Morrison knows Wolves is more than just another game

[BBC] In his post-match interviews after Albion's draw with QPR, James Morrison was asked if the clash with Wolves was 'just another game' to him. His answer was emphatic: "It goes far deeper than that. I keep getting reminded by the fans about this game, and it's for them." Morrison knows exactly what this game means to Albion supporters. A veteran of five Black Country derbies as a player, Morrison has been involved in some of Albion's most memorable moments against their old adversary. In the Championship in 2008, Morrison played in a 1-0 win at Molineux which virtually secured a promotion back to the Premier League. The fans celebrated Zoltan Gera's late winner that night as if promotion was assured. It was confirmed a mere two weeks later. In 2011, Roy Hodgson's first opponents as Albion boss were Wolves at The Hawthorns in a true relegation six-pointer. It was a game which was going the way of the visitors until Morrison balanced the scales late on. His shot in injury time was spilt by Wayne Hennessey and the on-rushing Carlos Vela tapped home to give Albion a point they never looked back from. Albion lost just one of their next eight games, and when they travelled to Molineux for the return fixture in early May the Baggies were safe, but their opponents were not. The Throstles could have inflicted a fatal blow on their near neighbours that day (Wolves stayed up by a point in the end), but instead Albion capitulated to a 3-1 defeat. That was the only defeat the current Baggies boss ever suffered against Wolves in his playing career, and it was a defeat that was inflicted after Albion had achieved their season's goal. Regardless, it tainted an otherwise joyful campaign, and Morrison will know how unpalatable defeat by Wolves is for Albion fans in any circumstances. [Shutterstock] He also knows first-hand what it means to not only beat your near neighbours, but humiliate them. One of the stand-out results in Albion's recent history was their visit to Molineux in February of the following season, a game now affectionately referred to as Wo1ve5. There were just five points between the sides going into the game, but there was a chasm between the two come the final whistle. Albion's 5-1 victory that day was the largest winning margin an Albion side had achieved on Wolves soil for 50 years, and Morrison played an enormous part in the rout. The second and third goals came from Morrison corners, before the midfielder assisted the final two goals. The iconic image of him standing off the pitch, one arm aloft looking into the South Bank as former Wolves player Keith Andrews drove home Albion's fourth from Morrison's pass, still adorns the wall of The Hawthorns to this day. With so little Black Country derby experience in the Albion ranks (only Conor Townsend of the existing squad has played in this fixture before), it will largely fall on the manager to explain to his players why this is so much more than just another Championship fixture. However, given how this team has embodied their manager's work ethic, values, determination and will to win on numerous occasions already this season, Albion fans will be confident that Morrison will get his message across ahead of this game of all games. Listen to more from Chris Hall at the Albion Analysis And don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest West Bromwich Albion news.