James Morrison's Strategic Approach at West Bromwich Albion

James Morrison looks and sounds relaxed, but there’s calculation behind it.

On the eve of his first full season in charge of West Bromwich Albion, the head coach insists the club are “in a good place” with their recruitment – and just as importantly, in no rush to chase the wrong deals.

His rebuild has already taken shape. Six new faces are through the door, a significant refresh as Morrison moves from interim fixer to long-term architect. The first real glimpse of his new-look Baggies comes on Saturday, away at Rotherham in the Carabao Cup, before the Championship grind begins a week later.

For now, he likes what he sees.

“We're in a good place. As a club now we've got to be patient and find the right ones,” he told BBC Radio WM, underlining a shift from scattergun shopping to a more deliberate approach. He wants quality, but he also wants the right kind of noise around the club.

“Good players are always going to create that excitement. I want good players to arrive so they create that good feeling around the place and excitement for the fans.”

This isn’t a manager demanding signings for the sake of headlines. Morrison spoke of understanding the market and, crucially, understanding himself. The impatience that can grip a rookie coach has been replaced by a broader view.

“We've done some good business, signed six players, we're in a good place, I'm happy with everything's going,” he said. “I understand the market, I've understood myself - I'm not trying to get to want, want, want - I'm thinking about the bigger picture.”

That “bigger picture” has been drawn up in tandem with head of football operations Ian Pearce. The pair have quietly gone about building the squad profile Morrison believes can carry West Brom through a long Championship campaign.

“It's about working relationships, different opinions, identifying what type of players we need, so I've been really happy with the way we've been working,” he explained. Debate, not deference, has shaped the recruitment.

The latest product of that process is Norway midfielder Felix Horn Myhre, a signing Morrison makes no attempt to dress up as anything other than his own pick.

“I picked him out. I liked the way he moved, the way he was with the ball, the way he got forward,” he said. Horn Myhre has not arrived by accident or algorithm alone; he has been tracked and targeted.

“He's been on our radar for quite a long time. He's used to playing games with Europe and internationally, so he's well equipped and will fit in really well.”

European experience. International minutes. Mobility and intent on the ball. Horn Myhre fits the template of a coach who wants more energy, more purpose, more personality in midfield.

The patience Morrison talks about will be tested as the window ticks towards its close and the season gathers speed. For now, though, he has his core, his plan, and a dressing room beginning to feel like his own. The next few weeks will show whether that “good place” can survive the unforgiving reality of competitive football.