'The whole time': Ex-West Brom striker latest to back James Morrison for Baggies success

A former West Brom striker believes the Baggies missed a trick in not acting earlier to give James Morrison the managerial job.

Club legend Morrison took charge on an interim basis for the third time in the space of 12 months - following the sacking of Eric Ramsay.

Morrison went on to guide Albion to safety following a lengthy unbeaten run - and his performance in the dugout was enough for the Baggies hierarchy to hand him the job permanently.

It comes after years of Morrison serving as a coach under various Albion managers. In recent times when Albion opted to change manager, Morrison was not in the picture to land the job.

One of Morrison’s former team mates believes things could have been different had Albion decided to turn to the former midfielder earlier.

Speaking to Boyle Sports, ex-Albion striker Shane Long said: “West Brom’s relegation battle was remarkable because they have a decent squad. I always found it funny because James Morrison has been there for years and they keep signing all these managers.

“They have had this guy in the building the whole time and he came in and went on a significant unbeaten run after taking over a team that was fighting relegation.

“When you have that under your roof the whole time, I am sure they are all thinking about why they didn't do this sooner.

“I know him as a guy as well. Great guy who loves his football. He has learned his trade there as a coach and now a manager, and I would love to see him do well. He started off brilliantly at the end of last season, saving them and having the record he has.

“Hopefully, he can just start off on a high next year. It is a club that has a bit of a yo-yo reputation, going up and down to the Premier League, but they have been nowhere near it the last two or three seasons.

“It would be nice to see them challenging again, bringing the Baggies back up into a playoff situation, and who knows what could happen.”