Midfielder hoping to upset Everton at fortress Goodison Park again
JAMES Morrison hopes Albion can upset the form book when they travel to Everton tonight (ko 7.45pm).The Toffees have only lost one of their last 11 Barclays Premier League games to climb up to fifth in the table, just three points off the Champions League places.
Their campaign so far has been built on their rock solid home form, with European Champions Chelsea the only team to win at Goodison Park.
But Morrison will be spurred on by fond memories of being part of the Baggies team that secured a convincing 4-1 victory on Blues turf in November 2010.
“They are a great team but we’ve won at Everton before so we know what it will take,” he said.
“When we won 4-1 there it was a great team performance.
“Everton are flying high again and they’ve been especially good at home this season.
“They play at a really high tempo, balls come into your box and they have good players like Fellaini and Baines and a lot of experience in Neville, Osman, Distin and Jagielka.
“They have a real balance in their team and we need to be ready for that.”
Morrison will also come up against his Scotland international team-mate Steven Naismith again and he will be looking to hold onto the bragging rights after the Baggies’ 2-0 win over David Moyes’ men in September.
“He’s a great professional,” he added.
“He’s had his injuries and he’s come back.
“It’s his first season in the Premier League and he’s done really well.
“He’s always a goal threat and off the pitch he’s a nice guy.
“We speak a lot when we meet up with Scotland.
“It will be nice to meet up next time having taken three points or a point off them.”
The duo will reunite for the Tartan Army next week when they entertain Estonia in a friendly at Pettodrie next Wednesday - Gordon Strachan’s first game in charge.
“I’m quite excited to see what the new boss is like,” said Morrison.
“He’s an experienced manager and it’s an opportunity to learn more things from him and see where the team can go.
“He was a top midfielder in his day and he’ll know his stuff, which can only help me.”