‘My biggest challenge will be changing people’s minds’
MORISON GETS CLUB READY FOR CHANGE
CARDIFF City manager Steve Morison has said his biggest challenge this season is changing the mindset of people who have become accustomed to a certain way of thinking about the Bluebirds.
Morison was beaming with excitement on his first press duties of the season, speaking about a chaotic summer which has led to their season opener against Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium this weekend.
The Bluebirds are expecting a bumper crowd to watch a new-look Cardiff side take on the Canaries this weekend, a team which will resemble nothing close to one which took the field against Barnsley in the curtain-raiser last term.
The style of football has changed drastically, too, and Morison is happy with the progress. As ever with these things, though, they take time and they are unlikely to be the finished article when the first ball is kicked at 3pm this Saturday.
“That’s going to be the biggest challenge; changing the mindset of the people outside of our building,” Morison said.
“We know exactly what we want from a coaching staff and from a playing point of view.
“Our biggest challenge is changing everyone’s mindset, getting them to understand that football is changing, the game is changing, we need to change with that. Otherwise you get left behind.
“I’d like to think you’re going to see a more progressive style, one with longevity which can be improved on and added to.
“It’ll be a continuous work-inprogress, but hopefully it will lead to results on the pitch.”
While managers like Neil Harris had perhaps tried to change the style with the players in the building, it hasn’t quite worked out for one reason or another and they have had to revert to type to grind out results.
This season, though, it’s a clean slate and Morison has been afforded the change to clear the decks and shape this team to his own vision.
“I’ve been the luckiest of them all (manager) over the last two years,” he added. “I had a simple task of just getting safe when I took over, that was the plan.
“We did that, the last eight games, people were getting frustrated because we were losing a game or whatnot, but we had an opportunity to try stuff and test a few players like Ollie Denham and Eli King in a stress-free environment.
“I’ve been lucky enough to change
it, everyone else (other managers) has talked about changing it, but I’ve had the ability to.
“No disrespect to the people who were here previously, but you look at where the team was a year ago and there will possibly be only two players who were year on the pitch on Saturday.
“I’ve had the ability to do it because all of those players were out of contract.
“The board gave me the backing to build a more sustainable and fit-for-purpose squad. “If it’s me or someone else, it’s a lot easier to work to a mould. It’s happened at a good time, because the league this year is one of those ones, there will be a couple who stand out, but it’s a really even league this year.”
Cardiff fans, as supporters will be up and down the Championship,
are buzzing with excitement and anticipation ahead of the new campaign.
And Morison’s message to them ahead of the opening weekend is crystal clear: “Be patient, but be on the edge of your seat as well.”