West Brom Vs Southampton: Morrison and Eckert Prepare for Hawthorns Test
James Morrison has asked his West Bromwich Albion players for a simple shift in thinking: believe you can win every game. That demand frames the build-up to West Brom Vs Southampton, a match set for 19: 45 GMT (2: 45 pm ET) that pits a relegation-threatened Albion against a Saints side on a 10-game unbeaten run.
James Morrison and West Brom’s push to change the dressing-room mood
Morrison, who made more than 300 appearances for West Bromwich Albion during a long spell as a player, has been clear about the mentality he wants from his squad. He took the job on an initial interim basis and said he had needed to be critical after a disappointing defeat in his first game, calling the display “unacceptable” and warning that the team had looked “mentally fragile. “
That frankness came after he replaced Eric Ramsay and before the Baggies picked up their first point under Morrison with a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. Morrison has said training has improved and that the focus now must be on matches at The Hawthorns, where he believes West Brom must put positive performances in and be “ruthless” when chances come.
West Brom Vs Southampton: a clash of form and stakes at The Hawthorns
The fixture labelled West Brom Vs Southampton will be played at The Hawthorns, with Albion lifted out of the Championship relegation zone by that draw at Sheffield United. Southampton arrive in form, fresh from an FA Cup victory over Fulham and on a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
For Albion, home form is a specific concern; the club have not won at The Hawthorns since late December. Morrison has said the home crowd and home performances will be crucial if his team are to give themselves the best chance of staying in the Championship for the remainder of the season.
Tonda Eckert, Saints squad shape and the race to the play-offs
Tonda Eckert has taken Southampton within four points of the Championship play-off places and stressed the need to “carry on” the club’s good moment. Eckert noted there is no room for complacency after the cup win and pointed out that West Brom are dangerous on the counter-attack and defend well as a team.
Eckert added that Jack Stephens and Shea Charles would return to the squad after being rested for the FA Cup tie, and that the match at The Hawthorns is the first of four fixtures in 11 days. Saints winger Tom Fellows will return to his former club for Wednesday’s game, and Ross Stewart may start his first league game in over two weeks.
Saints goalkeeper Daniel Peretz kept a clean sheet in the FA Cup win and has been a consistent presence in goal for Southampton. Eckert emphasized preparation over applause, saying the focus since Fulham has been on getting well prepared for West Brom.
Wrexham’s defeat at Hull City created a specific opportunity for Southampton to close the gap to the play-offs with a win at The Hawthorns, a point noted by the Saints’ coverage ahead of the match. For Southampton, the fixture is both a test of momentum and a chance to move closer to the top six.
Back at West Brom, Morrison has accepted the interim tag but will remain in charge until the end of the season. He has said he wants his squad to back up the positive result at Sheffield United with a strong home display when the teams meet.
For now, the scene returns to Morrison’s simple request: his players must believe they can win every game. The next confirmed development is the match at The Hawthorns on Wednesday at 19: 45 GMT (2: 45 pm ET), where both managers’ recent decisions and team changes will be tested on the pitch.
