Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sat Jan 11, 2020 1:34 pm
Neil Harris needs to understand what bitter rivalry with Swansea City really means to the fans and dare not lose
By Nathan Blake
Saturday 11th January 2019
Blakey says the idea of Bluebirds falling again to their arch-rivals this weekend doesn't even bear thinking about and explains the sheer pleasure scoring a derby goal for Cardiff City brings
Blakey says the idea of Bluebirds falling again to their arch-rivals this weekend doesn't even bear thinking about and explains the sheer pleasure scoring a derby goal for Cardiff City brings
South Wales derby day is almost upon us and it cannot be understated just how big of a clash this is – for the two clubs.
What an occasion it will be, 33,000 screaming fans desperate to see their side take the spoils in the most important of games.
For Cardiff City, they appear to be stumbling into this showdown a little bit.
But when your back is against the wall, and I think these players will be feeling that, there is only one place you can go: Forward.
City are coming off the back of an indifferent run of form and lost the first derby in Swansea back in October, so let's be honest, they are up against it.
This Cardiff City side needs to put in a big performance. They have just been given a hiding against QPR and a turned out a poor performance against Carlisle, so they owe it to the fans to give them something to shout about.
This is a fierce, nasty derby and it means everything to these fans. It will be like the Clash of the Titans.
If Neil Harris doesn't understand it, then he needs to understand it. He needs to be fully aware of this bitter rivalry and what it means to the supporters.
I hope he does get it, understand the tribalism.
Neil Harris has to understand the bitter rivalry between the two sides
From my own experiences, when you play in a South Wales derby, you know there are going to be thousands of people inside the ground who absolutely hate you.
The Swansea fans probably hate me now, but not as much as when I was playing!
I'm from Ely in Cardiff, and Ringland in Newport, and I understood exactly what it meant. I could see what it meant to the opposition supporters and I know they could see what it meant to me in those derby games.
I would never back down, I would never be intimidated.
When I scored in a derby, I wanted to ram it down their throats. That's the sort of passion I felt in these derbies and I just hope the players can harness some of that on Sunday.
If City lose, which doesn't bear thinking about, then a whole lot of heat is coming the manager's way and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
Cardiff can't lose. If they don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen. This is pressure.
There is no way Harris wants to be the first manager with the tag of losing the second South Wales derby of the season and handing Swansea the double for the first time in history.
He wasn't here for the first game at the Liberty Stadium, in fairness, but no one at Cardiff City Football Club wants the double to happen. It can't.
So, whichever players are selected on Sunday, understand this: You have got to win.
That is non-negotiable.
By Nathan Blake
Saturday 11th January 2019
Blakey says the idea of Bluebirds falling again to their arch-rivals this weekend doesn't even bear thinking about and explains the sheer pleasure scoring a derby goal for Cardiff City brings
Blakey says the idea of Bluebirds falling again to their arch-rivals this weekend doesn't even bear thinking about and explains the sheer pleasure scoring a derby goal for Cardiff City brings
South Wales derby day is almost upon us and it cannot be understated just how big of a clash this is – for the two clubs.
What an occasion it will be, 33,000 screaming fans desperate to see their side take the spoils in the most important of games.
For Cardiff City, they appear to be stumbling into this showdown a little bit.
But when your back is against the wall, and I think these players will be feeling that, there is only one place you can go: Forward.
City are coming off the back of an indifferent run of form and lost the first derby in Swansea back in October, so let's be honest, they are up against it.
This Cardiff City side needs to put in a big performance. They have just been given a hiding against QPR and a turned out a poor performance against Carlisle, so they owe it to the fans to give them something to shout about.
This is a fierce, nasty derby and it means everything to these fans. It will be like the Clash of the Titans.
If Neil Harris doesn't understand it, then he needs to understand it. He needs to be fully aware of this bitter rivalry and what it means to the supporters.
I hope he does get it, understand the tribalism.
Neil Harris has to understand the bitter rivalry between the two sides
From my own experiences, when you play in a South Wales derby, you know there are going to be thousands of people inside the ground who absolutely hate you.
The Swansea fans probably hate me now, but not as much as when I was playing!
