West Brom Fan View: 300 games for James Morrison and hopefully many more to follow

When James Morrison lined up for the Baggies against West Ham last week, the Scot reached an impressive career milestone, in what was his 300th appearance for West Bromwich Albion. In the increasingly short-term nature of modern football, that’s quite an achievement.

He joined Albion in August 2007, the same month as fellow Baggie stalwart Chris Brunt, with Morrison costing just 1.5m from Middlesbrough. He came to the club as a skinny 21-year-old, brought in for his creativity in midfield, as Tony Mowbray set about restructuring his Championship side for a return to the Premier League.

He made 35 appearances in his debut season, immediately becoming an integral part of the side, as West Brom were promoted to the Premier League, ending up as Championship winners.

Over the next seven seasons, Morrison would go on to make at least 30 appearances per season for the Baggies, bar an injured ravaged 2009/10 Championship season.

Like Brunt, ‘Mozza’ has developed a reputation amongst Albion fans for scoring brilliant long-range goals. His efforts against Blackburn away, in which Peter Odemwingie also scored a cracker, and against Birmingham City in 2011, were particularly special strikes.

He’s still got it too, scoring a great goal against his former club Middlesbrough last month to open the scoring.

In fact, he’s currently on track for his best ever goalscoring season with the Baggies, having scored five goals already this season. He’s never scored more than five league goals in a season with West Brom, so one more goal would do it.

Such is the consistency of his scoring, Mozza is only two goals away from equalling West Brom’s all-time Premier League goalscorer record, having scored 28 goals in his Premier League career, with Odemwingie leading the way with 30 goals.

Like Brunty, James Morrison is now officially a West Brom fan favourite, he’s stuck with the club through promotions and relegations, scoring both great and important goals. He’s also kept himself out of trouble both on and off the pitch, apart from getting into a fight with Saido Berahino a few years ago, in what was a rare sign of frustration.

It looked like he might leave at the end of last season, with his contract expiring, but he signed a new deal until 2018, and I hope he stays for a few more years yet.

Thanks Mozza!

Boing Boing