James Morrison reveals backroom team plan as West Brom aim to kickstart survival bid

Morrison is staying guarded over who exactly he has in mind but on Friday confirmed he is in discussions over another appointment.

He said: “There is something else I am looking to do. The club have given me the opportunity to bring someone else in, so I am having a look. 

“I don’t want to give too much away at this point. It could be another coach, it could be something else. I am thankful to the club for helping me out.”

Morrison, who has been installed as boss until the end of the season, praised the early impact made by Gill.

The 45-year-old is the long-time assistant of Morrison’s former Scotland team-mate, Russell Martin, helping Southampton win promotion from the Championship two years ago.

“I’d met Matt before, along with the rest of Russell’s staff, after we played them,” said Morrison.

“I got good references, did my homework, speaking to different people. There was a process behind it. 

“In this job I have been going with my gut feeling and I had a real good gut feeling with Matt.

“I was looking around at what I felt the team needed, someone who is good around the ball.

“The biggest thing is personality. Coming in at this stage, what is he going to bring to it? He has been fantastic in the last two days. He has given us a real lift.”

Martin and Gill’s teams have a reputation for playing expansive football but Morrison dismissed that being the case with Albion, who he acknowledged must learn to win ugly if they are to pull away from danger.

The 39-year-old has broken the remainder of the season down into two parts, with Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United the first of four matches before the international break. A further seven follow in the campaign’s hectic final month.

“Are there going to be bumps along the road? Yes. Is it going to be difficult? Yes,” said Morrison, who has been part of the club’s first-team coaching staff since 2020 but will now be the man steering it through the most critical period in recent history.

“I am (the gaffer),” he said. “From the start I gave them (the players) clarity of the new role. 

“It was a case of this is what I expect, this is what I demand from them. Instead of thinking about one problem, I have five, six, 10 things going through the day I have to solve and delegate. But I am fully enjoying it.

“I feel I have always had (leadership). I feel my personality brings that out and it is something I am trying to bring to the role, day-to-day with everyone. 

“Respect, respect everyone who works here. Respect me and I will respect you. 

“Be treated how you want to be treated, coming in every day to do the job you are paid to do for this club. If we do that, we will have a good chance.”