Head Coach James Morrison says he’s “full of excitement” for the start of the new Sky Bet Championship season, and believes his side are “in a really good place” ahead of the new term.
Albion kick their second-tier campaign off with a trip to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, with more than 2,000 supporters heading across to Norfolk.
Speaking prior to the match at Carrow Road – which will mark just his third competitive game as permanent Baggies boss – Morrison insisted his group are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
With a smile, the gaffer said: “I’m full of excitement and I’ve got a few nerves, but I think my focus is on preparing the team properly. We’ve had seven weeks to do that and we feel like we’ve got the most out of pre-season with the games and the training.
“We’ve built confidence and I feel like we’re ready for the tests of a Championship season. I think the group is in a really good place. We’ve maximised that in pre-season and we’re now getting down to business, and in this business, you’re judged on results, so we’ll need to pick up results early.
“This journey is about the company you spend it with and building relationships, which is what we’ve tried to do in pre-season. It means we’ll have each other’s backs when the players step out onto the pitch.”
“For us, it’s about getting stability and looking good on the eye, being well organised, well coached and trying to be an exciting team. That said, we also need to be hard to beat like we were at the end of last season.”
The Baggies already have one competitive game under their belts - a 4-1 triumph over Rotherham United in the Carabao Cup last weekend.
Philippe Clement’s Canaries also began the season with a 4-1 win in the same competition, defeating MK Dons at Carrow Road, and finished the last campaign as one of the strongest-performing sides in the division.
As well as coming up against Norwich, August also sees Albion take on promotion candidates Burnley and Middlesbrough in the second tier and Premier League Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Tough tests on paper, for sure, but ones Morrison can't wait to tackle.
“I’m relishing the opportunity to come up against some of these teams early on,” the boss said. “You can work it both ways. Is it a good time to play them because they may not have their rhythm yet, or do you see it as a tough start?
“Ultimately, there’s a lot of travelling in there which isn’t ideal for the fans, but I’m sure they’ll be there for the team. They’re always fantastic.
“Football is nothing without supporters and I think they can see what we’re trying to do. I want them to wake up on matchday excited and it's my job to put a team out there that excites them. That’s what this football club stands for.
“I just see these first fixtures as exciting and they will put us in good stead. They will make us physically better, mentally better, and I believe we’re ready.
“Norwich are a powerful, well-organised and fit team. Philippe Clement has done an amazing job there and I’m sure they’ll be up there this season. However, I’m excited to see where we are and how far we’ve grown in a short period of time.”
