Manager comments as City beaten at Bournemouth

Last updated : 31 December 2021 By BBC Sport

Cardiff boss Steve Morison had strong criticism for midfielders Leandro Bacuna and Isaak Davies after his side were beaten 3-0 at Bournemouth.

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Bacuna was sent off in first half injury time for a horrendous lunge from behind on Philip Billing.

Davies, who came on at half time, was taken off by Morison 30 minutes later.

Morison said Bacuna deserved fan criticism as he "let his team-mates down," and described Davies' display as "more a hindrance than a help".

Cardiff are now just three points outside the Championship relegation zone after the defeat and Morison did not sugar coat his words when asked about Bacuna's red card.

"I haven't watched it back; live I thought it was going to be a sending off," he said.

"He held his hands up as soon as we got in the dressing room. We need everyone to get results and if you don't have everyone, it becomes very difficult."

Morison added that he understood the frustration of Cardiff fans who felt the reckless challenge cost the Bluebirds the chance of earning a point.

"I would agree with them... the game went away from us from that moment, it was a bad tackle," he said.

Bournemouth boss Scott Parker said the challenge could have ended Billing's career.

"I'm thankful Phil is not seriously injured in that," said Parker.

"I thought the referee was superb in how quickly he defused the situation really in terms of he was right on the scene, showed the red card and just defused it a little bit because it was a terrible tackle… it could've been a real career-ender really.

 

"I am satisfied. It was a good performance all-round. The first goal settled the players and the crowd. Once the boy got sent-off it was about being professional.

 

"The second goal was key. It was lovely play, a lovely assist from Phil and a nice finish from Dom. He has laser-vision in those situations."

Cardiff boss Morison was also critical of 20-year old substitute Davies, when asked by BBC Sport Wales why he had substituted the winger, who did not appear to be injured.

"He wasn't good enough. It's not sending a message, he just wasn't good enough," he said.

"If you come on, I bring you on to change a game, to help us and he was more a hindrance than he was a help.

"So we made the change. It's not nice, it is not something I wanted to do, but I needed to try and do something to stem their flow.

"It's harsh, people will say I only did it because he's a young lad, but ultimately I did it because he wasn't good enough in that moment."