West Brom debrief: James Morrison's target, conflicting mood and how good is Danny Imray?

Morrison’s target

With owner Shilen Patel watching on, Albion boss James Morrison could hardly have done more for his credentials to land the job on a full-time basis.

Morrison wears his heart on his sleeve and is often so transparent when speaking to supporters via the press, but he remains understandably coy on some subjects, including the message from Patel in the dressing room at full-time.

Throughout this run he has refused to be drawn into the subject of points targets and how many he felt were required.

But he gave a peak behind the curtain when revealing afterwards that surpassing 50 points had been the target to achieve survival when he landed the position until the end of the season in early March.

Morrison’s men have taken 17 points from the unbeaten nine games since Oxford to reach 52 points.

Nobody - not even the most optimistic Baggie - would’ve predicted that in the wildest dreams. Morrison has said “we weren’t that far away” once or twice. But the dreadful runs of results said otherwise.

The independent commission hearing and EFL charge means safety is not yet definitive, but the achievement to surpass 50 points is simply outstanding for a head coach cutting his teeth.

Hawthorns mood

It was a peculiar night. Morrison described it as “flat” at times and it was not clear if he meant the performance or atmosphere, or potentially both.

But the strange, at times indifferent mood definitely owed somewhat to the unknown hanging over the club.

Genuine fear is at a minimum now the gap to the bottom three has extended to eight points. Everything points to any possible points penalty, if Albion are ruled guilty, being a minor punishment of no more than three points.

The Hawthorns was still loud at times but it is no surprise the uncertainty played a part in a conflicted backdrop.

The scandalous timing of this charge means the Baggies are unable to celebrate - if that is the right word - or at least toast this feat inspired by Morrison.

It is not fair on Albion or other clubs involved.

Huge away ends of late have enjoyed jubilant scenes. Perhaps it will take a positive result against Ipswich on Saturday, or even the definitive hearing outcome, for that feeling to be complete.

A rare loan star

Albion loan deals have been largely hapless in recent years. Mikey Johnston and Matt Clarke are the only standouts going all the way back to 2021.

There have been many attempts and many duds.

But you can add the name Danny Imray to a list of successes.

That is something else that would have resulted in a funny look if said aloud six or eight weeks ago.

The 22-year-old Crystal Palace man has endured a stunning turnaround at Albion.

Loaned in as a wing-back for former boss Eric Ramsay’s failed system, he looked like a fish out of water in the opening weeks in a side desperately low on confidence playing dreadful football.

But Imray has flourished under Morrison. His front-foot style makes him popular with fans and he has been rugged defensively, showing there is scope for development. He deserved that first goal and the assist for Isaac Price’s opener was pinpoint.

Imray is understand to have another year at least on his Selhurst Park deal. It will be interesting to see how his summer develops.