Sean Morrison believes Neil Warnock has built a Cardiff City team fit for purpose – a 46-game slog over difficult terrain in all conditions.
It requires a fighting unit with physical resilience and mental strength to finish that journey inside the top two of the Championship, but the Bluebirds captain thinks his squad possess both.
Cardiff are not back to the summit they occupied for so long during the opening weeks of the season, but with Wolves disappearing into the clouds above, Warnock’s team are currently looking a good bet to claim the second automatic promotion slot.
The manager himself may be reticent to outline any target other than reaching the play-offs, but his skipper is more bullish.
Cardiff’s sixth game unbeaten – a 1-0 win at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday – was based on the relentless march of their six six-foot plus brigade of Morrison, Bruno Manga, Sol Bamba, Callum Paterson, Marko Grujic and Kenneth Zohore.
“We have a core of string players who are built to play 45 to 50 games a year so we’re probably the fittest mentally and physically we’ve been all year,” said Morrison whose goal was his third in four matches.
“We just have to keep that going. It’s there for anyone, but we are going to fight until the death and we’re aiming for that second spot.
“I think being able to out-muscle teams is one of our biggest strengths as we have a big physical bunch of players and some good footballers.
“We 100 per cent take pride in being a physical side and I don’t think many teams want to play us.
“Teams line up against us and see the size and physicality we have and it’s quite daunting.
“I’ve been on the other side when I’ve been part of smaller teams and you see players who are willing to throw their bodies on the line and get stuck in and you have doubts. The manager is huge on it.”
Morrison has played in the Premier League with Reading, but insists his current team is better than his former top level side when it comes to yielding nothing.
“I think this is the best defensive unit I’ve been a part of. I’ve played with some great players who have achieved lots in their careers but as a unit, this is the best.
The trust within the back four and goalkeeper is second to none and it’s something we pride ourselves on.”
Tony Pulis – whose Boro team are slipping back from the play-offs after just one win in four matches – admitted they were bullied before they were beaten.
Pulis said: “Cardiff really squeezed the life out of us at times. You look at their team, they’ve got five or six players who are over 6ft 3in, never mind ones over six foot.
“Cardiff are second in the league for a reason. They’ve got an identity, and I like watching teams with an identity. Whether you agree with it, or like watching it, that’s up to you. But I can’t stand watching teams without an identity.”
For Morrison, that was music to his ears and he added: “It’s a great compliment for him to say that and it shows the quality we have.
“It’s something he’s done in the Premier League for many years. He’s well known for having physical, direct teams who bully other sides.”
Pulis claimed Morrison had fouled Boro defender Ben Gibson when he climbed over him to head home Junior Hoilett’s free-kick.
But Morrison felt Gibson had been doing most of the set-piece shoving and holding anyway – and gave his opponent an earful as he lay in the net.
“It wasn’t a foul. I’ve just got up a little bit earlier than him and while I’m up in the air, the lad hasn’t been able to jump.
“He ducked down and I went over the top of him and when you see a picture of it, it probably looks like a foul, but my hands weren’t on him.
“When the goal’s gone in I’ve just celebrated but I didn’t say anything directly to him. I just celebrated then wheeled off with Sol Bamba.”
