrough West Brom match matter to Morrison?
Morrison told West Brom's official site that Middlesbrough is a club he feels deeply about. People who worked there during his playing days remain at the club, and he says Boro fans have always respected him on return visits.
He described himself as a local boy going back again, recalling his first return as a player when he was "all over the place" before learning from that experience. He remembers scoring on his last visit as a player and the feeling that came with it.
Despite the personal connection, Morrison stressed the job at hand. "We've got a big job to do and I don't want to get away from that," he said. "We're working hard — it's not a break."
How have both teams entered this Riverside clash?
West Brom were one of three Championship teams to collect maximum points from their first two games, beating Norwich 2-1 and Burnley 3-1. The Racing Post notes they also gave an encouraging performance in a 3-2 EFL Cup loss at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Middlesbrough lost 2-1 at Blackburn last Saturday despite leading at half-time, and Doncaster caused early problems in midweek cup action. Boro's summer spending included a reported £20 million move for former Tottenham striker Will Lankshear, but Kim Hellberg's side are still finding balance.
Albion have lost just one of their last 13 league matches, while Boro have won only three of their last 12 and kept one clean sheet in nine.
Can Middlesbrough stop the breakaway threat West Brom pose?
Hellberg told the Yorkshire Post that Boro's open style was exposed at Blackburn, where Rovers sat deep and punished transitions. Doncaster replicated that approach in the cup, ceding possession and hitting on the break.
Now Boro face another ex-player manager in Morrison, whose Albion side have posted breakaway threats in an impressive start. Hellberg said improving against transitions is "a lot of different areas" and requires better positional discipline plus individual quality.
The Racing Post expects West Brom to set up similarly to Blackburn, sitting deep and waiting for counter moments. Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who scored a solo goal at Norwich and has three goals in four appearances, could exploit Boro's high line.
What does the form book say about Saturday's result?
Bookmakers price Middlesbrough at 3-4, West Brom at 7-2 and the draw at 14-5. Racing Post tips West Brom or draw as a double chance at 11-10, citing Albion's confidence and coaching under Morrison.
Both teams have scored in each of West Brom's last five fixtures, and over 2.5 goals looks plausible given both sides will push for a win. For more offbeat sports stories, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man section.
Full team news and Morrison's pre-match comments are available via West Bromwich Albion's official site.