Some of the stories making the Bluebirds news on Sunday August 7
Morison ready to shake up team
Cardiff City boss Steve Morison is likely to field an entire new-look team for Tuesday night's Carabao Cup clash with Portsmouth.
The Bluebirds will be looking to bounce back from a desperately disappointing showing at Reading with Cardiff City Stadium clashes this week first with Pompey, then Birmingham in the league.
READ MORE: Gareth Bale rolls back the years with wonder goal
Having fought with tenacity and resolve during the opening day win over Norwich, Morison's men were strangely lacklustre and seeming to lack in energy during the 2-1 defeat at Reading. Morison apologised to more than 2,00 Cardiff fans who travelled to Berkshire full of hope to roar on their team and warned results like Saturday's will happen if 'we're not at it.'
"We just didn't turn up. It's disappointing because of how well we did last week and how poor we were today," Morison said of the match. "It's just the league. You drop your levels and you lose games of football."
Despite having next to no money to spend in the transfer window, and getting rid of a glut of unwanted senior players, Morison's shrewd dealing means he still has the luxury of being able to put out a strong-looking shadow side in the cup. Many of the players he names will be looking to really put their hand up for selection in the more important Championship clash with Birmingham four days on.
Morison could field a new look back four of Vontae Campbell, Mark McGuinness, Oliver Denham and Joel Bagan, with new goalkeeper Jak Alnwich replacing first choice No.1 Ryan Allsop.
Club skipper Joe Ralls, yet to start a game this season, could come into the midfield, with youngsters Tom Sang and Eli King also figuring next to him.
Further forward there could be really exciting changes with new striker Kion Etete making his first start. The same could happen with Aston Villa lonee Jaden Philogene and also tricky wide man Ollie Tanner.
Philogene came on during the defeat to Reading, but Cardiff were so far off the pace they barely got the ball to his feet. Tanner impressed in pre-season. The two wide men clearly have talent and could help give the Bluebirds extra creativity further forward that has been missing thus far.
Mark Harris and Gavin Whyte are further options, while Morison continues to monitor the fitness of hugely gifted Cardiff Academy aces Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies. He doesn't want to rush those two injured youngsters back, however, knowing how crucial they were to Bluebirds fortunes last season and also will be this campaign.
Ince reveals why Nelson wasn't sent-off
Reading boss Paul Ince has revealed why Cardiff defender Curtis Nelson wasn't sent off during Saturday's clash.
Referee Darren England gave the Bluebirds centre-back a yellow card when he bundled over Tom Ince just as he was about to equalise Callum O'Dowda's early Cardiff opener.
Furious Reading players felt the foul merited a red card, with Ince about to fire into an open goal. Nelson stayed on the pitch, but Reading scored from the resultant spot kick.
Paul Ince said he spoke to the referee afterwards and revealed: "The referee said when Tom went round the keeper, he was too wide to shoot. He didn't think he was going to shoot straight away. I said, if he's going to go round the goalkeeper, he's not going to juggle it for five minutes, is he?
"The ref said he thought it was too wide, which is absolute madness because as he has gone around the keeper, Nelson has pulled him back. It's a blatant, blatant red. There are no ifs or buts about it. There are no interpretations - it's crystal clear.
"It's a red card, he made a mistake. I'd rather he said I got it wrong. If I mess up, I do that. Referees need to be made accountable. If they make a bad decision, we can deal with that, but just accept it and we move on."
Bale scores wonder goal
Gareth Bale scored what is being dubbed a 'wonder goal' overnight as his new club LAFC beat Real Salt Lake 4-1 in the MLS.
Wales and Major League Soccer each tweeted about the moment, which saw the Welsh captain run from his own half before rounding off with a fine finish.
Lots of question marks are being raised by fans about the standard of defending in American football, but Bale's effort was reminiscent of similar solo stunners previously netted for Wales, Real Madrid and Tottenham.
On this occasion he started his run from inside his own half, cut inside two defenders from wide out and beat goalkeeper Zac MacMath with a left-footed finish.
Bale appeared on the brink of joining the Bluebirds before his call to move to the United States. Cardiff were disappointed by his decision, having drawn up a contract for the Wales captain with terms having been agreed.
Bale did not start the match overnight in America, but his impact as a substitute helped LAFC to their resounding win as they moved six points clear at the top of the Western Conference.
READ NEXT:
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman revealed how close Bluebirds were to signing Gareth Bale
Vincent Tan still hopes Gareth Bale will join Cardiff City one day
Reading 2-1 Cardiff City: Royals come from behind to hand Bluebirds first defeat of the season
