Despite losing just 1 of their first 6 games, Mick McCarthy led Cardiff City to 8 straight league defeats, the worst run in Cardiff history and saw him replaced by U23’s coach Steve Morison.
Since the former Millwall striker took the reins, he’s won 3 out of his first 6 games and has injected a new lease of life into the football club.
Cardiff occupies 20th position in the Championship table and sit 5 points above the drop zone after taking 21 points from an available 60.
With that being said, I asked Bluebirds fans for their thoughts on Steve Morison, their transfer window hopes and where they think Cardiff City will sit in the table, come the end of the season.
This is what they had to say…
Gareth Williams – ‘Tying Joe Ralls down to a new deal is a must’
I’ve been happy with Steve Morisons’ reign to date. He’s turned around an 8-game losing streak all whilst changing the style of play and philosophy at the club.
The emergence of academy players has been excellent and holds promise for a bright future, but we can’t expect too much too quick from them. It’s quite a jump from under 23s football to the Championship. You can only hope they grasp their opportunities which too date they have. Colwill and Isaak Davies are testament to this. Add in the emergence of Sam Bowen and with the other pros, the future looks promising.
With so many out of contract next season, tying Joe Ralls down to a new deal is a must. He knows the club and his experience will be vital with so many youngsters around the squad.
Prediction – 14th-19th.
Ben Evans – ‘Morison’s giving the team more of an identity’
The main thing for me is, Morison very clearly and openly cares about the club, something that has been an issue for the fans with our managers from the past few years, or since Warnock really. The results we’ve had since he’s taken over have been far more positive and from my perspective, Morison’s giving the team more of an identity and I like the football we’ve been playing. The young players are looking good under him, and I am excited to see which other under 23 players could be given a chance under him. I don’t think we finish any higher than 12th but anything mid table is a success from the manager and the players.
I think the club should look at Luke Jephcott as a potential long-term signing and offer him a chance to break into the Welsh team. There are players in the premier league, young players who could work well on loan, players like Liam Delap, Anthony Elanga, players who have real potential but still could do with some more first team football
Prediction – 15th.
Tom Phillips – View from The Ninian – ‘It’s clear we need reinforcements in the centre of midfield.
You can already see the impact Steve Morison is having. We’ve managed 3 wins in the last 4 whilst playing a completely new style of football. We’re trying to get the ball down, string passes together, and get the ball wide. There looks to be a higher intensity to everything we do and there are smiles on the players’ faces. He’s built a rapport with the fans and acknowledges that we’re there. It’s chalk and cheese to the end of McCarthy’s reign.
It’s clear we need reinforcements in the centre of midfield. Teams are cutting right through the heart of us at times, and when we’re without Ralls, we look completely lost. We’re blooding youngsters – which is great to see – and there will no doubt be some frustrating periods before the end of the season. As fans we need to stay patient and give the new gaffer time to implement his vision.
With our current squad, I can’t see us finishing much above mid-table this season, but I’m excited to watch it unfold. We’ve got some real talent coming through, a youthful coaching set up and suddenly the future isn’t quite as bleak as a couple of months ago.
Prediction – Mid Table.
Jeff Salway – ‘Morison is a rookie in an unforgiving league’
Back in August my chief hope for the season was that Cardiff would take a big step towards being a more sustainable club by bringing young talent through, developing a coherent club-wide playing philosophy, and rebuilding the bond between the club and the fans.
Steve Morison’s appointment arguably takes us in that direction, with game time for some undoubtedly promising youngsters and a playing style more aligned with the development sides.
Yet I have misgivings too. Morison is a rookie in an unforgiving league, with no experience of first-team management, the transfer market or guiding a team through the rigours of two tough games a week.
The transfer window in January is now crucial, with a clear need for additions out wide and for a different option in midfield. With Morison only in charge until the end of the season (as it stands) and several players out of contract at that point, there’s a risk of losing more than we gain come January.
But if we can stabilise, integrate academy talent into the side and develop a playing style that makes us worth watching, I’ll be happy with a mid-to-lower table finish.
Prediction – 14th.
Nathan Loveridge – ‘I’d like to see us bring Ryan Wintle back’
I don’t think Steve Morison could have wished for a much better start to his Cardiff City reign considering the results and, more importantly, performances achieved thus far. As a fan, the journey has only just started but shown much to be excited about.
