Cardiff City boss Steve Morison makes transfer admission on Aston Villa star ahead of Preston North End clash
The Bluebirds were keen on signing a striker in the recent January window, and Archer was one of several options Cardiff explored
Friday 11th March 2022
Cardiff City boss Steve Morison has admitted he tried to sign Aston Villa's Cameron Archer in the January window, shortly before the forward completed a loan move to Preston North End.
A striker was very much near the top of the Bluebirds' wishlist in the recent window even before the departure of Kieffer Moore, and Morison admits that the 20-year-old, who is now set to line up against the Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, was very much an option on the club's radar.
Archer has since gone on to be a key man for the Lilywhites, netting five goals in 10 games in the Championship since his arrival.
Speaking ahead of City's third clash of the season against Preston, Morison was full of praise for boss Ryan Lowe - and indeed his dealings in the transfer market, admitting that his team made a real attempt to wow Villa into sending Archer to the Welsh capital.
STEVE MORISON:
"Ryan's done great and they've made some good signings," Morison said. "Cameron Archer's a really good signing. Someone we were interested in as well.
"We had a conversation, like we had to do with all the loan players.
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"We had to put presentations together for all of them and we did that for a couple of players at Aston Villa, and they decided to go to other teams."
"That was it. Not really any different to any conversations we've had with other players."
"He decided to go to Preston and that's about it."
However, this clash is likely to be too soon for Curtis Nelson, who continues to work his way back from a calf injury.
"Everyone’s fit." Morison said. "Nelson is back on the grass this week, so it’s too soon for him. But touch wood it’s a clean bill of health. Apart from the long-term injured we’ve got a full squad to pick from."
That will come as a boost to Morison, who insists there is still plenty to play for over the last few weeks of the season, despite his side seemingly looking destined for the comfort of mid-table.
"We’ve not set the players' targets," he added. "We just want to work and get better results. We always talk about performance first and the result will come. We’re doing that with our performances. 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.
"They're a good team. They beat Bournemouth, who are a good team. We beat QPR who are in the play-offs as well.
"My main focus is to try and make sure it doesn't become a testimonial, and that both teams are at it. We give our fans something to cheer about and we go for it."
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