A delighted James Morrison: We run more than West Brom title-winners

Proud Albion boss James Morrison reckons his in-form troops are being rewarded for working harder than the 2007/08 title-winners under Tony Mowbray.

The Baggies signed off for the November international break with a second-half onslaught to beat Millwall 3-0 at The Hawthorns and go within a point of stop spot.

Isaac Price, Jayson Molumby and Felix Horne Myhre netted to leave the home faithful euphoric, but it was the team’s relentless energy levels that had the head coach beaming.

Morrison revealed to the Express & Star that his side are in the Championship’s top three teams for their running stats and regularly come out on top against opposition in the distance covered metric - despite operating with a relatively small squad.

Morrison said: “The first half was OK but we lacked composure in the final third because of a few structural issues but we sorted that out at half-time.

“One of our strengths is the energy and running power and we outran them and played some nice football.

Morrison added his class of 2026/27 outworks the side he played in that won the Championship in 2007-08 under Mowbray. Revered figures such as Morrison, Chris Brunt, Robert Koren, Zoltan Gera and Felipe Teixiera were all part of that silky Mowbray outfit.

The Baggies boss added: “We didn’t compete as well as these lads did. They’re unbelievable.

“I really do think that’s a strength of them – how far they run, how they compete.

“Way above what we did, consistently as well. Jayson Molumby has just banged it out three times in a week so all credit to him. Him and Oussie (Ousmane Diakite) as well.

“I can’t ask for any more of them. We are in the top three for running stats in the division.”

Excitement levels are ramping up at The Hawthorns as Albion claimed seven points from nine this week against West Ham, Southampton and Millwall and went six games unbeaten.

It is a different mood to enter an international break to September’s limp defeat at arch-rivals Wolves.

Morrison reflected on the week: “I think after this gruelling period it’s more relief than anything, because I welcome the break and I think we need it.

“We’ve given a lot of energy and mental focus because we’ve played a lot of good opposition and the lads have left everything on the pitch.

“It’s a really good time to regroup. Obviously Pricey’s goal was a bit of brilliant and that was what was needed on our side.”