Young-gun James Morrison has challenged Albion to extend the Hawthorns feelgood factor by securing the futures of Zoltan Gera and Kevin Phillips.
Morrison wants to see veteran striker Phillips and Hungarian ace Gera signed up for the Baggies’ assault on the Premier League next season.
And he reckons just a couple of new faces would prepare the squad for life in the top flight.
Morrison said: “We need them (Phillips and Gera). They have been brilliant all season and I am sure they will be desperate to prove themselves in the Premier League with the Baggies.
“We are all hoping they will stay and hopefully the chairman will look at their performances and get them signed up.
“One or two additions would help and hopefully some people can stay who are in contract disputes and then we’ll be okay.
“It will suit our game in the Premier League and we already have some Premier League experience and it will be a challenge to those who don’t have that experience.”
Morrison is backing the Baggies to attack the Premier League with the same style that has lifted them out of the Championship and he believes they should set their sights high by targeting a top-half finish next season.
“We will give it a go and see what happens at the start and if it’s not working we will have to change our game,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ve got the quality to do that and with a few additions our aim has got to be the top half.
“There are some teams in there who I think we can beat and our style should be suited. “If you aim high and you come somewhere close you have done alright and I’m sure all the lads are looking forward to playing in the Premier League.”
Morrison paid tribute to manager Tony Mowbray’s role in the return to the Premier League although he admitted last night had left him with mixed feelings. He said: “Credit to the manager. He has a method and he loves that way of playing football and it has paid off.
“Credit to him for sticking by his guns. He brought in good players in January and I am delighted for the players and the staff who are here.
“I have mixed feelings really. People aren’t as happy as they wanted to be because we wanted to win and I thought we deserved to win. But their keeper made some great saves.
“I think we deserved to win but in football you’re not always guaranteed to get what you deserve.
“But everyone is happy and we’re just waiting for Sunday now.”
And Morrison, who believes promotion vindicates his decision to leave Middlesbrough, now has his eye on the Championship title.
“Everyone in the dressing room is a winner and personally I want a medal and I want to get my hands on the trophy,” he said.
“It would make promotion extra-special if we could lift the trophy and celebrate on Sunday in front of the fans.”
17 Comments
C’mon TM and JP, sign em up.
And get Jan-Klaas Huntelaar from Ajax while you’re at it!
Carlos Cuellar from Rangers would do nicely as well.
Let’s see just how appreciative Peace is re: our Premier victory. Kevin Phillips has been a massive part of this superb promotion drive. Let’s just see if Peace is as loyal as the support has been. SIGN PHILLIPS NOW PEACE. Put your money where all our money goes..INTO OUR CLUB. SIGN PHILLIPS….
2) and gera and bednar
I think Gera will be happy now he has Prem football with us, with KP its a different matter, he might have other plans in his career yet, maybe he wants to go to a lower league side like Super Bob did so whatever happens let it be, despite I would LOVE to see him stay with us.
come on u baggies. well done u baggie boys doing us proud once again.
E and S reckon Walsall’s star players are after transfers.Splash thee cash JP and improve the team.Was it nerves last night or are you always that bad.
My own thoughts are that Gera will leave, as much as I would like him to stay I think he will want a big pay day as it may be his last contract. Maybe he will move abroad?. I would love him to stay but if he decides to leave I wish him well. I would honestly try and sign Kightly as his age, style of play, pace, direct style would fit into our team very nicely and he could replace Gera. Philips I would like to see stay because you can’t have enough good players in your squad. If we seriously want to stay in the Premiership though we must look to strengthen ALL areas of the team. We need a Keeper, at least 2 defenders maybe 4, a central midfield player someone like a Kevin Nolan and some more fire power. Beattie and Slurerski will go, Is Bedner quick enough for the Prem?, that leaves Moore, Miller and phillips if he signs. Lets not get carried away as things stand the squad will struggle like to stay up. Before anyone say’s let’s enjoy it before we start writting us off, we need to act early in the transfer market and get the bulk of players in for pre-season and the ball must start rolling now if we are to have any chance of staying up. Back this manager my Peace and he will deliver we have worked so hard to get there let’s try to make sure we stay there!!!!!
Boing Boing
Gera is only 29 how can you see this will be his last contract most players play till they are 35 so you reckon he will sign a 6 year deal?
How long have Gera and Phillips been working at Morrisons then?
Sign them up no J-P we have 60m in the pot so no money worries there, Phillips and gera deserve new contracts so sigh them up no before some other club offers them a better deal
6. With a posting like that your name suits you
I may not support your team, but wish you well.
Do not get over excited about trying to secure these two players, you will have the money and position to attract players that will play for a while longer than KP and Gera.
Bring in the new and push on.
9.makes a change from tescos.
11. at least optimistic doesnt feel the need to change his name every week to suit the situation.
new name by christmas for you.
“oh my god we are already relegated.
nice ring to it dont you think.
7.
Kightly….. no chance.
Ryan, read my comments again I think the word MAY means it might be not it will be. He may want to retire when he’s 34 he has had a few injuries. Anyway chill out man, he might stay and I hope he does but we have to be realistic. He has said may times in the last couple of years he wanted to leave, they may now have changed under TM but if he wants to leave fine that goes for anyone else too. We are in the Premiership now and will be able to attract other players. No sentiment in football mate they have got us where we want to be. Now we have to find players to add to the squad to keep us there.
Gold’n'Black Wolf, Kightly no chance you said, it might be unlikely but no chance I don’t agree, if we offer 6M or 7M are you saying you would turn it down for a player you paid virtually nothing for? Get real mate every player has his price eg Curtis Davies, Nanthan Ellington,Diomansy Kamara, Jason Koumas, Paul McShane, Joelean Lescott?????? Everyone has a price
Boing Boing
Michael. Thats the problem, They don’t want to stay at Tesco’s or Morrisons they want to go to the BIG supermarkets in Manchester or London.
Get my drift.
Michael.
Time to increase your medication…..I bet you were gutted as a kid when it dawned on you that your dad had been taking you to the Molineux..I’d ring childline if I was you..STORMING THE PREMIERSHIP, THE MOWBRAY WAY..IN STYLE OF COURSE, OH YES!!!(Copyright WORCESTERBAGGIE 2007)