Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, August 10.
Kompany: We must respect Cardiff's wish
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has said they "have to respect" clubs' decisions not to sell their assets after it was confirmed Cardiff rejected a bid from their Championship rivals for Isaak Davies.
On Tuesday it emerged that Burnley had tabled a bid worth £2.5million for the Wales youth international, who has missed the entirety of pre-season due to a knee injury.
READ MORE: Cardiff City's centre-back situation takes a twist as Rangers transfer details revealed
"Yeah, they made an offer," Morison said of Burnley. "It's got rejected as he's not for sale. Unless a player comes to me and tells me he doesn't want to be here and he wants to leave, then we'll look at the situation.
"But as far as I'm concerned we are not selling our young players for anything.
And, when pressed on Wednesday about the Clarets' pursuit of Davies, Kompany said: "Yeah (it is true). The problem is if we go through the scouting list it is quite expensive but not every deal is feasible. There are players where you have to respect the fact the club doesn't want to let him go. We are looking for the smart opportunities and not necessarily to make someone's summer!"
Rangers' transfer fee for Simpson explained
Jack Simpson has joined to add competition and clearly liked where the manager saw him fitting into the side, otherwise he wouldn't have come.
It's another player in the mix, meaning Curtis Nelson, Mark McGuinness, Oliver Denham et all will be looking a little more over their shoulders. However, from the sounds of it, Simpson will need to get some fitness into his legs before he becomes a real contender to start.
"We brought him in. He hasn't played in pre-season so we will have to work him into it slowly. He has played one 45 minutes in the whole of pre-season," Morison said of Simpson after the Pompey loss.
"He adds that natural left-sided balance. Every club wants a left-sided centre-half and he is one we have been working on and we are really pleased he wanted to join us. He has got great pedigree, he had a great start to his career at Bournemouth, come through in an Eddie Howe team, then got his move to Rangers and it hasn't quite worked out.
"He is 25, at a great age and wants to be here. Hopefully we can get the best out of him."
While Cardiff signed Simpson on what was described as an 'undisclosed fee' from Rangers, when asked if there was a transfer fee paid to land the player, Morison replied: "No. There are contingencies if he does well."
Two signings announced
The Bluebirds have added two players to their youth ranks.
WalesOnline revealed last week that the Bluebirds were lining up a deal for former Blackpool and Fulham man Cameron Antwi.
The 20-year-old, who rose through Fulham's youth ranks before moving north in 2019, saw his contract run down at Blackpool at the end of last season, ending his time with the Seasiders with just one Carabao Cup appearance against Middlesbrough and an EFL Trophy outing against Leeds United under-23s to his name.
He spent the first half of last season at AFC Telford on loan before being recalled by Blackpool to play in their development side at the back end of the campaign.
Seen as an archetypal central midfielder, who can play deeper if needs must, Antwi has quietly impressed with the Bluebirds throughout the summer trial period. His goal, Cardiff's first, in their 10-1 win over Bromley was certainly eye-catching, rifling home a half-volley from the edge of the area to level the scores.
On joining the club on a one-year deal, Antwi said: "I enjoyed my trial with the team, getting used to the training ground and meeting the boys. Everyone welcomed me really well, and when they offered me the contract it was a no-brainer for me.
"Now that I've joined permanently, I just want to get my head down and work hard. Darren Purse and Matthew Bloxham have been really good with me, and I feel like I've known them for years! I'm looking forward to the first game of the season now, following a good pre-season."
Less is known about the second addition, Raheem Conte, who was previously attached to QPR. The 19-year-old midfielder, who has also penned a one-year deal, is of dual nationality and can represent both England and Portugal. He previously played for Brentford earlier in his career.
"The goal for me is to play well for the U21 side and look towards the first team, which I think is definitely possible at this club given the platform they've given to other young players," he said.
"I'm an expressive player who likes to take the ball up the pitch. When I'm on the ball I like to play freely, so I'm looking forward to getting involved this season."
Under-21s boss Darren Purse said: "We've had a lot of trialists in over the summer months, with lads from Category 1 & 2 academies, all trying to earn their place at Cardiff City.
"These two players really stood out, and it was a bit of a no-brainer to sign them up. They bring a little bit of experience with U21 football and senior football in Cameron's case, and it's an opportunity for the boys to show that they can impress at this level and maybe even break through to the first team.
"We've got a very young U21 side currently, and these signings add good experience and depth, also bringing good quality to the group. They're excellent young men and I'd like to welcome them both to the club."
Zimba on target in Newport win over Luton
Cardiff City striker Chanka Zimba played a crucial role in helping Newport County beat Luton Town 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
The on-loan forward netted the Gwent club's second goal and it was his rebounded shot which was tapped home by James Waite, a former Bluebirds player, of course, which sealed the victory for James Rowberry's men.
It was Zimba's first start after coming on for two substitute appearances in the Exiles' first two League Two matches and he will hope that first competitive goal for the club is one of many this season as he looks to break into the fold at Cardiff.