In January I’d like to see us bring Ryan Wintle back from loan at Blackpool. He seems to be extremely comfortable on the ball in the middle of the park and will aid us in transitioning defence into a quick attack and vice versa. Incidentally, I’ve seen many calls for Max Watters to return from loan at MK Dons. Despite being in great form, I’d personally let him finish the season at MK Dons and allow him a full pre-season in the summer.
I’d like to think we can achieve between 10th – 12th by the end of the season and quickly ease fears of a relegation battle. Hopefully this will occur whilst continuing to build the foundations for next season and how we want to play going forward.
Prediction – 10th-12th.
Niamh Elin – ‘We need to enjoy the ride and see where this season takes us’
I think so far, we have seen a positive change under Morison. Giving Zimba a chance showed me that he is willing to give the young players opportunities to bridge the gap between u23s and Senior football. As well as playing Colwill in his best position, number 10, which will enable him to develop as an influential creative player.
Although it hasn’t all been smooth sailing so far. As Hull at home was testament to, that the development and change will not happen overnight. Saying this I do think we need some of the senior players to step up. The likes of Bacuna, Vaulks and Pack in midfield.
Realistically i think we can end up 13th maybe 12th but if we dare to dream and be completely unrealistic, we could maybe even get playoffs (we are only 12 points away). I think we have seen glimmers of hope so far in Steve Morison’s games of hopefully what is to come! Think we need to now enjoy the ride and see where this season takes us.
Prediction – 12th-13th
Elliott Cantor – ‘Morison has turned Cardiff City’s season around in just a few games’
Steve Morison has turned Cardiff City’s season around in just a few games. Having been dropping like a stone under a clueless Mick McCarthy, he has come in like a breath of fresh air. I was slightly surprised when he was given the job until the end of the season after the comments coming from above (Dalman/Choo) but in another way I wasn’t surprised. He knows the club well, he’s brought through all the younger players in the u23’s, and together with Tom Ramsut and Mark Hudson, they’ve formed quite the trio.
The addition of Mark Hudson to the staff was fantastic both on and off the pitch – he’s loved by our fans and has been plying his trade at Huddersfield and coaching badges with the FAW. Morison has had the fans on side since day 1. He knows what we want. even if it’s just a fist pump at the end of the game, little things like that go a long way with the fans. Something Mick never did.
I think we should recall a couple of loans such as Murphy, and Wintle. Murphy is a confidence player of who I think Morison could get the best out of. If we have funds available, I’d look at another centre midfielder, and a creative player/number 10. We lack a bit of spark – think Tomlin when he was on form, but someone who can play week in week out.
I expect us to finish in the top 10; we’re probably too far off to make the top 6, but stranger things have happened and if there was a team to gate crash the playoffs, I think this bunch under Morison could do it.
Prediction – top 10.
Tom Taylor – ‘There seems to be a better sense of unity within the squad’
There are early but definite signs of improvement for Cardiff City under Steve Morison. The football is far better than what it was towards the end of the Mick McCarthy era and there seems to be a better sense of unity within the squad. There have been bumps in the road, but in my opinion that’s to be expected. Having a new manager isn’t miracle cure, especially considering how poor things were when Morison took over, and results like we saw against QPR, and Hull are to be somewhat expected.
I can see us finishing around mid-table but considering how poorly we started I’ll happily take that. A lot of it rests on what we do in January with such a limited budget. I personally would like to see Ryan Wintle and Max Watters recalled from loan not only because they’re quality players, but they can add more squad depth. We’ll have to make use of the loan market in my opinion and should maybe look towards midfield. If we could get some Premier League youngsters in on loan to make our team a bit pacier (and to provide cover should Rubin Colwill or Mark Harris get injured) then we could have a much better second half of the season.
Prediction – 12th
Matt Gough – ‘The absolute priority is to keep Ryan Giles at the club’
I’m delighted with Morison’s reign thus far; he deserves a lot of credit for managing to change the philosophy as well as the overall morale of the squad in a short space of time.
Any City fan will tell you just how refreshing and important it is to see so much genuine passion from a manager of ours- and that is something that isn’t going anywhere.
We know that we’re not getting any budget to go out and buy players so for me the absolute priority is to keep Ryan Giles at the club, offer some of the senior players such as Joe Ralls a new contract and look at a few free signing options
I’m not going to be unrealistic and say we’ll get top 6 because this is a project and Morison, and the team must be given time if the club is serious about changing the style of play and the philosophy. With that in mind I would be happy with a top half finish, maybe an ambitious 10th.
Prediction – 10th.
