James Morrison was in no mood to apologise for the manner of West Brom's home win over Watford, telling reporters after the final whistle that winning ugly is sometimes exactly what a side needs to do.

"You have to win ugly sometimes," the Baggies boss said in his post-match comments broadcast on Radio WM. "We knew it wasn't going to be pretty tonight, but the players dug in and got the job done. That's what matters."

Grinding out results

The sentiment will resonate with West Brom supporters who have spent large portions of recent seasons watching their side produce attractive football without the points to show for it. Morrison, who came through the club's ranks as a player before stepping into management, has spoken repeatedly about building a side that is difficult to beat first, and expressive second.

The win over Watford provides a measure of evidence that the approach is taking hold. Prior to kick-off, Morrison had spoken publicly about the importance of clean sheets, and while the full details of the scoreline were not confirmed in the broadcast excerpt, the Baggies clearly managed to keep Watford at bay at The Hawthorns.

Watford, who arrived in the West Midlands having made three deadline-day additions according to manager Alessio Dionisi earlier in the week, will be disappointed not to have taken something from the match. The Hornets had shown ambition in the transfer window, and a positive result away from home would have underlined the potential of their new-look squad.

What it means in the table

For West Brom, the three points represent a significant moment in a season that Morrison has been at pains to frame as a long-term project rather than a sprint. The club's summer business, described by Morrison himself as following "a clear plan on deadline day", has been geared towards building depth and competition for places rather than making headline signings for their own sake.

Additions including Toby Collyer from Manchester United and winger Kareem Tunde from Levante have brought fresh options, and the squad appears to have a shape and a sense of direction that was not always visible in previous campaigns. Whether that translates into a genuine promotion push remains to be seen, but September wins over second-tier rivals carry real weight.

Watford, for their part, face the familiar early-season question of how quickly new players can be integrated. Dionisi's three late arrivals will need time to bed in, and away defeats in games like this one are a reminder that the Championship rarely offers any grace period.

Morrison's message

Morrison's post-match tone was measured rather than triumphant. He has consistently played down individual results, preferring to talk about patterns and habits over the course of a season. His choice of phrase, "winning ugly", suggests he is aware the performance may not have been convincing, but that he views the mental and physical resilience required to secure three points in those circumstances as something worth nurturing in itself.

For a club of West Brom's size, with a fanbase that expects regular promotion challenges, the key test is always whether a good August and a solid early September can be sustained through the grinding midwinter run of fixtures. Morrison's immediate task is to ensure this victory is a foundation rather than an isolated high point.

The two clubs may well meet again in the reverse fixture later in the season. By then, both squads will have had time to settle, and the context of the table will sharpen the meaning of the result considerably.

Frequently asked

What was the result of West Brom vs Watford?
West Brom beat Watford at The Hawthorns, with manager James Morrison describing it as a hard-fought, 'ugly' win for his side.
What did James Morrison say after the Watford game?
Morrison said 'you have to win ugly sometimes', emphasising that the players showed resilience and that getting the three points was what mattered most.
Where are West Brom in the Championship table?
West Brom picked up a home win over Watford in early September, adding to their points tally in what Morrison has described as a long-term project for the season.