Midfielder delighted to sign new Baggies deal
JAMES Morrison admits he is on a mission to finish the job he started after penning a new Baggies deal.The 26-year-old midfielder yesterday put pen to paper on a four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2016.
And Morrison hopes to spend that time firmly establishing Albion as a Barclays Premier League force after joining the Black Country outfit in the Championship five years ago.
“I’m pleased to get the deal done,” he said.
“This is my sixth season here now and I’m committed to the club - and always have been.
“I feel settled here and I’m playing every week, so there is no reason to want to leave.
“I think it’s down to playing every week, the team playing well, and the fans being great with me.
“If I’d kept doing what I’m doing clubs would have been there showing interest – I wanted to put that to bed and concentrate on football, and move this club forward, which I believe I can do.
“I just want to be a part of things here and I’m sure I’m speaking for all the team.”
And the Scotland international, who helped the Baggies secure two promotions, admits he enjoys being Albion’s current longest-serving player.
“I’m 26 and I’m the longest serving player – I quite like the tag,” he added.
“When I came here we got promoted.
“That was a great learning curve.
“We then got relegated the season after and the fans stuck by us.
“I think that helped us get promoted again and we’ve followed that on with great performances.
“The way every team has spent money this summer has made them stronger and I feel it will be difficult to stay in the league again.
“So, if we can just do that then that will be three years in the Premier League, which is pretty consistent.
“Then we need to build on that, we can’t just sit back, because everyone seems to be getting stronger.”
Morrison has also revealed how big a part new head coach Steve Clarke played in his decision to commit his long-term future to the club.
“The new head coach has been a big point in me signing a new deal,” he said.
“I’ve been impressed with what he has done so far.
“He is very knowledgeable in his team talks and the way we’re going to play.”