James Morrison ponders West Brom line-up debate for second stern test

The Baggies put in their best performance in several years with a stunning 3-1 Championship victory at West Ham.

And the steep tests keep coming with with the side directly beneath them, fifth-placed Southampton, at The Hawthorns for a midweek clash.

Head coach Morrison referenced the ‘don’t change a winning team’ adage ahead of the Saints contest, but is wary of his side’s physical levels in a testing three-match week.

"The old cliché isn't it? Don't change a winning team - but we'll see,” Morrison said.

"Again, the three-game week. You see the amount of physicality we put into the West Ham game can play a part.

"Energy might be (relevant) against Southampton, because of how well they move the ball.”

The head coach added of Tonda Eckert’s side, who have responded from their ‘Spygate’-related points deduction: "They (tests) keep coming. How I see it, they are two of the top three teams in the division.

"They've got some exciting players and play really good football.

"But we're at home and we want to attack that game.”

Morrison admitted he got it wrong last time his side played three matches across eight days.

Albion lost midfielder Toby Collyer to a hamstring injury during the last home fixture, at home to Blackburn - the third of three matches over that week.

The Baggies boss does not have the largest squad, but does have options to call on if required to freshen things up.

Southampton’s visit to The Hawthorns was just Morrison’s third game in caretaker charge in the spring, where the hosts performed very well but were pegged back in the dying seconds.

"We were unlucky late on,” Morrison said.

"That game is in my mind, how we were against them last season.

"I enjoyed Saturday for the ride home and we got back to work on Sunday with recovery and the lads trained, we'll come up with a game plan to see the best way to go.”