‘ SEAN MORRISON ‘

How Cardiff City skipper Sean Morrison has reacted to being dropped and the 'outstanding' work he does behind the scenes

Tuesday 10th December 2019


Many Bluebirds stars have not been afforded much game time under the new manager, but one player in particular has proven what a class act he has been behind the scenes so far

Sean Morrison has been perhaps the first name on Cardiff City's team sheet down the years.

Neil Warnock's captain, first choice centre-back even ahead of Bruno Manga, Sol Bamba and Aden Flint.

His importance to Warnock was even underlined when the former Bluebirds boss rushed him back from his horrendous burst appendix and into the starting lineup against Watford, a game which they lost 5-1 and in doing so began a terrible run of form which eventually consigned them to relegation.

Yet suddenly, for the first time in his career, Morrison finds himself out of favour and having to kick his heels in frustration on the bench as the Flint-Nelson pairing is given its run.

For new boss Neil Harris, however, Morrison remains as invaluable off the field as he did to Warnock on it.

Harris has admitted that it has been difficult to keep morale high when it comes to the wider group, with many yet to have a look-in under the new manager, but Morrison, who has played just four minutes under the new manager, has been key to ensuring the boat has not been rocked.

Given Morrison's standing within the club and the credit he has in the bank owing to his five years of stellar service, many would forgive him for venting his frustrations.

But his reaction, according to Harris, has been first class and it shows the responsibility he shoulders runs far deeper than when he simply crosses the whitewash.

"Sean Morrison has been outstanding and a leader in my first few weeks in charge," Harris said. "He wants to see players do well even though he wants to be in the team.

"By his own admission, a few years ago he would have been quite a frustrated man, because he wants to play.

"Since he came in all those years ago, he’s always been someone who has played regularly throughout his career.

"It’s probably the first time at a club he’s found himself out of the side. With the experience he has got and leadership qualities he possesses, he will look at it as an opportunity to refocus himself, re-energise himself and go again.

"He’s been brilliant for me behind the scenes as well as on the training ground and I know he wants to play."

Harris speaks frequently with Morrison, trying to canvass opinion about the feeling within the group and ensure there is no disharmony.

The manager says that how Morrison has carried himself while not being in the side is a mark of the man himself.

The centre-back has endeavoured to eke the best out of all the players, in and out of the matchday squads, and has proven a real driving force behind the scenes.

Harris was keen to reiterate just how much he values Morrison not only as a leader within the squad, but as a "quality centre half".

The incumbents, Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson, are striking up quite a solid partnership at the back and Morrison and, of course, the returning Sol Bamba know they have to wait their turn before they are called upon.



Should the toil of the Championship take its toll on one of Flint or Nelson when we reach crunch point in the New Year, the boost provided by having the likes of Bamba and Morrison in wait will be huge.

They have been there, done that and have all the T-shirts, so their remit stretches far wider than most and Harris knows the invaluable role they have to play on the training pitch, in the dressing room and, when the time comes, on the pitch.

"If your leaders are leading in the right manner, everybody follows," Harris concluded.

I remember the clamour on here saying to replace him as he’s not captain material etc. I Stuck by him then and now.

Great player and a great captain/leader for us. I’m hoping he gets back into the team as I think we’ll be better with him.

i'd still have morrison over flint even though Flint was my MOTM v barnsley.

i'd still have morrison over flint even though Flint was my MOTM v barnsley.

Exactly.

That was 1 of the major mistakes when Morrison was rushed back in the premership. Warnock had only come back from the funeral and his mind could not have been right to pick Morrison. It was a strange decision for most fans as we had previously won games.

That was 1 of the major mistakes when Morrison was rushed back in the premership. Warnock had only come back from the funeral and his mind could not have been right to pick Morrison. It was a strange decision for most fans as we had previously won games.

I suppose he could have played a left back at right back, or Bruno right back and tried Cunningham at CB.
personally id have gone with Mozza like NW did, after all he was suppose to be on the bench anyway and was captain.
not sure any of the options were clearly better ,certainly not clear enough to be seen as strange or a major mistake..

I remember the clamour on here saying to replace him as he’s not captain material etc. I Stuck by him then and now.

Great player and a great captain/leader for us. I’m hoping he gets back into the team as I think we’ll be better with him.

I like Sean , but it might be a bit of a wait . played through injury when with hindsight might have been better for him not to, bit like James Chester at Villa..

That was 1 of the major mistakes when Morrison was rushed back in the premership. Warnock had only come back from the funeral and his mind could not have been right to pick Morrison. It was a strange decision for most fans as we had previously won games.

I suppose he could have played a left back at right back, or Bruno right back and tried Cunningham at CB.
personally id have gone with Mozza like NW did, after all he was suppose to be on the bench anyway and was captain.
not sure any of the options were clearly better ,certainly not clear enough to be seen as strange or a major mistake..

We lost 1-5 and looking at the message board no one could understand why we played manga, bamba and just fit Morrison. On the pitch Morrison had his worse game and should never had played.

That was 1 of the major mistakes when Morrison was rushed back in the premership. Warnock had only come back from the funeral and his mind could not have been right to pick Morrison. It was a strange decision for most fans as we had previously won games.

I suppose he could have played a left back at right back, or Bruno right back and tried Cunningham at CB.
personally id have gone with Mozza like NW did, after all he was suppose to be on the bench anyway and was captain.
not sure any of the options were clearly better ,certainly not clear enough to be seen as strange or a major mistake..

We lost 1-5 and looking at the message board no one could understand why we played manga, bamba and just fit Morrison. On the pitch Morrison had his worse game and should never had played.

Morrison was picked on the bench, Peltier fell ill so the choices the manager had were pretty much as above.. I know we got tanked and then as normal there must be a scapegoat..it can never be circumstances.. had he gone with any other option either NW should have picked Mozza or someone else would have been the target...
we were flaming awful on the night mate... it wasn't 2 nil and 2 clear mozza mistakes it was 5 bloody goals..
had his comeback been a week later same would be said. or 2 weeks later.. we either win or someones to blame.

I remember the clamour on here saying to replace him as he’s not captain material etc. I Stuck by him then and now.

Great player and a great captain/leader for us. I’m hoping he gets back into the team as I think we’ll be better with him.

I like Sean , but it might be a bit of a wait . played through injury when with hindsight might have been better for him not to, bit like James Chester at Villa..

Yeah, I agree he may well have to wait his chance but for me he’s a better all round player than Flint.

I remember the clamour on here saying to replace him as he’s not captain material etc. I Stuck by him then and now.

Great player and a great captain/leader for us. I’m hoping he gets back into the team as I think we’ll be better with him.

I like Sean , but it might be a bit of a wait . played through injury when with hindsight might have been better for him not to, bit like James Chester at Villa..

Yeah, I agree he may well have to wait his chance but for me he’s a better all round player than Flint.

been a good servant.. and has gone over and above a couple of times only to get it in the neck for his efforts.

Personally start him with Nelson

Well based upon tonight's performances he should start with Nelson

Having seen our defence the last few games I'm.not sure if nelson and flint are gelling and are on the same page
I like nelson quite a bit I think hes what we have needed in defence.
Morrison taking a break could be somthing that's been needed for a while now and hopfully he comes back refreshed along side nelson.

Flint has his positives but I agree with most he goes AWOL and kind keep his position