Morison’s selection headache as Bluebirds host Potters
CARDIFF City host Stoke tomorrow night – but ahead of the upcoming derby against Swansea should Steve Morison experiment with his team selection?
The Bluebirds have picked up seven points in the last three games, including holding Preston North End to a draw at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
The performance against Preston was defensively solid, boosted by some good saves from Alex Smithies, and City could have won the game if Jordan Hugill’s late goal had not been disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Manager Steve Morison said: “It’s another game at home and another chance to get three points. Hopefully it’ll be a better game than Saturday.”
The visitors will have a dangerous forward line available, with Tyrese Campbell back to full fitness and Jaden Philogene-Bidace returning from a minor knock. They will likely join Josh Maja upfront.
Veteran centre-back Phil Jagielka, who signed for Stoke midway through his 23rd season of professional football, is fighting to be match-fit.
Recent results have pulled Cardiff City up to 17th in the table, further clear of the relegation picture than they were when they drew 3-3 with Stoke a week after Morison was appointed caretaker manager in October.
But Morison wants to push on further: “We had to get the club safe and get us winning games of football. We have been doing that, win more than we lose.
“I’d like to replicate those results and performances and we can then finish in a comfortable, mid-table position.”
City have a fully fit squad available and will likely pick three of the four of Tommy Doyle, Will Vaulks, Joe Ralls and Ryan Wintle in midfield.
Stoke loanee Alfie Doughty has been favoured over Joel Bagan at left wing back, joined by Cody Drameh on the right and a settled back three of Perry Ng, Mark McGuinness, and unlikely in-form man Aden Flint.
Popular youngster Rubin Colwill has been in and out of the team since scoring against Liverpool at Anfield, despite producing a superb free kick against QPR.
The striking positions raise more questions. Morison has partnered Isaak Davies with Jordan Hugill, whose all-round play has won fans over.
Hugill last scored against Peterborough in early February, while the latest of Middlesbrough loanee Uche Ikpeazu’s goals was a winner against Derby County two weeks ago – but Ikpeazu is yet to start for City.
Bluebirds fan Christopher Alexander said: “We must build confidence with the Swansea game coming up. We have to beat them and finish above them, it is our cup final.
“Secondly, we need to see who is worth keeping [after their loans expire] so Uche deserves a start up front with Hugill.”
But fellow fan Jackie O’Mara-Morley disagreed: “No, I’m sorry, Uche should not start… he is not the quickest, not the most talented, but he is strong!
“Super-sub – the new Leo-Fortune West – a fab addition to the team.”
Reflecting on the progress since the Bluebirds came back to snatch a 3-3 draw in Morison’s first game in charge, the manager said: “I’ve gone from standing at 3-0 down wanting the ground to swallow me up and someone to take me out of it, to loving it. You still get nervous before every game.”
