There are few fixtures in the Championship that carry quite as much personal resonance as the one arriving at The Hawthorns this Saturday. West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison will face his former manager, mentor and, until recently, his direct predecessor in the dugout, as Blackburn Rovers and Tony Mowbray make the journey to the West Midlands.

A bond forged in Middlesbrough

The connection between the two men stretches back to the summer of 2007, when Mowbray signed a young Morrison from their shared home town of Middlesbrough, making the midfielder one of his first recruits after taking charge of Albion. Morrison went on to make 341 appearances for the club, the first 78 of them under Mowbray's stewardship, and the pair shared one of the most celebrated chapters in Albion's recent history: the 2008-09 Championship promotion campaign, which also included a run to the FA Cup semi-final.

When Mowbray returned to The Hawthorns in January 2025 for a second spell, Morrison was part of his backroom staff. That reunion proved short-lived, however; the board moved to sack Mowbray in April 2025, just three months after his reappointment.

Morrison's winding road to the top job

Morrison's own path to the manager's office was anything but straightforward. He stepped in as caretaker in April 2025 following Mowbray's departure, only to be passed over when Albion opted for an outside appointment in Ryan Mason. A further caretaker stint followed in January 2026, again making way for a permanent hire, this time American coach Eric Ramsay. When that arrangement ended after nine winless matches in February, the board finally turned to Morrison on a full-time basis.

The decision appears vindicated. Since taking charge in February, Morrison has lost just six of his 24 Championship matches, and Albion currently sit sixth in the table, well clear of any relegation anxiety and back within touching distance of a promotion push. The mood around the club has shifted markedly.

"We had one of the best seasons for the club getting promoted and getting to an FA Cup semi-final," Morrison told BBC Radio WM. "It's important to remember the good times with Tony, but we still need the three points."

A home problem to address

For all the positives, Morrison is well aware of a specific weakness his side needs to address. Albion have played five Championship home fixtures this season and won only two of them. A sixth successive home game brings a Blackburn side that sit just two points below them in the table, making this far more than a sentimental occasion.

"They've got a bit of an underdog status, and he's outperforming where everyone thought they would be," Morrison acknowledged. "But we're looking to back up a victory, which is very important in this division."

Mowbray returns with goodwill, not bitterness

For his part, Mowbray insists he harbours no resentment towards Albion despite the abrupt end to his second spell. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, the 62-year-old was generous in his praise for both the club and his former player.

"Albion are a wonderful club with an amazing support base and a perception to be a Premier League club rather than a Championship club," Mowbray said. "I signed James Morrison in that time. He is a very bright guy and is now doing exceptionally well as a manager."

He added, with characteristic warmth: "I'm looking forward to pitting my wits with James. And hopefully he has a bad day on Saturday. But I then hope he carries on doing well after that."

What is at stake

With just two points separating the sides in the Championship standings, Saturday's fixture matters well beyond the personal narratives. For Albion, a home win would strengthen their grip on a play-off position and provide the sort of consistent home form that promotion contenders require. For Blackburn, a positive result at one of the division's more established grounds would underline Mowbray's claim that this squad is capable of competing with the upper tier of the second division.

Morrison summed up the mood neatly: "I still look up to him as my gaffer. It will be good to compete with him. And I hope he gets the reception he deserves."

Those sentiments cut both ways. Come full time on Saturday, only one of them will be smiling professionally.

Frequently asked

What is James Morrison's record as West Brom manager?
Since taking permanent charge in February, Morrison has lost just six of his 24 Championship matches, with Albion sitting sixth in the table.
What is the connection between James Morrison and Tony Mowbray?
Mowbray signed Morrison from Middlesbrough in 2007 and managed him during Albion's 2008-09 promotion season. Morrison later joined Mowbray's backroom staff during his second spell at The Hawthorns in early 2025.
Where are West Brom in the Championship table ahead of the Blackburn game?
West Brom are sixth in the Championship, with Blackburn sitting just two points below them going into the fixture at The Hawthorns.