Moore the merrier to see goals fly in from all angles!

VARIETY is the spice of life for Darren Moore, who is delighted to see West Bromwich Albion score so many different kinds of goals.

Manchester City are the only team in the top four divisions of English football to have found the net on more occasions than the Baggies.

The two goals at Ipswich last Friday night took Albion to 39 for the season, seven more than Championship leaders Norwich City.

Jay Rodriguez’s ninth of the season came at the business end of a patient team move that utilised the full width of the pitch.

Individual brilliance from Harvey Barnes played a major part in West Brom’s second, all-important goal after the interval.

“One thing that’s pleasing for us so far this season is that we’ve scored all types of goals,” said Moore.

“Whether it’s been counter-attacking goals, creative goals playing through the pitch, set-plays.

“That’s really pleasing for me in terms of the type of goals we score because every game is different.

“This (Ipswich) game was different to the one against Leeds. You really have got horses for courses. You’ve got to change and be adaptable to different shapes and systems.

“They created one or two problems for us second half with a change of system. We’ve had to change our shape to counteract that and keep the game in our favour. Other than one lapse in concentration, that gave them hope in the game, I have to be very pleased with the performance.”

Rodriguez, Barnes and Dwight Gayle, a late substitute at Portman Road, already have 25 Championship goals between them – four more than second-placed Middlesbrough.

But Moore feels Albion’s offensive threat doesn’t end there.

“Hal Robson-Kanu, Matty Phillips – these are players that given half a chance will get a goal,” he said. “They’ve got the scoring prowess to take that. Whenever you’ve got that in the team you’ve got a chance.”

Phillips showed no hangover from Scotland’s Nations League celebrations as he backed up his all-action Leeds performance with another against the Tractor Boys.

The 27-year-old played a key role in both goals and was instrumental throughout. A winger by trade, it would seem the former QPR man has been reborn playing more centrally in a midfield three.

“He’s another player showing his versatility,” Moore said. “He’s enjoyed it in there in the last couple of games.

“It’s another string to his bow and a great one for us to have in that position. We know what he is in terms of his goal threat. He’s a strong powerful boy and a good intelligent footballer.

“It’s a position we’ve looked at and he’s taken to it like water off a duck’s back in terms of his application.

“We know what he can do outside on the flanks, but it’s nice to have that added advantage knowing he can be just as effective inside the pitch.”

James Morrison has plenty left in the tank and wants the midfielder to end his career with the club, according to Darren Moore.

Morrison, who has made more than 300 appearances since joining West Brom in August 2007, is enjoying a renaissance in Moore’s new-look 4-3-3 formation. The 32-year-old has rolled back the years in recent weeks with a string of fine displays that have seen him keep his place in a winning team.

It’s all a far cry from last season when Morrison was forced to watch from the sidelines Achilles injury.

He was only offered a contract extension in the summer after he satisfied Moore of his fitness levels – and the head coach feels the Albion veteran’s form has vindicated his decision.

“He was out of contract, he had an opportunity to go away, but he stayed and we wanted him to stay,” Moore said. “We had no doubt. Mozza has unfinished business here, he loves the club.

“His family are settled in the area and we want to see him finish his career at West Brom, because there’s a lot of football in James Morrison yet.” with a niggling