The season may now be over for Steve Morison and Cardiff City, but their planning for next term can move onto the next step.
The Bluebirds ended a tumultuous 2021/22 campaign with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Derby County to add a bit of gloss to an overall disappointing campaign. That frustration can be the catalyst for a promising summer, though, with Morison urging fans to get excited about what comes next.
His record in the January transfer window was superb, with Cody Drameh arguably the best signing he made. His performances have been freakish on occasion, and the youngster spoke with confidence at his pre-match press briefing on Friday, telling his parent club that he won't be hanging round for long if he doesn't get opportunities at Elland Road next season.
Morison has made no secret of the fact he'd love to bring Drameh back to south Wales for another term, and the 20-year-old didn't dismiss the notion out of hand either. The manager has said that the full-back has been "top drawer" for him and the team since joining in the winter, and once again held him up as an example to others.
The fact he arrived at Cardiff training with Champions League boots on, and that he does a lot of individual work studying the art of defending off his own back, will no doubt place him on the road to the very top of the game, believes Morison.
"Yeah, that’s common knowledge," Morison said on Friday about wanting to sign Drameh once again.
"I don’t think anyone else in the league would mind having him. He has been top drawer. He is a great kid and he deserved all the awards he’s got. He is a top example to any of our young players, if they want to know how to get to the top and be as good as him - take a leaf out of his book.
"He credited his award to the sports psychologist coach that he has personally. He has a strict plan each match day. Coach journeys he is watching a video masterclass in 1v1s. If any of our young players want to know how to get to the top, that’s how he got to the top. He is investing in himself.
"He is already top drawer and he is trying to get to the top. He came out in Champions League football boots the other day and he said, ‘That’s where I want to get to’. He will get there. He has got that in him. If we had 11 Cody Dramehs we wouldn’t be far away."
After the game against the Rams, Morison once again hammered home is affection for the defender. "Cody, I love the kid," he added. "He said to me as we were walking off, 'Thanks for keeping your word'. I was like, 'I said you'd play, where you would play and how you would play'. He said ever since the presentation he knew he wanted to be a part of it.
"I said to him, 'Go on now and reach where you need to reach, because you're on the way now'. I am really, really pleased for him."
On his future, one suspects he is set for another loan, perhaps to a more high-profile club battling at the top end of the Championship, if Leeds boss Jesse Marsch doesn't like the look of him, that is. But Cardiff haven't been ruled out completely - and that's from the horse's mouth, too.
"No!" he responded when asked about whether Cardiff are out of the equation. "My options are very open. But I've got to see. I am contracted to Leeds and see what they are saying with me."
Whatever happens, you sense Drameh is headed to the very top. Just like Morison is predicting.
