THAT’S MOR LIKE IT

Caretaker manager Morison masterminds a magnificent second-half comeback to underline his job credentials

Brown Fletcher

SCORING sub Mark Harris has hailed Cardiff interim manager Steve Morison for masterminding the mother of all comebacks.

It could turn out to be the perfect CV for the Under-23s coach if he has any ambition to make the transition to the first team a permanent one following Mick McCarthy’s sacking

Morison (left) must have wondered what on earth was happening as Stoke took a three-goal lead thanks to a Steven Fletcher double and Jacob Brown’s header.

But five crazy minutes in the second half – the 66th to the 71st – turned the match on its head as Cardiff hit back with the goals from Rubin Colwill, Harris (scoring, below) and Kieffer Moore.

Harris said: “Steve’s been brilliant. I worked with him a lot with the Under-23s and he was brilliant for me. He has shown us how he wants us to play and we are just trying to show that on the pitch; maybe more playing, more direct.

“Everyone could see what he is trying to do. He’s been brilliant this week and hopefully it continues. We know we haven’t been good enough the last few games but we won’t throw the towel in, no chance of that.”

A draw ended the Bluebirds’ eightmatch losing streak and extended

Stoke City’s winless run to four in the Championship.

Harris added: “When we were 3-0 down I can imagine everyone would have written us off and expected more Stoke goals. But with the spirit we have in the dressing room, we are not going to give up. There is no way.”

Rescuing a point so dramatically turned the focus on Stoke, who appear to have developed a soft underbelly in the last couple of weeks.

Manager Michael O’Neill this week celebrates two years in charge by preparing to throw his arm round his confidence-shot players.

He dismissed any suggestions he is facing the biggest challenge of his tenure despite the boos which rang out round the bet365 Stadium at the final whistle on Saturday.

O’Neill, whose team lie ninth, two points off the play-off spots, said: “No, the most challenging period was when I came in and we were bottom of the League. We are in a healthy position in the League but we have thrown away points and our position could look a lot better. It has happened over a four-game period.

“Today they looked fragile and it’s all about trying to help the team.”

Stoke this week face two away games in quick succession (Blackpool on Wednesday and Luton on Saturday) and O’Neill added: “I look at the results, fully aware of where we are in the League, and aware that the supporters are disappointed at points thrown away.

“But hopefully they see we are doing a lot of good things. I have no doubt they will stick with us.”