West Bromwich Albion had worked hard to ensure that they are in the Championship next season by moving eight points clear of the drop with two matches left to play.
However, they have been hit with a two-point deduction by the EFL for a breach of PSR, which means that they have moved back to within six points of the bottom three.
This means that there is still a chance that they could be relegated to the third tier if results do not go their way in the next two games before the end of the season.
Sky Sports had reported that a ‘minimal’ points deduction could be on the cards for the Baggies and that is what has transpired, as only two points have been taken away.
This means that there is still plenty to play for in the last two games to ensure that the deduction does not undo all of their hard work under Morrison.
How James Morrison has saved West Bromwich Albion’s season
After the club decided to sack Eric Ramsay following a run of nine matches without a win in all competitions, West Brom were one point above the relegation zone.
The board could have panicked and opted to appoint an experienced firefighter-type manager to come in and save their season, but they decided to give Morrison the reins until the summer.
Since entering the hot seat, the former Scotland international has overseen a run of four wins, five draws, and one defeat in ten matches in the Championship, beating Watford 3-0 last time out.
After Ramsay’s cautious approach to games, playing five at the back and aiming for low possession to hit on the counter, Morrison has breathed new life into the team by playing an attack-minded 4-4-2 set-up, getting the team to play on the front foot.
The Baggies now attack matches and play without fear, which was not the case under the last head coach, and that has led to the current run of form that looks set to keep the team in the league.
Morrison needs to be ruthless in the last two games to make sure that their survival is beyond doubt, though, and that is why he must drop one player against Ipswich Town.
West Brom’s new Zohore could be dropped against Ipswich
One of West Brom’s players is in danger of becoming the new Kenneth Zohore, who only scored five goals in 23 games for the club, at The Hawthorns, and should be dropped today.
The Danish ex-Baggies striker joined the club from Cardiff in the summer of 2019, but only scored five goals before leaving on a free transfer in January 2023.
Josh Maja started alongside Daryl Dike against the Hornets earlier this week and failed to impress, whilst his strike partner got his name on the scoresheet, and he could becom the new Zohore.
|
Vs Watford |
Josh Maja |
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
82 |
|
Shots |
3 |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
|
Possession lost |
10x |
|
Duels won |
3/7 |
The Nigerian centre-forward has only scored four goals in 38 appearances in the Championship for the Baggies this season, with one of those goals coming from the penalty spot.
He is in danger of becoming the new Zohore because, like the Danish striker, he can come up with moments of quality to score goals, but consistency is lacking in his play.
Maja has only scored four goals from 5.18 xG in the league for the Baggies, after he plundered an eye-catching 12 goals in 26 appearances in the division in the 2024/25 campaign.
The 27-year-old could become the new Zohore at The Hawthorns if he does not find more consistency in his play in front of goal, as he may end up like the Danish striker and find himself on the chopping block for not being reliable enough.
Now, because of his struggles against Watford, Maja should be dropped from the line-up to allow Aune Heggebo to come back into the team for the Baggies today.
The Norwegian frontman, signed from Brann last summer, has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances in the Championship this season.
It has been a fairly impressive debut year in England for the 24-year-old attacker, who has scored more than twice as many league goals as Maja, and he could be the long-term first-choice in the number nine position.
Morrison must now unleash Heggebo as a starter alongside Dike in this clash with Ipswich today in the hope that he will offer more in front of goal than Maja, as the Baggies look to extend their unbeaten run to double digits under the interim head coach.
Not just Fellows: West Brom must regret selling £12m Championship star
West Bromwich Albion will have plenty of regrets right now, but their decision to sell one attacking star will be among their biggest.
