PREVIEW: West Brom looking to confirm survival as they host Watford at the Hawthorns

PREVIEW: West Brom looking to confirm survival as they host Watford at the Hawthorns

In Morrison’s first outing as West Brom manager, the Baggies lost 2-1 to fellow relegation rivals Oxford United in what to some was the final nail in the coffin for the once great side. Not many would have predicted where the side would find themselves with just three games to go, having installed belief and desire into the squad, Morrison has Albion five points clear of the relegation places and with just three games to go, potentially all but safe should they get a result against Watford.

One of the main points of Morrisons success has been his ability to sure up the defence, West Brom have conceded just four goals in their last eight and kept five clean sheets in that time. Their victory over Preston gave the Albion a massive boost to their survival hopes all while showcasing just how much Morrison has improved the side.

All the recent good news has been overshadowed by the recent news that the club has been charged by the EFL for exceeding the allowed loss of £39m over a three-year period. While West Brom are adamant they have complied with the financial fair-play rules however a threat of a points deduction has been swirling around the side in recent days with Morrison having ‘banned’ any talk of it.

With chaos and calm looming over the Hawthorns, their opponents Watford are having a slightly smoother end to the season, the Hornets currently sit 13th in the table having not won in any of their last five Championship games. Having struggled for true form all season, Watford have had their usual manager merry-go-round this season with Paulo Pezzolano and Javi Garcia both having left their post during the course of this season.

Now under the management of Will Still’s brother Ed, the Hornets have stabilized in recent months and now look set for another season in the second tier due to them being 12 points behind Hull City in the play-off positions and 13-points ahead of Oxford United in the relegation zone.

Having lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield United last week, Watford will be looking to bounce back yet their away form has been poor all season, the Hornets have won just four of their 22 away games which puts them 20th in the away form table, just above their hosts West Brom.

That being said, West Brom have been a far from impenetrable side at home, they have won just seven of their 21 league games at the Hawthorns this season. A true showing of just how poor Albion have been all season which has made their turnaround under Morrison that much more impressive.