James Morrison

[SeB 1,281]

In my wishlist there's a player I really started to like this season, it's West Bromwich Albion's James Morrison. He used to be in Brunt's shadow but after Brunt's injury against Everton on the boxing day, Morrison started to take the play to his account.

West Bromwich has mainly played in 4-5-1 this season (as they always did with all possibilities with a 5 man midfield: 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1...) and Morrison became crucial in many domains of the play.

WhoScored has written a paper about him

http://www.whoscored...mproved-Players

He can shoot, he can pass, he can give deliveries, he can tackle, he can intercept, he crosses well, he's decisive (5 goals, 5 assists). He's versatile, he can play deep in a 2 man midfield, in CAM, on the left wing. And when he scores he does not fakes, it's often wonder goals, his volleying technique is terrific as well

I'm really fond of complete midfielders, it's really my favourite kind if player.*

In my opinion James Morrison is really what we can call a player suited for the "double pivot" system. With Di Matteo likely to continue with his 4-2-3-1 and due to Lampard's importance (beside Mikel of course), I think he could be a great purchase (Lampard couldn't play 60 games next year, even in a new deep role different from the typical box to box one).

I like Meireles but I think Morisson provides something a bit different, not in terms of creativity but in terms of balance between defensive and offensive duties, volume of play as well (beside the fact Meireles is tricked by his concentration, he loses in lucidity when he has to press, cover a big surface to defend**).

And of course Newton and Di Matteo coached him at West Brom, even if he wasn't at the level he's now (due to Brunt's influence) so it's a reason to think that if Di Matteo is unable to know something about Ligue 1's top scorer, he's likely to remember a player he used to coach (and sometimes you see a potential at training you cannot put in the best conditions by playing him because you have results to produce, you cannot change your animation just on a betting).

*:I was fond of Stuart Holden last season but with his double injuries I doubt he'd come back to the level he rised to (especially because he was a piece of Bolton's pass & move approach at the start of the 2010/2011 season). He was able to do everything in MF

**:Though it's not a fatality, it just shows he's rather a deep lying creative player, really the best in front of two players (like Jordan Henderson). He can play elsewhere but he has weaknesses (but not that dramatic when we know he's regarded as a rotation player, and Meireles really is a decent squad player)

Thoughts ?

[Jose M 140]

I think we should rather blood Romeu and we have Mikel who is in great form to. However he looks like a interesting player that will defiantly eventually play at one of the Top 4.

[Spike 12,049]

Could be a good bet for the Midfield. Not as expensive as Cabaye and Moutinho and has over 100 appearances in the Premier League.

I have a feeling some users are just going to say: "Liverpool signing, move along."

[The Skipper 20,609]

Does he have enough to take it to the next level? I don't think so. I've admired Morrison for quite a while, but I think a club like West Brom is probably his level.

[Jase 43,479]

Have seen him play many times for West Brom before. A good creative player. Only question though would be, is he a Top 4 quality player? Not too sure about that TBH.

[Jase 43,479]

Could be a good bet for the Midfield. Not as expensive as Cabaye and Moutinho and has over 100 appearances in the Premier League.

Doubt Cabaye would cost anything more than 20m.

[Spike 12,049]

Doubt Cabaye would cost anything more than 20m.

I never said Cabaye would be an expensive transfer just that Morrison would be cheaper than him.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

You have very good eye Seb.

So if he is good enough for you, is good enough for me!

[Shane 2,275]

Who are we, Aston Villa? European Champions sign James Morrison? No thanks

[English Freak 456]

James Morrison is decent quality but he'll be nothing more than a bit-part player at a top 4 club.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,543]

that Gary Cahill from Bolton,hope we never buy him,only done it at a small club,villa reject.is not our standard..oh wait......

[Spike 12,049]

It doesn't matter what club someone plays for, if they are a good player, they are a good player.

Gary Cahill from Bolton

Petr Cech from Rennes

Jon Obi Mikel from Lyn Fotball

Frank Lampard from West Ham

Didier Drogba started out at Le Mans FC for crying out loud.

[Endrit 39]

No thanks.

I'd rather buy that ginger midfielder from wigan .

[English Freak 456]

It doesn't matter what club someone plays for, if they are a good player, they are a good player.

