Millwall One To Watch: Steve Morison

Cardiff City return to the CCS for this weekend`s match looking to end a run of back-to-back defeats, while the visitors Millwall would love to snatch a victory that would see the Lions overtake us in the early Championship table. The newly promoted outfit have been somewhat of a surprise package and Kenny Jackett`s men look to be a match for any side in the division, despite a 6-1 humiliation at home to Watford.

A look through the Millwall side reveals few star names. Instead they rely on players performing their duties effectively and consistently and their promotion winning confidence has carried over into this term. A 4-0 victory over Hull City must be a highlight, whilst defeating Middlesbrough 2-1 is also a great achievement.

In Morison, Harris and Lisbie - the Lions have a mixture of experience, power and pace and they will cause problems in this division. Ex-Bluebird David Forde features between the sticks while players such as Tamika Mkandawire, Darren Ward and Alan Dunne are all solid Championship players with talent. A highly impressive player for Millwall is defensive minded midfielder Liam Trotter, reportedly a former transfer target for the Bluebirds. He will be an important figure, looking to break up play and launch counter attacks - he also scored in three consecutive appearances recently and his late runs from midfield must be closely watched.

However, the undoubted rising star of the Millwall team is Wales new boy Steve Morison who has been a revelation since being plucked from the relative obscurity of Stevenage Borough just last year. From non-league to International in the space of 12 months is a superb achievement and he looks set to pose problems for the likes of Gyepes and Hudson on Saturday. He boasts an impressive scoring record of a goal in every 2 appearances for Millwall (24 from 50).

Morison is one of those annoying opposition players who is strong in all areas. He has pace, power and a great deal of determination while he also reads the game well and often pops up to score valuable goals. In some respects he is like Jay Bothroyd (good both aerially and on the ground) but what Morison lacks in skill and class, he makes up for with a grit and all-action attitude.

Morison already has 6 goals so far this season, and the Bluebirds will do well to prevent him adding to that tally. We know we have the firepower to outscore Millwall at home, but we have to prevent them taking the lead and denying us space. The goal threat, and physical presence of Morison will be a key decider in the game and we have to starve the former Northampton Town man of chances, possession and opportunities to attack.

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