WARNOCK BULLY BOYS MUSCLE IN ON PROMOTION

SEAN MORRISON believes size matters when it comes to promotion and some of Cardiff City’s Championship rivals are feeling inadequate. The Bluebirds skipper used his 6ft 3in frame to clamber all over Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and head the only goal of a game shaped by the home team’s power and physicality. Morrison, who has scored three goals in his past four matches and helped Cardiff restrict the opposition to just two in the same period, is the embodiment of his team’s domineering style that has lifted them back into the top two. They and their manager, Neil Warnock, were accused of overdoing the physical stuff against Manchester City in the FA Cup, but here they simply had to muscle up fair and square to overcome Boro — a chastening experience for boss Tony Pulis. ‘Being able to outmuscle teams is one of our biggest strengths as we have a big, physical bunch of players and some good footballers,’ said Morrison. ‘We 100 per cent take pride in being a physical side. I don’t think many teams want to play us. Teams line up against us and see the size and physicality we have and it’s quite daunting.’ Cardiff’s ambition of a return to the Premier League is based on the broad shoulders of centre backs Morrison and Sol Bamba, plus defender Bruno Manga, striker Kenneth Zohore, and midfielders Marko Grujic and Callum Paterson, who are all well over six foot. It is the kind of aerial power and show-us-your-guns armoury that must have had Pulis wistful for his Stoke City days, although it would be lazy to label Cardiff as one-dimensional since much of their game goes through the skilful trio of Junior Hoilett, Joe Ralls and new loan signing Armand Traore. But Pulis, whose team are slipping back from the play-offs after just one win in four matches, admitted they were bullied before they were beaten. He said: ‘Cardiff really squeezed the life out of us at times. They’ve got five or six players who are over 6ft 3in, never mind ones over 6ft. Cardiff are second for a reason. They’ve got an identity and I like watching teams with an identity. Whether you agree with it, or like watching it, that’s up to you.’ Morrison added: ‘It’s a great compliment for him to say that and it shows the quality we have. It’s something he’s done in the Premier League for years.’