“We made changes and have shown the depth of our squad. Those players came in and did magnificently, scoring some great goals,” said assistant Carl Serrant.
“We showed our quality throughout the game, first half we had a bit of difficulty getting to grips with the level that we were playing against. Luton were in the Championship play-offs last season; they made changes but they are that stature of club.
“We are so proud of our players, we have a squad that we believe in and they have given James (Rowberry) a real headache for the games coming up. We’ve got the win and showed our quality with the type of goals that we can score.
“We have got a squad of starters who are sat on the bench, any time we can roll the team around with those that are knocking on the door and really putting pressure on those that have got the shirt to make sure they play at a high level to keep it.
“Those guys have done really well and there were good performances across the board, that puts us in a great position going forward.”
Quite the opposite of what Morison said of his players after their miserable defeat by Luton Town on Tuesday night. You can read that here.
Cowley: Why it was good to get Pack after being 'starved of football'
Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley has waxed lyrical about the signing of Marlon Pack and believes that the disappointing final six months he experienced at Cardiff helped him come back renewed and refreshed.
Pack barely kicked a ball for the Bluebirds in 2022, having been such a regular feature since signing in 2019. He would have been disappointed, given he has been a nailed-on starter everywhere throughout his career, but Cowley said it has served to benefit Pompey.
"It's the first time that happened in his career, because he has played consistently ever since he left Portsmouth. Cheltenham, Bristol City and then Cardiff," Cowley told WalesOnline after the match.
"We thought we were getting him at a good time because it was the first time he had been starved of football. He looks after himself so well, he is right at the front of the running in training. He came off the beach in Mexico and joined us a few days in!
"He is a credit to the family and the city of Portsmouth."
Speaking generally about the signing, the Pompey boss added: "He's been incredible for us. We tried to pull on his heartstrings all summer, because we knew that he had a natural connection with the city and club, having started his career here. I think it was that relationship he has that allowed us to take him, because I know he had so many offers, financially, that were far above ours.
"I think for him, he loves football. He loves the city of Portsmouth and we've been so pleased to have him with us, on and off the pitch, a model professional. He drives intensity and drives standards of players around him."
Bamba: Hazard a tougher opponent than Messi and Ronaldo
Cardiff City fans' favourite Sol Bamba has said that Eden Hazard was a tougher opponent than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Bamba was asked about what his favourite top-flight goal was and he named the first goal he scored in the Premier League, in the 4-1 defeat by Chelsea. When asked who his toughest opponent was, well, it was a player playing in that very game.
"There was a few. I had the chance to play against Ronaldo and Messi, so they are definitely up there. But that game when we lost 4-1, Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick and that was special," Bamba said on Sky Sports News on Tuesday morning.
"He was an exceptional player. He still is, unfortunately he is injured, but that day he was on fire. He would have to be up there with the toughest I played against. Him and Olivier Giroud that day were very, very good. So Eden Hazard was the toughest I played against."
Speaking about that time with Cardiff, though, Bamba had only fond memories.
"That Cardiff group was special," he added. "I spent five years there, we all still talk to each other and I think it's rare to have that in a dressing room. The gaffer, Warnock, mentioned that before. He said in 20 years' time we will still be talking to each other and I think that's the case.
"It's no secret, when you've got a good dressing room, most of the time you have success and that's what we had. My whole time in Cardiff, especially when we were in the Prem and the year we went up from the Championship, it was special."
In the fallout from the Pompey defeat, Bamba believes that bouncing back against Birmingham City this weekend will be of the utmost importance.
"Cardiff made a lot of changes last night and that will reflect on the result," he said of the cup exit. "A lot of players played together for the first time. It's unfortunate they lost the game, but what will be the most important thing for them is the league.
"They need to regroup and be ready for Saturday. They have a big game at home against Birmingham, that'll be a big game for them.
"The priority is the league and the Championship is so open this year. Most of the Championship clubs will be focussing on the league. A lot of teams fancy their chances. It's about being there or thereabouts by Christmas. If you are there then you can put a good run of games together and you'll have a chance."
Warnock: Cardiff must rebuild under Morison
Neil Warnock has opened up on transitioning out of the game and says he always still looks out for the Bluebirds' results.
Promoting his one-man show, ' Are you with me? ' which will be at St David's Hall in Cardiff on September 6, the old Cardiff boss said: "It's not easy, I can't say that I enjoy it. I enjoy watching games where there's something at stake, but I couldn't just watch a game of football now if I'm honest. I've enjoyed the Premiership battle between Man City and Liverpool, and keeping an eye on my old club Middlesbrough, who missed out on the play-offs on the final day.
"Obviously, I always look out for Cardiff too. They’re going to have to be rebuild now with Steve Morison. It’s strange really – when you're in football, you're in it 24 hours a day and you watch every game. Whereas now, if there’s a good programme with David Attenborough, I'd watch that instead."
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