How ‘model professional’ fought back to salvage West Brom career

Experienced defender Mepham, 29, has come in from the cold to play a leading role in Albion’s superb form over recent weeks.

The Wales international, who boasts more than 50 caps, had to make do with a place on Morrison’s bench in the opening months of the Championship campaign after a difficult first season at the club last term.

But Mepham was handed a recall in September, shortly before the first international break, and then given a run in the side from October after errors from Nat Phillips against Wolves and Birmingham. Mepham’s debut season at the club following a £1million move from Bournemouth featured just 21 league starts.

“Meps has been really good. We’ve had good results when he’s come in,” Morrison said.

“He brings different attributes to Nat. Obviously Nat has been brilliant for me, and when he had to come out the team it hurt me inside a little bit, but I felt I was searching for something after two loses.

“And then we got back on track, but I trust my three centre-halves massively. I love them to bits. There might be times with three-game weeks where I change it.”

The head coach said of Mepham’s stylish displays: “He and George compliment each other quite well. I think the chances we’ve been giving up as a whole unit are on the transition when we’ve been attacking and we don’t lock in enough.

“But Meps has plenty of attributes. He’s had a great career so far and he has that determination to show everyone.”

Mepham, whose Wales are back in Nations League action against Portugal on Tuesday, helped lead former loan club Sunderland to promotion prior to joining Albion.

He previously clocked up more than 100 appearances for Bournemouth, and won promotion with the Cherries, following a £12m transfer from Brentford in 2019.

The Welshman is a respected and influential character behind the scenes.

“He’s always had the armband when George hasn’t been available,” Morrison said of Mepham stepping seamlessly into the vice-captaincy role.

“I rewarded him with the armband when George is not there just for how he reacted to not playing.

“When he came back in, he gritted his teeth, got his head down, worked hard, didn’t complain, understood and waited for his chance.

“That’s the sign of a good character. He is a leader.

“He’s got vast experience, played in the Premier League, internationally, I’m delighted he’s here and he’s vital to the group and what he brings to it, in terms of banter.”

“It’s what he brings to the group. He didn’t play in the back end of last season but when he came for pre-season he was a model professional.

“I loved his attitude. Every day he worked to try to get in the team. He was patient and understood the situation. He got his head down and waited for the right time.”