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Glen Williams

Cardiff City headlines as Tan confident about summer rebuild and fuming Derby County boss Wayne Rooney hits out at officiating

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, March 2.

Fuming Rooney claims 'no one wants Derby in the Championship'

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney fumed at officials after his side's 1-0 defeat by Cardiff City, claiming "no one wants us in the Championship next season".

Rooney hit out at the refereeing in the defeat at Cardiff City Stadium, taking umbrage with supposed fouls on Festy Ebosele and Curtis Davies in the build-up to Uche Ikpeazu's winner.

"Are decisions being made against us because of the situation we are in? I need to ask that question because that's what it feels like," Rooney said.

"Referee decisions I felt all game were not good enough. Fourth official - a lack of respect in how he speaks to you.

"No one wants us in the Championship next season. That's been clear all season. We've had our punishment, but ultimately, I think, the real punishment is going to League One.

"We've exceeded a lot of people's expectations and it's caused issues."

The Rams boss said his players were left disappointed by the decisions which went against them on Tuesday night.

"I need to ask questions because they deserve a bit more protection than they are getting," he added.

"Football's a cruel game. We had complete control and the future for this club on the pitch is bright if we can keep the players, if we can keep moving forward and progressing. Off the pitch is a different matter.

"But we are showing a real maturity, a real style and identity of football which is hard for teams to play against, and to come to Cardiff and really dominate the game is a big thing."

When asked after the match, Cardiff boss Steve Morison didn't believe either incidents were fouls.

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Vincent Tan confident about summer rebuild

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan believes Steve Morison is the perfect man to oversee the squad's overhaul this summer.

There is an air of uncertainty hanging over the Bluebirds at the minute, with three lawsuits worth in excess of £40m hanging over their heads and set to be concluded in the coming months ( You can read more about that here ).

The outcome of the above will have a huge impact on the transfer and playing budgets which will be available to Morison in the off-season.

Morison spoke this week about how Tan is aligned with his own vision of the direction in which the club should go and that working relationship they have will, Cardiff hope, continue this summer.

Speaking about Morison's new contract, Tan said: “I’ve been very pleased with the way Steve has improved our style of play and has helped get the best out of our younger and more established players.

“Steve deserves this opportunity following the hard work that he has put into driving the players forward on and off the field.

“I am confident that he is the right person to build a competitive squad over the summer months and I look forward to our continued, honest and positive working relationship.”

READ MORE: All the latest Cardiff City news, views, features and opinion here

Doyle: I'm loving it at Cardiff!

Tommy Doyle said he is loving life at Cardiff City after earning man-of-the-match plaudits for his performance in the 1-0 win over Derby County.

Doyle continued his impressive loan stint with another top outing at Cardiff City Stadium, rightfully being crowned man-of-the-match after dictating so much of the Bluebirds' positive play from midfield.

And Cardiff fans have most certainly taken to him and have enjoyed the creativity and energy he has brought to this Bluebirds side.

The Manchester City loanee, 20, is equally happy about his time here.

“I’m loving it here at the moment," Doyle said after the match.

"The most important thing is that we keep winning and everyone is happy. I’m really happy to be playing, the team is doing well, putting in a bit of a fight and we’re sticking together.

From the lads starting, to the lads not involved or on the bench, we’re all one unit and that’s the most important thing.”

On the game, Doyle said: “It’s a massive win. The team did very well, we had to dig deep at times, but when you bring Uche on, I think he’s the last player defenders want to see when they’re tired.

"It was a massive shift from the boys and an important three points.”

Wintle: Morison has given us more belief

Midfielder Ryan Wintle believes Steve Morison has given the squad more belief since coming in as manager.

Morison was keen to bring Wintle back from his loan at Blackpool at the beginning of January and he has made a massive difference to the Bluebirds engine room.

The manager has spoken about evolving the football club and getting it more align with the top teams in the Championship. The shift in playing style has definitely helped with that.

And Wintle hopes Morison and his coaching staff can build on the foundations which have been put in place over the last few months.

“It’s great for everyone. It’s great for me because he’s been playing me and I’m really happy with that," Wintle told WalesOnline.

"The results have improved so he deserves it. Hopefully, we can win a lot more games next season.

“I just think he’s given us more belief and making sure that we know that we’re good players, to get the ball down and pass it to each other, because that’s ideally how we want to play.”

Paterson's emotional day

Former Cardiff City fan favourite Callum Paterson had some day on Tuesday.

Not only did he score in Sheffield Wednesday's 5-2 win over Burton Albion, but he found out his mum was cancer free.

Writing on Twitter on Wednesday morning, the Scotland international wrote: "What a day yesterday! Great win for the boys. Another tap in but even better news… my mum is CANCER FREE! that was for you mum. Love you."

A heart-rending message and one which will resonate with Bluebirds fans, many of whom loved the forward while he was at the club.

Since moving to Hillsborough at the start of last season, Paterson has scored 13 goals in 77 games for the Owls.

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