IS CARROLL THE MAN MORISON NEEDS UP FRONT?
CARDIFF City boss Steve Morison will this week step up his bid to land two new strikers.
The Bluebirds lacked a cutting edge in the final third in the win over Norwich City and Morison is looking to get one new goal ace on loan and another potentially on a permanent deal.
Various targets have been approached and the Cardiff manager is waiting on responses from those men and their clubs.
Cardiff legend Nathan Blake has claimed the club are closing in on a pay-as-you-play deal for former Liverpool and Newcastle man Andy Carroll.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving West Brom earlier this summer, having previously been with Reading on a short-term deal.
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales after the win over Norwich, Blake said: “My birdies tell me, I heard that there could be a new signing in Andy Carroll as a striker. Pay as you play. That’s what I’m hearing.
“I cant tell you who my source is. It’s a very good source.”
However, the suggestion of a deal being done for Carroll are being downplayed by others.
Meanwhile, Cardiff match-winner Romaine Sawyers has described his first experience of Bluebirds fans as ‘incredible’.
The club’s new playmaker struck the winning goal in the opening-day triumph over Norwich and admits he was bowled over by the Cardiff City Stadium factor.
Cardiff fans and players created great energy in what for many supporters was their best experience watching their team for years.
It left Sawyers telling the club’s official website afterwards: “The atmosphere was incredible.
“Coming off the bus lots of people were there clapping. It helps us give extra fight.
“If we perform like that I’m sure they’ll be happy.
“They can’t expect us to be perfection, but provided we have the right ethos, mentality and are willing to do it, I’m sure they’ll accept that.
“We showed great resilience, proved that without the ball we can be good.”
That resolute attitude came across during the second-half flashpoint when a number of Cardiff players, plus Norwich skipper Grant Hanley, were booked.
“Times like that are going to be a bit frantic, but if we keep our calmness our quality will come through,” added Sawyers. “We won’t be a pushover. The manager has stature, he’s a big guy, and we echoed that in the team.”
■ More Cardiff reaction: pages 44-47