Gary Cahill from Bolton

Petr Cech from Rennes

Jon Obi Mikel from Lyn Fotball

Frank Lampard from West Ham

Didier Drogba started out at Le Mans FC for crying out loud.

Good examples..but none of them apply to Morrison.

He's a good player for a lower-level club like Charlie Adam was for Blackpool or Downing was for Middlesbrough.

[Spike 12,049]

Good examples..but none of them apply to Morrison.

He's a good player for a lower-level club like Charlie Adam was for Blackpool or Downing was for Middlesbrough.

You could be right, but I still dislike it when people dismiss players because their club is at a poor position on the table.

A team is only as talented as the sum of its parts. Gems are often hidden in rocks.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Brilliant as always SeB. We need more scouts like you at Chelsea.

Imo, this is exactly the type signings we need to make. I know it's not exactly "glamorous", but you can't afford to only buy players who cost more than 20m and you don't even have to. Cahill is proof to that.

Another player I would love to have here to fill that CM spot is James McCarthy. He plays a bit deeper than Morrison, but is very composed and already has about 70 PL appearances at the young age of 22.

[Spike 12,049]

Brilliant as always SeB. We need more scouts like you at Chelsea.

Imo, this is exactly the type signings we need to make. I know it's not exactly "glamorous", but you can't afford to only buy players who cost more than 20m and you don't even have to. Cahill is proof to that.

Another player I would love to have here to fill that CM spot is James McCarthy. He plays a bit deeper than Morrison, but is very composed and already has about 70 PL appearances at the young age of 22.

I agree with you about James McCarthy, he is quite impressive. He could be worth a look in.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Who are we, Aston Villa? European Champions sign James Morrison? No thanks

Exactly. Thank fuck we're going for the Hulks of this world and not the fucking James Morrisons of this world. That's Liverpool's domain.

[SeB 1,281]

In fact I don't really give a fuck but I'm not that surprised to see members "leaving" then coming back the forum, every topic has to be filled with the same generic comments... I use to laugh at Liverpool like everyone else here, but is there really a point to brand every less known player as "Liverpool's purchase" ?

Antonio Valencia certainly was a second hand player otherwise, like many others. I don't know from where comes this condescending way of thinking from many Chelsea fans (and other successful clubs as well)

James McCarthy is a very interesting player as well, he has an excellent mentality (he's a football addict). I just think Morisson is more creative and that he shots better

James Morrison is decent quality but he'll be nothing more than a bit-part player at a top 4 club.

It's my point, Morrison could be a number two behind Lampard with the view to play 4-2-3-1

Because I've doubts on Ramires' ability to handle that role and because Meireles is better elsewhere. But It's possible (and rather probable) that we'll eventually "cope" with Meireles, this season the team and the space between players/lines were stretched to their maximum and we saw Meireles struggling (like many other would have in that case)

[Spike 12,049]

In fact I don't really give a fuck but I'm not that surprised to see members "leaving" then coming back the forum, every topic has to be filled with the same generic comments... I use to laugh at Liverpool like everyone else here, but is there really a point to brand every less known player as "Liverpool's purchase" ?

Antonio Valencia certainly was a second hand player otherwise, like many others. I don't know from where comes this condescending way of thinking from many Chelsea fans (and other successful clubs as well)

James McCarthy is a very interesting player as well, he has an excellent mentality (he's a football addict). I just think Morisson is more creative and that he shots better

It's my point, Morrison could be a number two behind Lampard with the view to play 4-2-3-1

Because I've doubts on Ramires' ability to handle that role and because Meireles is better elsewhere. But It's possible (and rather probable) that we'll eventually "cope" with Meireles, this season the team and the space between players/lines were stretched to their maximum and we saw Meireles struggling (like many other would have in that case)

I predicted this was going to happen.

I have a feeling some users are just going to say: "Liverpool signing, move along."

If the 4-3-2-1 formation is to be used, the midfield duo or 'double pivot' will be the weakness. Mikel, Lampard and Romeu are the only players who are adept in the 'double pivot' as Meireles' defensive work leaves much to be desired besides he looks much more comfortable in a more advanced position. Besides, McEachran would probably excel in a more advanced position (I like to see him as an English Iniesta). A new CM is needed, whether it be 'Liverpool level' Morrison, 'Also Liverpool level' McCarthy, 'Not on the market' Cabaye or 'Being held hostage by Porto' Moutinho.