I'm from Ely in Cardiff, and Ringland in Newport, and I understood exactly what it meant. I could see what it meant to the opposition supporters and I know they could see what it meant to me in those derby games.
I would never back down, I would never be intimidated.
When I scored in a derby, I wanted to ram it down their throats. That's the sort of passion I felt in these derbies and I just hope the players can harness some of that on Sunday.
If City lose, which doesn't bear thinking about, then a whole lot of heat is coming the manager's way and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
Cardiff can't lose. If they don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen. This is pressure.
There is no way Harris wants to be the first manager with the tag of losing the second South Wales derby of the season and handing Swansea the double for the first time in history.
He wasn't here for the first game at the Liberty Stadium, in fairness, but no one at Cardiff City Football Club wants the double to happen. It can't.
So, whichever players are selected on Sunday, understand this: You have got to win.
That is non-negotiable.
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sat Jan 11, 2020 1:55 pm
At this moment..I be more than Happy with a draw...only because we not playing well & DO not want that bad double against us...WIN.. I Would love to be on that pitch...that's not worth a ban..said before OUR GROUND OUR DERBY DAY...WE MUST NOT NOT LOSE 
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sat Jan 11, 2020 8:55 pm
Make no mistake if we loose the game then a large portion of the fan base will be turning on Harris and players.
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sat Jan 11, 2020 8:58 pm
nubbsy wrote:Make no mistake if we loose the game then a large portion of the fan base will be turning on Harris and players.
Dont know why it's a game football that doesn't decide anything? History says one team will lose both games suspect it will be us but tbh I wont lose sleep over it, more to life than game football .
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sun Jan 12, 2020 7:38 am
pembroke allan wrote:nubbsy wrote:Make no mistake if we loose the game then a large portion of the fan base will be turning on Harris and players.
Dont know why it's a game football that doesn't decide anything? History says one team will lose both games suspect it will be us but tbh I wont lose sleep over it, more to life than game football .
I am also trying to be philosophical. After having a successful heart operation last year there is certainly more to life! That said it is a make or break match for Harris. The performance is irrelevant, he just has to get some form of result. Lose today and he will never be forgiven and there will be queue of people waiting to drive him back across the bridge and if we play like we did against QPR throw him off it!
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:14 am
EastleighBlue wrote:pembroke allan wrote:nubbsy wrote:Make no mistake if we loose the game then a large portion of the fan base will be turning on Harris and players.
Dont know why it's a game football that doesn't decide anything? History says one team will lose both games suspect it will be us but tbh I wont lose sleep over it, more to life than game football .
I am also trying to be philosophical. After having a successful heart operation last year there is certainly more to life! That said it is a make or break match for Harris. The performance is irrelevant, he just has to get some form of result. Lose today and he will never be forgiven and there will be queue of people waiting to drive him back across the bridge and if we play like we did against QPR throw him off it!
Of course a lot of fans will turn against Harris if we lose today.
He’s never really been wanted here although the proper fans will have tried to support him. It’s a massive game following on from shite like the QPR thrashing which means many, many fans will lose whatever faith they have/had in him.
The club will stick by him regardless of today so let’s hope it’s a positive day!
Re: Neil Harris needs to understand, Says Nathan Blake
Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:45 am
OriginalGrangeEndBlue wrote:EastleighBlue wrote:pembroke allan wrote:nubbsy wrote:Make no mistake if we loose the game then a large portion of the fan base will be turning on Harris and players.
Dont know why it's a game football that doesn't decide anything? History says one team will lose both games suspect it will be us but tbh I wont lose sleep over it, more to life than game football .
I am also trying to be philosophical. After having a successful heart operation last year there is certainly more to life! That said it is a make or break match for Harris. The performance is irrelevant, he just has to get some form of result. Lose today and he will never be forgiven and there will be queue of people waiting to drive him back across the bridge and if we play like we did against QPR throw him off it!
Of course a lot of fans will turn against Harris if we lose today.
He’s never really been wanted here although the proper fans will have tried to support him. It’s a massive game following on from shite like the QPR thrashing which means many, many fans will lose whatever faith they have/had in him.
The club will stick by him regardless of today so let’s hope it’s a positive day!
Spot on.