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EFL Cup: Rotherham v West Brom - 'Good habits' and tough start will have James Morrison focused The season gets started in unusual fashion, in the EFL Cup, but there are a few reasons why it will mean plenty to Albion boss James Morrison. It might not be a tie to get the pulses racing, but any Albion curtain-raiser will see Baggies fans flock with anticipation. In this case, they do so not in league action, but for the EFL Cup - still under the sponsorship of Carabao - to the rather insalubrious setting of Rotherham United’s New York Stadium. The Millers have fallen on hard times. Just three years ago they were preparing for a Championship campaign, where they had spent much of the previous decade. But two relegations in three seasons since sees Rotherham scraping together a new squad for League Two for the first time since 2012/13. A former Albion coach in Alex Bruce, part of the backroom staff and son of Steve, is now at the helm in South Yorkshire. Bruce has spoken at several points over the summer about a lack of availability after years of difficulty. James Morrison’s Baggies, meanwhile, should be well-versed in tackling clubs lower down the pyramid. Five of six summer friendlies were against lower league opposition. Three against sides from or just promoted from League Two. The level of opposition should come as no surprise. It is an unusual starter, after the EFL’s decision to kick off with their domestic cup competition, rather than straight into the thick of league action. The fact of the matter is even though the tie will be decided on the day via a penalty shootout if necessary - there is no extra time until the semi-final - a first round League Cup tie does not carry the weight of three points in the Championship. But taking your eye off the ball of this curtain-raiser would be doing a disservice to its significance not only to travelling supporters, but to boss Morrison. This remains the first competitive fixture of the season. Cynics may label it a glorified friendly, but for the head coach this is the first fixture at the start of his first season at the helm. It, like any game, will mean a lot. It would be embarrassing to crash out to fourth tier hosts at the first hurdle. But beyond that, the prospect of heading to an ambitious Norwich at Carrow Road on the opening day of the Championship having been beaten at Rotherham is far from ideal. Morrison has addressed “good habits” more than once in interviews throughout pre-season. He is an individual known for setting standards, and has been over his two decades at the club. A below-par or complacent display are not habits Morrison will expect to see too often, if at all this season. Another common reference throughout pre-season has been Albion’s tough start to the Championship season. After Norwich comes Burnley, relegated from the Premier League, then big-spending Middlesbrough, before the list eases somewhat. It is an unforgiving opening league trio and the Baggies will have to be right at it, with some early momentum, to take a decent points haul. This is all, of course, while the transfer window continues around Morrison and Albion. The Baggies head coach does have Wednesday’s recruit Felix Horn Myhre, the star £2.5million signing from Brann, to call upon if desired. It will be interesting to see if he makes do with the bench. Mikey Johnston is pushing back to fitness from that broken ankle and a start here may be too soon. Tammer Bany (hamstring) had minutes in Tuesday’s Coventry friendly.