James Morrison: West Bromwich Albion have appointed the former midfielder as permanent head coach

Analysis – West Brom commentator Steve Harmon of BBC Wm

The decision to hire James Morrison permanently is a no-brainer. The work he has done in his third interim spell has been nothing short of remarkable.

When he came on after the dismissal of Eric Ramsey, Albion were at rock bottom in confidence and a 10-game winless run.

His first match – a 2-1 loss to fellow strugglers Oxford in late February – prompted him to call out some players for an “unacceptable” performance.

It’s a dangerous card to play, but the squad responded with a miraculous turnaround that saw them go 10 unbeaten.

He brought on Matt Gill in the days following the U’s defeat, praising the former Southampton assistant for his ‘fun’ training.

Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill, who has been by his side for all his managerial work, have also been credited, and Under-21 boss Leigh Downing has also been brought into the mix.

Morrison also leaned on experience, calling on former Albion manager Steve Clarke and survival expert Tony Pulis.

He seems to have taken particular inspiration from the latter.

Since the disaster at Kassam, the Baggies have gone back to basics, proving that a simple 4-4-2 can still work in the modern game.

They are solid defensively – seven clean sheets in their last eight – but more menacing going forward, with more crosses into the box and more touches in opposition territory than Ryan Mason or Ramsey.

The one they call ‘Mozza’ – only his mother calls him James, he joked in an early radio interview – has been impressive even when a microphone is planted in his mouth.

Laid back by his own admission, but in the pressure cooker of a relegation battle and a points deduction being thrown into the mix, it’s an ideal trait.

Despite being soft-spoken, his words are filled with passion and honesty, which all fans want to hear.

That authenticity, combined with the improvement of the pitch, brought fans back to the side.

The recent atmosphere at The Hawthorns has been one of the best in years – a stark contrast to the apathy of the goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday under Mason, or the toxicity after the embarrassing, record-setting 5-0 horror show against Norwich. It’s hard to believe it was only three months ago.

After a series of blunders with managerial appointments, chairman and owner Shilen Patel has struck lucky. They bumped into two inexperienced head coaches in their 30s when there was already one in the building.

For Morrison, the decision to accept a job will be guided by both the head and the heart. His willpower will tell him he’s good enough – this run of form proves it – and he’s openly admitted he relishes the challenge, despite some sleepless nights in team selection.

A return to an assistant role under a new manager would have been almost impossible, meaning the option would likely end his 19-year association with the football club.

No doubt it is a risk because at some point a form will appear which is not as good as he is feeling now. But his heart told him to take up the task at once.

Although he was born in Darlington, he said West Brom was in his DNA when he stepped up to win the FA Cup at Swansea in January.

Now, just weeks before his 40th birthday, he is officially the man in charge.

It’s undoubtedly a proud moment for ‘Mozza’, but it’s an opportunity he fully deserves – just like the ice-cold beer he promised himself after the dramatic campaign ended.