We don’t have end of season targets, we just want to win as many as we can – Morison
PRESTON travel to the Cardiff City stadium tomorrow, as the Bluebirds look to make it three league wins in a row.
Steve Morison will be hoping his side’s recent run of good form can continue against Preston tomorrow.
Narrow wins against Derby and QPR in their last two games have almost certainly guaranteed Cardiff a Championship place next year, with 18 points separating them and the relegation zone.
It now looks the right time to build on that, after the announcement of Morison’s contract extension until the summer of 2023.
In a press conference this morning, manager Steve Morison said: “We don’t have targets for the end of the season. We just want to win as many games as we can.
“We’ve not set the players targets. We just want to work and get better results.
“Over the last 10 games we’ve had more positive results than negative. There’s 10 games left. It would be great if we matched the form of the last 10 games.”
Preston sit 12th in the table, after just two wins in their last six games.
They are now seven points behind Luton Town sixth place, despite having played a game more. Their play-off hopes now seem unlikely, but by no means over.
Yet, the sheer number and intensity of games in the championship mean a good run of four or five games could see them right back in the mix.
Speaking yesterday in a press conference, Preston manager Ryan Lowe said: “We know we’re in for a tough afternoon because they’re going well, but they’ll be doing the same thing about us and thinking the same.
“It’ll be two teams trying to get three points, of course, but it’s one I’m really looking forward to because of the atmosphere as well.”
Team news
When asked about injuries this morning, Morison said: “Everyone’s fit. (Curtis) Nelson is back on grass this week, so it’s too soon for him.
“Apart from the long-term injured, we’ve got a full squad to pick from. A nice problem to have.”
Those injured long term include captain and defender Sean Morrison, and striker Max Watters.
For Preston, Ryan Lowe said “Injury wise there’s only Greg Cunningham (left back) and Tom Barkhuizen (forward) who won’t be available for this one, as well as Josh Murphy as he’s unable to play against his parent club.”
Striker Murphy is on loan from Cardiff City, meaning under league rules he is unable to play against the bluebirds tomorrow.
Cardiff City predicted XI (3-5-2)
(GK) Smithies, (LCB) McGuinness, (CB) Flint, (CB) Ng, (LWB) Doughty, (RWB) Drameh, (LCM) Ralls, (CM) Wintle, (RCM) Vaulks, (CF) Hugill, (CF) Colwill.
Preston North End predicted XI (3-4-1-2)
(GK) Iversen, (RCB) van den Berg, (CB) Diaby, (LCB) Hughes, (RWB) Potts, (LWB) Earl, (CM) Browne, (CM) Whiteman, (CAM) Johnson, (CF) Evans, (CF) Archer.
Cardiff City Championship form:
W, W, L, L, D
Preston North End Championship form:
W, D, D, L, W
