James Morrison's Albion have developed a quality that is most welcome - but that they'd rather not rely upon

Albion’s fanbase could almost become accustomed to the class of 2027’s remarkable ability to keep digging out results when up against it. By James Morrison’s own reckoning, they are not a side who necessarily have all of the tools he’d like to be able to wield right now but, clearly, you would write them off at your own risk.

It is remarkable how the footballing landscape can change in a matter of minutes; had the Baggies succumbed at Wrexham, when trailing with 15 minutes to play, further alarms might have been raised within a support-base still licking their derby day wounds.

The pressure would have cranked up with Blackburn Rovers visiting and Albion struggling to find the net.

Instead, as we sit here almost a week later, Albion have pocketed six points and remain in the upper reaches of the Championship table. It is early days, so they say, but it’s important also to point out that we have quickly progressed to a quarter of the way through the campaign and the table is beginning to settle down and take shape.

You’d rather be where Albion are than some of their second tier counterparts. Not only have they won over half of their matches under Morrison this term, they’ve also claimed ten points from losing positions.

Wrexham and Blackburn, on Saturday, learned that the game is never won when you face this outfit, as Rovers’ rivals Burnley did at the beginning of the season. QPR enjoyed a fortuitous lead for just three minutes before being pegged back.

That sheer will and attitude to carry on and on until the final whistle does not just emerge.

“That is credit to the lads,” Morrison said. “We might lack in other areas, but we have big belief and we go right to the end, we keep working the opposition.

"It was just about getting the belief into the players, staying calm and taking the game by the scruff of the neck.”

That calmness was understandable. Albion were rather shell-shocked for a moment after Andri Guðjohnsen’s brace. They had all the time in the world to compose themselves and set about responding, although undoubtedly the swift timing of Barney Stewart’s first goal helped matters.

The Baggies might actually have pegged back Blackburn before the visitors doubled their lead when Jayson Molumby hit the post from close range. The Irishman had a first-half to forget, yet his second spoke volumes.

It was quintessential Molumby, Molumby at his very best. Energy and aggression yes, but this was a performance lined with quality and substance in the final third, too. That he was able to turn in such a 45-minute showing so quickly after a disappointing first 45 says all you must know about the midfielder.

“I asked some individuals to do that [take the game by the scruff of the neck], and I saw it. I wanted more people running forwards - Jayson Molumby, I’d single him out. It just takes one player sometimes, to take the team forward and get everyone else going. He certainly did that.

“That is his experience, which is vital in the team. We missed it against Blues, because we are a young team. There are a few foreign boys in there who aren’t as vocal on the pitch when it comes to organising. He has that.”

It is not a coincidence that Albion, who have on plenty of occasions wilted under pressure and who have accepted defeat at times across their most recent Championship stint, have begun to earn results the hard way.

There is no magic wand. It doesn’t just happen. Work has been conducted behind the scenes to mentally steel this squad, so that they may show fortitude in the face of adversity.

Albion did not rest on their laurels when Isaac Price scored in each of these previous two matches - they set about trying to win the game, which they successfully managed to do in both instances. Indeed there was only ever one team winning either game once the Baggies drew level.

It is a feeling which has been cultivated and is bearing fruit in a competitive environment for the time being - although, let’s be honest, Albion would rather not have to keep going to the well in such dramatic circumstances.

You cannot beat the feeling of being a supporter who, upon walking away from the Racecourse on Tuesday or The Hawthorns on Saturday, has just seen their side win in such dramatic fashion. It really can make your weekend.

Albion must shed this habit of conceding first and giving themselves work to do, however. This was a fifth match in succession in which they’d conceded first and single goals were enough for Wolves and Blues. There won’t always be the happy ending, irrespective of the determination and application.

It is reassuring to know, though, that Albion do have this spirited ability to keep going, to not simply lie down. It will help them go a long way in achieving what they’re aiming to over the course of these next eight months.

“It's a combination of everything - who you bring in, what type of character they are,” Morrison reasoned. “In pre-season, we did exercises for that. Momentum helps in games. What we talk about daily, our habits.

“There are a lot of things that go into it - and probably me telling them they've got to keep going making their runs. It’s individual battles on the pitch - can you outwork your opponent? Is he going to track you when you keep running?

“For instance, the first goal against Wrexham - Jayson outran his man to get onto that second ball and he played the ball and we crossed it and scored.

“That's what we demand, because we're not that silky at the top end of the pitch where we've got that creative player, but we've got one big thing and that's the team spirit.

“The more games they'll play, they'll figure out the Championship and show the quality that I know they've got.”