West Brom v Wrexham: Nat Phillips opens up on influence of boss James Morrison in survival hunt

Morrison’s men welcome promotion-hunting Wrexham at The Hawthorns on Friday looking to build on a timely four-match unbeaten run from prior to the international break.

Club legend Morrison’s appointment at the helm after doomed stints of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay has been the catalyst to the upturn, and experienced defender Phillips, 29, has been particularly impressed with former midfielder Morrison’s back-to-basics approach and training ground work.

“Certainly at first that’s how we saw it,” Phillips said of Albion’s game being simplified.

“To take away any potential areas of confusion or misunderstanding certainly helps.

“Also defensively when we're pressed in going after teams I think everyone's role is pretty clear. On top of that in terms of in possession having the two strikers at the top of the pitch helps us put teams under more pressure than we were doing.”

Wins over Hull and Bristol City have lifted Albion to 20th in the Championship, two places and four points clear of safety.

After Wrexham comes a crunch six-pointer away at relegation rivals Blackburn, with 7,500 travelling Baggies in attendance.

Morrison, 39, served as Albion coach under Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce, Tony Mowbray, Mason and Ramsay and, with two brief caretaker stints behind him, has put his stamp on the job.

“He's shown that,” Phillips agreed of Morrison being his own man. “He's been watching us all season and he will have had his own opinions and ideas on where our shortfalls might have been and what we could look to improve on.

“Early doors he said he wanted another player higher up the pitch because even though we had possession, creating goalscoring opportunities was another thing.

“We've seen that in the goals we've scored, certainly in the last two games and the chances we've created.

“Also, I feel like we're dominating possession more in games lately, taking control of ourselves a bit more and trying to control the game ourselves a bit more.

“I think, historically, that's what West Brom look to do and that's the players that we've got, that's how they like to play the game. I think it's been suiting us.”

Centre-back Phillips, a regular this term, talked up Morrison’s popularity with the squad, and that of new assistant Matt Gill, who was drafted in last month and has had a big impact behind the scenes.

“He's still the same person with more responsibility but Moz is a great guy, all the lads love him,” Phillips added.

“He's very popular at the club and in his manager role now he's still easy to talk to and easy to approach. He’s willing to have discussions and open conversations.

“He's brought Gilly in who's been a huge addition for us all in terms of on the training pitch.

“The stuff that we're doing day-to-day and how that props us up going into games and reasons behind what we're doing on the training pitch.

“It’s almost like a fresh set of eyes as well and maybe some new messages that we hadn't heard up until now.

“There has been a lot of change since then, but now it feels like a bit of stability with Moz in.”