James Morrison reveals what he thinks of Aaron Ramsey ahead of Cardiff City clash, duo had ‘lots of battles’

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Two former Premier League midfielders will go head-to-head as caretaker Championship managers on Saturday afternoon when Aaron Ramsey’s Cardiff City host James Morrison’s West Brom.

Such is the madness of modern football, two former Premier League midfielders will draw swords as caretaker Championship managers this weekend, when Aaron Ramsey’s Bluebirds host James Morrison’s Baggies.

Cardiff City are staring down the barrel of relegation to League One in 23rd and remain one of the favourites to lose out in the Championship relegation fight. Head coach Omer Riza was removed from his role and club legend Ramsey has taken interim charge.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
21	DerbyDerby	44	12	10	22	47	56	-9	46
22	LutonLuton	44	12	10	22	41	64	-23	46
23	CardiffCardiff	44	9	16	19	46	69	-23	43
24	PlymouthPlymouth	44	10	13	21	48	85	-37	43

West Brom, however, had their play-off hopes ended following their defeat at Derby County, which was Tony Mowbray’s last game in charge before his sacking.

Hawthorns icon Morrison will take charge for West Brom’s two remaining clashes, and has revealed what he thinks of opposite number Ramsey, ahead of Saturday’s relegation six-pointer.

• READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey gives clarity on Cardiff City ‘opportunity’ and playing career

James Morrison reveals what he thinks of Aaron Ramsey

Bluebirds legend Robert Earnshaw branded Ramsey’s appointment as “weird”, but the Welshman has made a positive impact with the 1-1 draw against Oxford United in his first game as interim boss.

Ramsey made big demands for the Oxford clash, which were met with a more positive display than their 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United, but it still means Cardiff must beat West Brom to have any chance of surviving in the relegation mini-league.

Championship experts have predicted an “unhelpful” result for Cardiff that would serve them little good in their fight to dodge the dreaded drop.

With “spirits” high despite Cardiff’s precarious position, Ramsey’s opposite number Morrison has revealed his thoughts on the former Arsenal star’s appointment and admitted it was a surprise to see them share the dugout, rather than the pitch.

Morrison told his pre-Cardiff press conference: “We’re aware of Cardiff’s situation. It’s always tough going to Cardiff and their fans will be pushing their team forward and we’ve got to be ready for that. 

“I want us to impose ourselves on them and push them back. I want us to show what a force we can be.

“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Aaron Ramsey. I think we had quite a similar style of play. We had lots of battles. I didn’t think we’d be having a battle in the dugout this Saturday, but it’ll be nice to see him.”

Morrison concluded: “I wish him all the best after Saturday.”

Cardiff certainly have more to play for, with the Bluebirds staring into the League One abyss, but both interim head coaches will be brining decades of top flight experience to the dugouts on Saturday.

• READ MORE: Calum Chambers issues rallying cry ahead of Cardiff City vs West Brom

James Morrison vs Aaron Ramsey stats as players ahead of managerial clash

Morrison and Ramsey are club legends in their respective rights and are two bona fide ‘Barclaysmen’.

Now-Cardiff boss Ramsey featured 262 times in the Premier League for Arsenal, notching an impressive return of 40 goals and 47 assists in the process.

Opposite number Morrison, made 311 top flight appearances for Middlesbrough and the Baggies, scoring 32 and assisting 32 across his 14-season Premier League span.

Experience at the highest level is synonymous with both Morrison and Ramsey, but whether that can translate to earning three points on Saturday remains to be seen.

However, it is the Gunners legend’s side that is in more desperate need, as they sit three points adrift of safety in the Championship table before kick-off.