By Adam Cleary
Cardiff City face Stoke City at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight and boss Steve Morison admits his side have come a long way since they faced Stoke earlier on in the season.
The reverse fixture at the end of October was Morison’s first game as interim manager and his side found themselves 3-0 down just after half time as they looked to end an eight game losing streak.
“We went 2-0 down and we had to have a good conversation at half time,” admits Morison.
“Then we came back out and 30 seconds later we were 3-0 down. I was standing there wanting the ground to swallow me up to take me out of it.”
However, an inspired change from Morison – when he sent on srtriker Mark Harris for Kieron Evans – saw his side make a late comeback and come away from the Bet 365 Stadium with a point after a 3-3 draw.
“We made a change, it worked and the next thing we knew it was 3-3” added Morison.
“It was a whirlwind of a game and it felt amazing. That was the feeling I wanted, although you only really enjoy it when you win. There was elation in the dressing room afterwards.
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“I told the lads that is what they can do. That’s the level of performance in the last 40 that you have to have to get results.”
Since that afternoon at the end of October a lot has changed for Cardiff City and their manager. Morison has been appointed as Cardiff’s permanent manager and has taken the club away from the relegation zone with 32 points from his 23 games in charge.
“We showed great character to come back from 3-0 down away to Stoke and we’ve come a long way since then. I’d like to think we’ve got a more consistent level of performance” added Morison.
“We are miles away from where we were then. We are 17th on 43 points, we have a different team, different squad, we haven’t got Kieffer Moore and it’s a different place. I’ve got a permanent job now, or as permanent as it can be in football.
“We’ve come a long way and it’s been a positive start to the job for me. We’ve got to where we are in the league and although we aren’t mathematically safe we’re in a far better position than where we were.”
Morison admits improving the culture at the club and has played an important role in Cardiff’s upturn in form.
I feel like Steve Morrison will make a smooth transition with the teams transfers this summer
A steady passionate no-nonense pair of hands who will build a robust completive side for BlueBirds fans to enjoy#CCFC
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“We tried to make it a nicer and better place for everyone to work. That’s the reason we’ve got much better performances on the pitch and there is a lot more togetherness at the club.
“We were worlds apart from Stoke last time we played them but now they are only three points above us in 15th.
“Hopefully we can do better than a 3-3 draw this time.”