Morrison: Bounce again from the Pelican defeat and rebuild Cardiff

Many are satisfied that the EFL Supervisor of the Month award is a poisoned chalice.

If Steve Morrison did not imagine in curses earlier than, the Cardiff boss might be nice now, having came upon he’ll take the trophy round 48 hours after the historic 4-0 residence loss by arch-rival Swansea.

Thankfully, he takes every little thing in a very good spirit.

“It was a bit surreal really,” he says. Sky Sports activities. “Receiving the e-mail on Monday after the Swansea recreation was a bit unusual.

“But it surely was March, which we have been wonderful at. So clearly I am actually completely happy and proud.”

It wasn’t simply the character of the defeat that was so tough for Morrison, Cardiff and their followers. It was additionally the truth that the consequence – remarkably – determined the primary league double within the 110-year historical past of a South Wales recreation.

Morrison wasn’t on the membership for lengthy, however he took it lengthy sufficient to grasp the size of what occurred.

“It was a horrible weekend for everybody,” he continues. “We all know it was a tough consequence, particularly for the followers. We all know they are going to always remember it. It was a poor efficiency and a foul shedding document, however it’s what it’s.

“We all know it wasn’t adequate, we all know it hurts, however we needed to take care of it. We walked in on Monday morning, dusted ourselves off and bought again to work. Now we’ve got to make it proper. We will not cease specializing in being the perfect as a result of we We misplaced the derby.

“We’d like to ensure the match was a one-time efficiency from us. It was a disgrace, we simply must preserve working the best way we have been working and do what we have been doing, as a result of even that match was going properly, that is why I am nonetheless sitting right here.”

“Now we simply must attempt to end the season as greatest we are able to.”

They considerably started to right it the next weekend, bouncing again for a win over Studying. The three factors they bought there mathematically ensured their survival within the championship this season.

It was a promising begin within the managerial life for Morrison, who was promoted from the under-23 on a short lived foundation when Mick McCarthy was fired in October. He was then set till the tip of the season in November, earlier than extending his contract till the summer time of 2023 final month.

He has already made an actual influence by way of hiring, taking 5 mortgage signings in January which all someway confirmed up in victory over the Royals on the weekend.

Morrison is hoping there shall be extra room to make his mark this summer time to get the membership again to the place he feels it must be, on a extra sustainable foundation.

“There’s lots of change that should occur,” he says. “Issues are going properly although. I hope it is an thrilling summer time and I hope to be part of it. As soon as the season is over, we’re wanting ahead to pre-season subsequent 12 months, and going once more.”

“It’s a large soccer membership and we have to do so much higher than what we did this 12 months. It begins with us as workers and in addition within the recruitment we do in the summertime. We need to construct to be the perfect model of ourselves subsequent season, and try as greatest we are able to.

“If we could be constant, and preserve the factors steadiness we have had since I have been right here, we could be in good condition subsequent 12 months.”

At simply 38 years outdated, Morrison is creating himself in his first managerial function.

He is aware of the model he needs to implement, however he already understands that typically you need to work inside the limits of your assets.

“Philosophy is a troublesome one as a result of in the event you keep it up and also you’re actually, actually cussed, typically it’d come again to chew you,” he says. “You need to be versatile and adaptable, and have the flexibility to tweak your concepts if you have to.

“I need us to be good with the ball, have lots of power, be actually athletic, quick and powerful. It isn’t a lot totally different from what each different coach needs. I need to have a gaggle of younger, hungry gamers that I could be actually pleased with after I stand on the seam.

“We had to slot in and be extra pragmatic than I had hoped. We needed to counterattack and be persistent with our kind, but it surely labored for us – the one time it did not actually work was in opposition to Swansea. Outdoors it was actually good, hopefully With staffing and time we are able to develop that and add some issues that we won’t presently do.

“You discovered so much, and also you attempt to get pleasure from it as a lot as you’ll be able to. However the reality is that you just solely get pleasure from it if you win.

“Clearly regardless of it feels good seeing all of the modifications you have made and the plans you have put collectively, and seeing the gamers you have introduced in doing properly. There are lots of belongings you love in regards to the job, and I need him to maintain him going for so long as attainable.”

This situation of time is one which comes up time and again with managers. Everybody needs an opportunity to implement their concepts, however house owners nowadays hardly ever have the endurance to place up with them.

Morrison, who arrived within the Premier League as a participant, hopes to do the identical for Cardiff someday – if solely given that he shall be given time in his place to realize what he feels he can do.

“The membership must be extra sustainable, extra manageable with a extra constant group,” he says. “We’d like a group that’s extra balanced by way of age and athleticism. If we are able to do this, it might change our fortunes.”

“However the sky is the restrict. There isn’t any cause so that you can set a purpose on one thing. I simply need to be the perfect I could be day-after-day and see the place it takes me.

“If it leads Cardiff to the Premier League, that is nice, as a result of it means I did one thing proper and meaning I have been right here for some time – and that could possibly be a problem with the administration.

“I might prefer to have the time to have the ability to do what I might love to do right here.”