' COULD THIS BE CITY'S BEST SIGNING THIS SUMMER? '

He fine tuned Luis Suarez and is trusted by Gareth Bale... Could this man be Cardiff City's best summer signing?

Wales Online

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He was credited by Steven Gerrard for the ‘brutal’ regime that saw Liverpool come close to the Premier League title, cited as helping get the best out of Luis Suarez and is now one of the men making sure Gareth Bale is keeping the dream of millions alive with Wales in Euro 2016.

With such a background, it is safe to say Cardiff City have pulled off a coup in landing lauded fitness and performance chief Ryland Morgans.

It was the appointment of Lennie Lawrence that may have made more of the headlines following the announcement of a Bluebirds backroom shuffle, the expected return of the former manager to assist Paul Trollope an important step in trying to boost the football contacts and knowledge at the club.

But it is the arrival of Morgans – once he finishes duties with Chris Coleman in France – that perhaps is the more significant and the most promising signal of the club, and the team, moving in the right direction in the Trollope era.

Swansea-born Morgans, educated at Cardiff Met University, had worked at the likes of Fulham and Nottingham Forest, but it was his work with Swansea City where he first came to real prominence.

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Under Brendan Rodgers, his approach to the fine details of physical preparation, went hand-in-hand in the Swans’ successful attempts to establish themselves in the Premier League with the style they did so.

It was to no-one’s surprise that Rodgers lured Morgans with him to Liverpool once he was appointed at Anfield, a nod to the impact he had made at the Liberty despite not being the Northern Irishman’s own appointment in South Wales.

Likewise, it says much of Morgans’ work that Gary Speed made him one of his first appointments in the Wales set-up as he looked to change the fortunes of the national side with a new modern, professional approach not only akin to Premier League set-ups, but beyond them.

Walking into Anfield, the former Welsh semi-pro player would have faced the same questions over his credentials as Rodgers, having not worked at such a level of club.

And yet the pair were comfortable that their work on the Melwood training ground would speak for itself and it did not take long for the likes of Gerrard to outline the significance of the things being done.

“The squad are in very good condition – pre-season has gone perfectly up until this point,” said the then Reds skipper in the summer of 2013.

“Personally, it’s been the most difficult pre-season we’ve had and the training has been brutal. We’ve got a fitness coach (Ryland Morgans) in who has been here for close to eight months now and has put us through our paces.

“I think the quality in our performances has shown in the games. We’re yet to concede a goal and we’re scoring freely. So far so good – there’s still a long way to go and a lot of hard work to be put in, but we couldn’t be in better condition at this stage.”

It should be noted that Liverpool came within a whisker of winning the title that term, playing an explosive, high-intensity game that captured the imagination that season.

Suarez’s incredible displays that year were also attributed to the high levels of fitness he maintained in order to produce consistently, his daily workload managed carefully to make sure he did not suffer burn-out or risk of injury.

Gerrard went on to describe how Morgans and Rodgers worked closely to individualise the ageing midfielder’s training programme in order to get more out of him, revealing how data from his performances and training from previous managers had been pored over.

It is a key factor in Morgans’ work, as detailed in what has gone on behind the scenes with Wales before and during their amazing European adventure.

There is no catch-all approach, players treated differently in terms of the way their body works, the nature of their game and their history of injury. It is something that can be key in the slog of a Championship season.

It is more than just being the man who works out the fitness regime, but a key component of the management team in terms of selection decisions, the type of conditioning needed for the type of game the manager wants the player to utilise.

It requires a close working relationship with the manager; there is little point in the advice from the performance director – as he is titled at Cardiff – if it is to be ignored.

He had it with Rodgers, he has it with Coleman – Morgans a key voice in meetings where the Wales boss’ support staff do not sit silently – and there is already a key understanding between himself and Trollope from their time with Wales.

He is a demanding figure, both of the players and the work they are expected to undertake, and of the club.

Morgans has previously fought for the best conditions and facilities with Wales benefiting from his hands-on approach to the design and kitting out of the high-tech set-up in their base camp in Dinard currently.

Though out in France, there is no doubt information is already being passed between Brittany and South Wales so all can hit the ground running.

And it will be in Cardiff’s benefit to listen to such demands if they are to make the most of his and Trollope’s vision. There have been questions over the approach made by the club on the training ground over the past few seasons and whether the right kind of thinking had the right kind of say.

If he is someone who has the trust of Gerrard, Suarez and Gareth Bale, then he is someone worth listening to.

With Premier League, Champions League and international football experience, the Bluebirds’ bid to avoid another season of Championship frustration has taken a significant step forward.

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delighted with the news! the man has been successful and this club needs staff with that pedigree

Absolutely cracking appointment. If he can get another 5-10% out of the players that's the difference we might need.

If this is the only thing to come out of Trollope's involvement in France then it's been a worthwhile few weeks anyway.

delighted with the news! the man has been successful and this club needs staff with that pedigree

I think we might just be seeing the early signs of what a Paul Trollope led team might bring to Cardiff City FC and you have to say that so far it's difficult to see anything but positives...

Unwanted players out, new arrivals in the pipeline, the manage's preferred assistant (Lennie Lawrence), retention of one of the games brightest coaching talents (James Rowberry) and now Ryland Morgans, who is alongside Paul Trollope, a big part of Wales Euro 2016 success!

Unlike this time last year, I'm looking forward to the new season starting and I am full of hope for 2016/17

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Even if it's a waste of money it's peanuts we are paying anyway.

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Even if it's a waste of money it's peanuts we are paying anyway.

but we continue to waste money on these players peanuts or not..

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Even if it's a waste of money it's peanuts we are paying anyway.

but we continue to waste money on these players peanuts or not..

Don't lose sleep over it it's not you're money.

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Even if it's a waste of money it's peanuts we are paying anyway.

but we continue to waste money on these players peanuts or not..

Don't lose sleep over it it's not you're money.

It's not just money were wasting it's space and time. Our scouting system is terrible simple as

Also with Lennie Lawrence coming back I'm really excited for this coming season even more now reading about this guy he has very impressive CV and we have pulled a coup so well done Trollope and Choo for bringing him wouldn't be surprised if we are the most fittest team in the league so let's be having it!

all we need now is some players we have actually heard of

Players we have heard off don't guarantee they will be good like Le Fondre.

true but look at the previous unkowns.. doyle, saadi (your lover) lol, acorn, veljionka and the list goes on. why keep spending money on these spanners when you could pay the wages and not take that kinda gamble ala Kenwynne.. not hard to get someone like him off the wage bill when he wasn't performing was it.

British prolific strikers in the championship now have become too expensive would rather go down the route we are doing get someone who could be just as good or even better from abroad and Watford have reaped the rewards of doing it with signings like Ighalo etc.

difference is Watford know what hey are doing lol and they normally come threw the other clubs their owner owns who just so happens to be decent teams like Granada and udinese. they had the like of vydra and forresteri to get them up who was already both proven strikers from udinese and numerous midfield players from both clubs.. we are relying on unproven striker who we have to rely on youtube to get a glimpse of what they are like.. we continue to waste money over and over again..

Even if it's a waste of money it's peanuts we are paying anyway.

but we continue to waste money on these players peanuts or not..

it's testing my patience I know that much, totally fed up and underwhelmed by the club being so clueless at purchasing a striker. Horrible to judge a player before he's played a game, but, i'm sure if Cardiff held a referendum, we would be voting this regime out, no confidence in them whatsoever purchasing players