Bu Paul Jones
Steve Morison appears to be gambling his future on provoking a response from his Cardiff City players after he accused them of lacking the stomach for a fight.
The Bluebirds manager – who has been criticised by former stars in recent weeks for laying into individual players – poured scorn on his entire squad for what he saw as character failings in their 3-2 defeat at Bristol City.
Morison was appointed Cardiff’s permanent boss in November, but only until the end of the season and has won just two of 10 matches since.
The Severnside defeat leaves Cardiff as they were – four points above the drop zone, but only because Reading and Peterborough both lost for the third successive game.
Morison’s men, though, are losing touch with the clutch of mid-table teams above them and there is now a six-point gap between themselves and Hull, who are one place above them.
HIGHLIGHTS | BRISTOL CITY vs CARDIFF CITY https://t.co/WP5T1zRUtW
— Cardiff City Forum (@CardiffCityChat) January 23, 2022
It looks like three from Cardiff, Reading, Peterborough, Derby and Barnsley will go down and unless there is an upturn in Cardiff’s form, Morison will be gone at the end of the campaign, if not before.
“The second half was the worst 45 minutes I have had watching from the touchline,” blasted Morison.
“We were out-fought and out-battled, which frustrated and hurt me. They wanted it more.
“In the first half hour, we did well and got a goal from the sort of thing we have been working at on the training ground all week. Tommy Doyle has quickly shown his quality with the cross and James Collins anticipated it to put us in front.
“Then we hit the self-destruct button within a minute. We ask the players to stay calm and relax on the ball and they weren’t capable of doing it.
“We are a team and we didn’t defend well as a team. We have been through the goals already and there were lots of bits that weren’t good about them.
“We were still in it at half-time and let ourselves down from then on. We have to be better than that.
Have spoken to the club this morning, they say they are “extremely disappointed” by the actions of a minority of fans at Ashton Gate regarding the smashed up toilets. Cardiff have contacted Bristol City to offer to pay for the damage caused #CCFC #Bluebirds #BCFC
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) January 23, 2022
“The players need to do what they did in the first 30 minutes for 90 minutes and take individual responsibility for their performances.
“There won’t be a knee-jerk reaction because up until today we have not been bad. But there is work to do.”
Chris Martin netted a double as Bristol City came from behind to earn the victory at Ashton Gate.
James Collins headed the visitors in front after 31 minutes from a cross by Tommy Doyle, who was gifted possession by a poor clearance from Han-Noah Massengo.
But the lead lasted barely a minute as Andreas Weimann broke through the centre of Cardiff’s defence and when he was challenged the ball broke for Martin to level with a curling shot from 15 yards.
The inspired Martin was on target again after 63 minutes with a perfectly placed left-footed drive from the edge of the box after running onto an Antoine Semenyo pass.
Embarrassing behaviourhttps://t.co/FFwEytdHSo
— Bristol City Live (@bristolcitylive) January 22, 2022
Semenyo was also the provider when Weimann ran onto his pass to drill Bristol City’s third from a narrow angle after 77 minutes, his 13th goal of the season.
Max Watters headed a 90th-minute consolation for Cardiff from a cross by fellow substitute Ryan Wintle, but it was too little, too late.
Morison gave a debut to midfielder Doyle, on loan from Manchester City, and he gave an assured display but Aden Flint and Marlon Pack were uninspired against their former club.
Pearson said: “Chris Martin comes in for some criticism at times, but he is a team player, who is good for us at both ends of the pitch.
“He took his goals really well and he deserved them for the amount of work he puts into games. All our front players caused Cardiff problems.
“There was real pace to our attacks and we looked really dangerous. Antoine is learning and developing his game this season. He must be very tough to play against because he is strong, as well as quick.
Thought of the day for you… 💭
If it wasn’t for points deductions at other clubs, Cardiff would be 5 points from safety in the relegation zone.#CardiffCity
— Ryan Dilks (@RyanDilks1) January 23, 2022
“We had to make two early changes because of injuries to Rob Atkinson and Andy King, but adapted to those setbacks really well. Han-Noah Massengo has made a big error for their first goal.
“But he also responded positively and had a good game. It would be nice if we could see games out a bit better at the end. But other than that, I can’t have any complaints because my players gave everything.
“Our fans have gone home happy and I think they can see that every player is working for the side. We are making progress.”
