James Morrison emphasises importance in the work on West Brom fitness levels

The head coach made a conscious decision to hone in on improving physical levels to help players’ condition, mentally as well as with their bodies, late in games.

Morrison sees the Championship as such a tight division and places big emphasis on staying in games to strike late on.

As well as Morrison, credit for the immense job since his caretaker stewardship began in the spring has been placed on his backroom staff. Matt Gill’s coaching sessions are key and the head coach was backed to add Gavin Strachan and Tony McMahon over the summer.

But another instrumental background figure is Albion’s director of medical Tony Strudwick, who is never far from the ear of the head coach. The pair speak daily on players’ physical levels and ways to tweak the side to spark improvement. Strudwick delivered intense sessions throughout the summer, where the squad would train twice a day.

“I made fitness a big part of pre-season - I think it’s so important,” Morrison explained.

“To challenge you physically and mentally. The Championship demands physicality. Staying in games can be the difference late on.

“I believe in the Championship it always opens up. You’re always defending your box and you’re always trying to score that goal.

“Physically and mentally we have to be ready and I felt the work in pre-season is coming out.”

The experienced Strudwick joined Albion in 2022 under Steve Bruce. He boasts an impressive CV including a long-term stint under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, as well as stints at Arsenal, England and Wales, among others.

The head coach has been very pleased with his side’s physical output, including running levels, so far this season - despite having more of the ball than opponents in most games.

“I work closely with him, we’ve got a really good relationship,” Morrison added.

“Obviously with his background and how long he’s been in the game... we have discussions daily on how we can improve the team.

“From the start of pre-season I wanted to try to improve the level of fitness, with what we struggled on last year, and how we can improve the team.

“There has been a big emphasis on that and we’ve all come together. It’s the coaches as well, and myself, designing the sessions to get that.”

Albion had enjoyed a relatively clean bill of health in the early weeks of the season bar the long-term absentee Mikey Johnston (ankle), who endured a setback recently on his way back from a fracture in February.

There was a blow this week as right-back Nolan Galves hobbled away from the 1-0 win at Derby. The Frenchman was only introduced after his fellow summer signing and compatriot Brayann Pereira was dismissed for two yellow cards.

Galves is to see a specialist to determine the severity of the knee injury after a nasty coming together with a Rams player.

Morrison said prior to the Pride Park clash: “Most importantly is trying to control the injuries. If we get a couple of injuries it’s a different stories and we’re thinking different things.

“We’ve got to monitor the squad to manage it.”