Something is stirring at Cardiff City after three straight victories, the latest of which was a 3-0 drubbing of Championship promotion favourites Aston Villa. Kenneth Zohore, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Junior Hoilett are the focus of much of the praise, but Josh Thomas reckons stability has stemmed from the impressive leadership of Sean Morrison.

Over the summer, Cardiff City were hard at work, strengthening the team and holding onto their best players.

With three wins from three, the Bluebirds already look a much better, improved and composed team ready to take on any side in the Championship.

Key players to have hit the ground running, have included the continued resurgence of Kenneth Zohore, the warrior presence of Aron Gunnarson, and the fearsome but calmy controlled captain, Sean Morrison.

Throughout the summer Morrison was the subject of speculation over a move away from City to fellow Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday. There were talks of a £3 million bid being tabled, but Warnock left it for Morrison to decide whether or not he wanted to leave.

Morrison himself turned down the offer and went on to say: “I explained to him that I wanted to stay, and that was the end of it, basically.”

One of the reasons he chose to remain in South Wales was because he felt he could help lead the Bluebirds back to the Premier League.

“The main goal is to get back to the Premier League this season, and if I can do that by leading the team it will be the highlight of my career so far.”

Having recently persuaded Morrison to sign a contract to 2020, Warnock said of his skipper, “I’ve had the same captain since I’ve been here, I’ve got no problems with that.

“I’m delighted, I wouldn’t ask him to sign a three-year contract and then kick him out, would I?”

Chief executive Ken Choo followed up that sentiment by saying. “Sean has been an excellent captain for us so far and we’re looking forward to having him for another three years. We see him as a key part of our future.”

With his future settled, the Cardiff fans should now see what kind of a player Plymouth-born Morrison really is. It’s the type who always wears his heart on his sleeve and leads by example on and off the pitch.

One of Morrison’s strengths is that he scores goals and he has been the highest scoring defender since he arrived at Cardiff in 2014, with 13 goals scored in three seasons.

Another quality – much admired by Warnock – is his durability and since the 26-year-old arrived from Reading, he has played in every game under the current manager.

At the club awards night last season, Warnock thanked everyone for their contribution but talked about, “the captain, in particular, Sean Morrison, has been fantastic for me.”

Yet while he has been drawing the praise of his manger, the fans seem to not yet hold him in the same high regard when compared to their favourite recent centre-backs, Sol Bamba and Bruno Manga.

Morrison adds: “But I know the gaffer believes in me. We talk a lot on and off the pitch. He knows what I’m about and what I’m capable of.”

Like so many others over the years at many clubs, he seems to be a player reborn under Warnock’s guidance and has gone from strength to strength in the short time Warnock has managed City.

“He gave me a lift from the minute he came in by keeping the armband on me, something that is a massive honour because nothing gives me more pleasure than leading out these boys.”

Every time Morrison steps onto the pitch he becomes a leader, a warrior – as was evident with his most recent commanding performance in the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.

It showed just why Warnock speaks so highly of his captain as he continues to be a growing influence on a team that has made such a spectacular start to the season.