West Brom notebook: What we learned from eye-catching friendly win in Shrewsbury

James Morrison’s men were 2-0 up when the hosts pulled one back, but Jimmy-Jay Morgan turned in his second before half-time and the visitors struck late in front of more than 3,000 away fans.

Here are some of our observations from the second 4-1 success of pre-season.

Hard to ignore Jimmy-Jay

It was apparent more or less from the off in his first public outing against Bromley in Portugal, but Albion look to have a talent on their hands in Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

The 20-year-old netted twice more against Shrews, taking his pre-season tally to four, and had a hand in the other two goals.

Albion must remain grounded with the former Chelsea prospect, and Morrison will keep pushing the other parts to his game, like off-ball work and concentration, but Morgan is an exciting attacking operator.

He loves to link play, but finishing is a main strength, and the impudent chip for 2-0 on Saturday was simply ice-cool.

Whitwell showing promise

Attack-minded midfielder Harry Whitwell has been around the Baggies’ first team for a number of years now, but this was probably the best glimpse we have seen from him.

The 20-year-old academy graduate is stacked full of promise, but this needs to be a breakthrough season in one way or another for the attacker.

He is being used out on the right at the moment - Morrison described him to me as a “pocket player” afterwards, in a similar vein to Isaac Price - but Whitwell is making his case.

Team-mate Morgan was involved in everything at Croud Meadow but Whitwell was just as bright and sharp. He was electric every time he had the ball, with purposeful runs and neat feet to make things happen. If he does have another loan this term, as expected, it should be in League Two at the very least.

Mepham makes claim

There is probably next-to-nothing to read into the way Morrison split his squad for the two games on Saturday. Clearly the side for Shrewsbury, in front of thousands of paying fans, was the stronger outfit.

But there were some first-team regulars back at base to face Notts County behind closed doors, which ended in a late 3-1 defeat. Jayson Molumby, Mikey Johnston, new boy Barney Stewart and Nat Phillips were among those.

With Phillips facing the Pies in the lower-profile friendly, which Morrison watched half hour of, it opened up the chance for Chris Mepham to play alongside George Campbell.

Wales international Mepham performed well. He impressed as the more solid of Albion’s centre-backs and stood tall with some crucial blocks and interceptions. He used the ball well too and may have done his chances at a starting slot some good.

‘Captain to-be’ looks ready to lead

Mowatt emerged with the captain’s armband for the second public pre-season friendly.

Morrison is yet to make public his call on the next club captain, but in terms of performance level Mowatt can do little more so far.

He stood out against Bromley and did so again here in Shrewsbury, albeit against limited opposition in both cases.

Regardless, Mowatt is showing Morrison and others what he still has to offer despite more advancing years. He offers good experience in an otherwise more youthful squad and continues to impress in pre-season.

Subscribe now for HALF PRICE and catch every minute of our Albion coverage this season - from pre-season to the final whistle. CLICK HERE