"He said first of all he didn't do his job" West Brom's James Morrison on Tony Mowbray talks

Mowbray, was was appointed in January for his second spell at the club, received the news of his dismissal from chairman and owner Shilen Patel in the wake of the 3-1 Hawthorns defeat to Derby on Monday. Morrison, once a player signed by Mowbray and now first-team coach, was placed in caretaker charge to see out the season.

Morrison also added he has called upon the group to take responsibility for recent failings and a run of five defeats from six which saw the Baggies tumble out of play-off contention and Mowbray lose his job after just three months.

Former Scotland international Morrison, who played 341 times for Albion in 12 years at the club, has challenged players to restore some pride in themselves.

"I had a conversation with him on Wednesday. As you know with Tony...he said first of all, he didn't do his job," said Morrison. "He was here to win football matches and that didn't happen, so he understands it.

"There has been a lot of emotion. It's just now about trying to get over that and trying to get a reaction in the best possible way, starting on Saturday."

Albion were beaten twice over the Easter weekend with desperately poor displays in key games at rivals Coventry and then at home to lowly Derby.

It took the run under Mowbray to five defeats in six games and just a single victory in eight. The 61-year-old had been brought back to the club - after a move to bring in Swiss coach Raphael Wicky broke down - to bring attacking football to score the goals to secure a play-off place in the wake of the Christmas departure of Carlos Corberan.

"I didn't want to be in this position at all, I wanted to support Tony," Morrison added. "I wanted us to progress, to be further up the league and in the play-offs - it didn't work. It's in the past now.

"I've been in this situation as a player. It's never easy, especially when you have a connection like I did, but the only way to overcome that is by being positive, doing our jobs as best as we can and working hard on the training pitch. That's what the lads have done, I can't thank them enough for that."

The Baggies have struggled for consistency all season and have won just once on their travels since September ahead of Saturday's trip to south Wales to face Cardiff. Morrison is assisted by Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill in his caretaker role.

"The main word you can use for this season is frustration," added the former midfielder. "The fans have every right to be frustrated, so hopefully we can put some pride back into their team.

"It's what I've asked the players to do, to take responsibility and get out of this situation. That's the way I'm thinking - all we can do is get six points and finish on a high."