James Morrison: Tony Pulis similar to Roy Hodgson

Midfield star James Morrison says Tony Pulis has had a similar impact to Roy Hodgson after stamping his mark on the Albion team.

Pulis faces former club Stoke tomorrow looking to further boost the Baggies' bid for Premier League survival.

And Morrison has revealed how the Hawthorns head coach, who was appointed on New Year's Day to succeed the sacked Alan Irvine, has adopted a similar approach to current England boss Hodgson, who led the Baggies to 11th and 10th in the Premier League in his season and a half in charge.

"Tony's made us very solid," said Morrison. "It's similar to when Roy came in.

"First of all he's made us solid and made us more of a team. You can see everyone is working extra hard and there are tackles flying in so it's been enjoyable.

"You have to look at me and Craig Gardner playing on the wings.

"Everyone knows we're not wingers but we've been getting on with it, heads down and working hard, doing our jobs for the team.

"That's what he says. You sacrifice yourself for the team."

Morrison has operated wide on the right for most of Pulis's games in charge, although after playing in the heart of midfield for last weekend's FA Cup defeat at Villa he could keep that spot tomorrow with Claudio Yacob beginning a two-match suspension.

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The Scotland international admits he is still not comfortable out wide.

But he is enjoying his time under Pulis after going through his worst spell as a Baggies player last season.

"I just do it," said the 28-year-old former Middlesbrough man.

"I like to think I'm a good pro' so I just get on with it.

"I try to enjoy it.

"I learned so much from last year when I wasn't in a good place and it was hard, so I try to just enjoy my football.

"It can be hard at times so I just enjoy it.

"Certain things unsettled it last year but that's in the past now."

The Baggies head into tomorrow's game on 30 points, eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

But they face a tough run of fixtures in the final month of the season so Morrison is warning they cannot take survival for granted.

"I said after we beat Southampton that there is still a long way to go," said Morrison.

"Villa are only five points behind us now so there is a lot of hard work to do.

"We want to get as far up the table as we can and have a good season."