Who James Morrison really thinks the ‘favourites’ are for Wolves v West Brom | OneFootball

The Baggies boss has opened up on who he thinks the favourites are for the Black Country Derby.

West Brom boss James Morrison has admitted opponents Wolves go into the Black Country Derby as ‘favourites’, but that his Albion side are not daunted by the prospect of being the underdogs.

It’s all set up to be an enthralling clash at a raucous Molineux tomorrow lunchtime, with both sides starting the season well and staking their claims for promotion pushes.

In a game expected to have a lot of quality, and hopefully, a few goals, every player on each side will be giving it their all to win the bragging rights heading into the elongated international break.

These are matches where players can write themselves into each club’s folklore, with this the game that means the most to supporters than any other fixture in the calendar.

And no person knows that better than the Baggies boss Morrison, who played in five Black Country derbies and was on the winning side three times in the blue and white stripes.

Speaking before the first league derby in front of supporters in 14 years, Morrison has opened up about who he thinks the favourites are for this clash.

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What makes the Black Country Derby such an exciting and eagerly-anticipated watch is the fact both sides enter the fiery fixture in good form in the early stages of the season, with Wolves and West Brom situated towards the top end of the table and dreaming of a Premier League return.

Wolves, recently coming down from the Premier League, are hovering around the promotion picture, with a 1-0 victory away at Sheffield United last week meaning they’ve won three out of their last five league games and have 11 points on the board heading into the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Baggies have carried on their excellent turnaround under James Morrison, with Albion taking 14 points from their opening seven matches and also staking a claim for a promotion push.

James Morrison admits Wolves are ‘favourites’ over West Brom in Black Country Derby

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As reported by the Express & Star, West Brom boss James Morrison has admitted Wolves go into the Black Country Derby against his Albion side as the ‘favourites’, but has backed his side to be competitive and not be fazed by the underdog tag.

When asked if Wolves are the favourites for Sunday, Morrison replied: "Erm, I'm just going to be realistic here – yes.

"I'm not going to sit here (and say otherwise), it's facts.

"They've been a Premier League club for a number of years. They've financially been able to spend. So yes, they probably are the favourites.

"But like any game, we'll compete. We'll play to win. I like my teams to be competitive.

"There will be times where we'll be under pressure, there have been times this season, but it's when we come out from the pressure and get through that, and then take your opportunities.”

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There’s no doubt Wolves are the favourites for the Black Country Derby, with James Morrison being as honest as ever about that reality.

Just coming down from the Premier League, possessing parachute payments, keeping the core of their squad, as well as being in front of their home support on Sunday, there are quite a few factors as to why Wanderers are being backed to overcome the Baggies, but there’s no reason why the visitors can’t show a good account of themselves and catch Wolves out with a strong performance.

Albion will be full of confidence after a superb start to the season themselves which has seen them take 14 points from their opening seven games, showing they can mix it against some of the very best in the division.

The Baggies are likely to have less of the ball and will have to suffer, like Morrison alluded to, but on the break the visitors have quality in the forward areas to impact the game, with a big performance needed out of Jimmy-Jay Morgan if they are to earn a positive result.

Judging from the league table, there’s no reason why this can’t be a competitive affair, while West Brom will be optimistic about their chances at Molineux after winning their last two league trips there and scoring eight goals in the process.