James Williams – ‘There’s a new air of life at the club.’
A few weeks ago, things we’re looking the bleakest they’ve been, arguably in the last 20 years or so. But since Steve Morison’s permanent appointment, there’s a new air of life at the club. Performances are better, results are better and once again the cohesion between all involved with the club is better.
It’s tough to look any further than the next game now but firstly let’s get away from the drop and see where the journey takes us. In terms of January, we’ll likely be working on minimal funds so for me it’s mainly down to getting Ryan Wintle back, tying down our most important out of contract players like Joe Ralls and making any smart deals we can find, like that of Mark McGuinness back in the summer.
I think we’ll end up somewhere around 11th, 12th, 13th is feasible. Let’s push for a solid second half of the season and see where this new era in City’s history goes.
Prediction – 11th-13th
Matt Skinner – ‘Is this the time for a big reset at Cardiff? Yes, I think it is.’
Morison’s had a decent start, and you can already see the football the team are playing is better than what we witnessed under McCarthy. At times we might look a bit out of shape but it’s new for a lot of this team and it will only benefit them in the future.
The men at the top need to be looking at the development of this squad from under 10s all the way through to the first team and get a system in place so players can come in and have a clear idea of what the game plan is. Morison worked wonders with the U23s, and you can see from the players he’s brought in how much confidence they have playing that system and way. If the club decide to get someone with a bit more experience to manage the team, Morison will need to be involved with the U23s again but who’s saying he can’t be the main man.
I think we need someone in midfield that can give us a bit of creativity, something we’ve lacked for a while now. We’ve got the hard working, industrial types but someone who can unlock a defence with a bit of vision.
One thing we need to do is set out early who’s going to be staying and who will be released with so many senior players contract up at the end of the season. Is this the time for a big reset for Cardiff? yes I think it is.
Prediction – 10th
Stuart Ottery – ‘Bringing Hudson back to the club was a stroke of genius’
You can see signs of progression already under the new management team.
Luton was the first time all season where we controlled large parts of the game, there’s more movement, more pace to our play and the players look like they are enjoying football again.
I’d still like to see us move the ball quicker, but it’s 100 times better than it was just a few weeks ago. And if nothing else, it’s great to be scoring goals again! Morison has got the fans onside already and bringing Hudson back to the club was a stroke of genius.
In January, I’d like to see us add some real pace into the team in January, and a ball playing centre midfielder who’s comfortable on the ball, although I think we may already have that in Tom Sang.
We’ll end up mid table, top half, and then hopefully kick on next year, with the kids having gained plenty of experience this year and having a real go at promotion.
Prediction – 10th.
Steve Johnson – The Cardiff City Phone in live – ‘Morison was the obvious choice for us’
We were delighted to see the appointment of Steve Morison, as manager, until the end of the season. We’d been arguing for this, in the lead-up, to the announcement from the club. If the powers that be wanted a young, up and coming, coach that was ambitious and affordable, Morison was the obvious choice for us.
Steve Morison and Tom Ramasut’s influence on the Academy has clearly been positive and they’ve now even gone nine from nine. It made complete sense to give the job to someone, already closely connected with the under 23’s, rather than take a risk with another young coach, snatched from another club.
Financially, as Steve and Tom are already on the books and with their excellent relationship with the younger players and ability to bring the best out of them, it was, in our opinion, a no-brainer. A nod towards the needs of City’s phenomenal fan-base, evidenced by Morison and the team’s connection with fans, at recent matches, is so refreshing. The return of Mark Hudson is similarly welcome news.
It feels as if the club is starting to re-connect with its fan-base, not before time.
Prediction – 11th.
Andy Gorman – ‘Pack and Bacuna are just not up to it’
I really feel the appointment of Steve Morison and Tom Ramasut was a step in the right direction, the players have clearly responded to them and their coaching on the field, the few problems that we do have are the quality of the players.
Unfortunately, we are being found out in midfield, and to survive in this league we must have players who stand up and be counted. Pack and Bacuna are just not up to it and are costing us goals. We need midfielders who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and take charge and it’s just not there.
We also need a midfielder who can link the defence with the midfield. This is where I feel we need to strengthen in January to finish mid table and be safe. The new young players that have been brought through will be enhanced by some experience of a couple of quality midfielders who can take charge of the games that will come thick and fast.
Need to keep Moore, but any big offers will be hard to refuse if the price is right. I really do feel we’ll be fine (mid-table) if the right players come in.
Prediction – 15th.
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