BREAKING NEIL HARRIS:

“ NEIL HARRIS TODAY UPDATES CARDIFF CITY FANS “


Thursday 5th November 2020




NEIL HARRIS:


Harry Wilson, how big a role can he play for you?

"Firstly, it’s not about putting too much pressure on one young man’s shoulders. Being respectful to the other players too.

"He has a moment of magic. To be competitive in those top divisions you have to have those individuals in your team.

"Harry, not just on the pitch, off the pitch he is extremely infectious and i think he will go from strength to strength for us."







“ READ BELOW NEIL HARRIS UPDATES “


Bristol changed manager after you beat them, Dean Holden, team different now?

"They are playing a different system under Dean.

"Lee had a good squad of players, a big squad of players, invested heavily in their squad, good start to the season… but it’s a local derby. It’ll be a challenge.

"It’ll be a physical encounter. But it’s about what my team does tomorrow."






A lot of draws, how do you change that?

"Both boxes. Defensively sound at one end, but focused on the other end of the pitch.

"I don’t want to sound negative, but it’s about when you don’t win games, not losing. We want to win games, that comes with being better with the ball.

"If you can’t be better than teams it’s about staying in the games and waiting for a moment of magic, set pieces or a bit of luck.

"We will get moments like that, as you saw the other night. The second half against QPR and then we carried that into the other night.

"That’s what we have got to use moving forward."

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NEIL HARRIS:


What has the win done the other night?

"We used the defeat at QPR as a real positive in getting a reaction on Tuesday.

"It wasn’t just the result and performance on Tuesday, it was the response from QPR.

"Everyone says the same thing, we look like we are nearly there. We have to back it up in the coming 30 hours but certainly the next two to three weeks.

"We go into this local derby in great spirits and lads are hugely looking forward to it."

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Sat Sept 5th Northampton Town 3 Cardiff City 0 League Cup 1st rd.



Sat Sep 12 CARDIFF CITY 0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2

Sky Sports Sat Sep 19 Nottingham Forest 0 Cardiff City 2


Sat Sep 26 CARDIFF CITY 1 READING 2


Sat Oct 03 Blackburn Rovers 0 Cardiff City 0


Sky Sports Sunday 12pm Oct 18 Preston North End 0 Cardiff City 1


Wed Oct 21 CARDIFF CITY 1 AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1

Sat Oct 24 CARDIFF CITY 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 1

Wed Oct 28 Derby County 1 Cardiff City 1

Sat Oct 31 Queens Park Rangers 3 Cardiff City 2


Tue Nov 03 Cardiff City 3 Barnsley 0 745pm live in Sky £130,000 for Cardiff City


Friday 6th Nov 6pm Kick off
Cardiff City vs. Bristol City has been selected for sky tv earning Cardiff City £130,000


Sat Nov 21 Millwall A

Wed Nov 25 Coventry City A

Sat Nov 28 LUTON TOWN H

Tue Dec 01 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN H


Sat Dec 05 Watford A


Tue Dec 08 Stoke City A live on Sky Tv

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NEIL HARRIS:

Has it set a standard, performance-wise?

"I think so. Some individual performances were outstanding.

"That’s not what we’ve had. Some have played well, some haven’t, combinations haven't been there, but it all came to fruition on Tuesday evening."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Lost to Bristol last year and Warnock left, been there almost a year, how do you reflect?

"It’s been a little bit crazy and surreal, coming into a group that was different, off the pitch as well as on it.

"Have had to work extremely hard at tidying it up.

"Got a group of extremely good lads who are extremely professional. We have had a period where we have got better and better from New Year onwards.

"On the whole, it’s been enjoyable, but time has flown, I’ve got to be honest.

"As you get older, time goes a lot quicker. But it’s been enjoyable and there’s so much more to come.

"That starts tomorrow evening."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Lack intensity without fans?

"I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s not the same without fans, it never will be.

"It’s not going to be the same. The fans make these games. It’s important to he club, me personally, but it’s the fans who make the local derbies. Neither club having fans at the game detracts from it.

"What doesn’t change is our desire to win. What doesn’t change is us wanting our fans to have the bragging rights."

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NEIL HARRIS:

When are we going to get fans back, whole season without fans?

"It’s a reality, isn’t it? If we are honest.

"Who knows what’s going to happen in four weeks’ time, Christmas. Football is hugely important but I think we’d all like to see family at Christmas, as a priority.

"I didn’t expect to see fans until January, that’s a given now.

"Until they get the virus under control then we are not going to see fans back in the stadiums.

"The government don’t look like they are getting a bend on this.

"At the moment, I hope they are back in January, but I can’t think past that at the moment."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Big scores in the Premier League, not seeing that in the Championship, does that show how competitive it is?

"It’s never changed. You’ll get one crazy result, one a month, but the Championship doesn’t change, it doesn’t matter what teams are in the Championship, anyone can beat anyone.

"I don’t buy into the fact that it’s not open, teams will move away, it happens every year.

"The Championship will be like that every year.

"We saw Coventry beating Reading the other day, those scenarios won’t change in the Championship."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Bagan, what has he done to deserve new contract?

"He’s grown, not in size, in stature, in personality, in his play. Sometimes, in time, you get to see them over a period, sometimes they start slowly and grow, sometimes they start like a house on fire and fall away.

"He’s played two games, that’s good for a player of that age in the modern game. It’s important the club tie him down to a long deal because ultimately that’s the future of the club."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Tidy up the squad when you came in?

"That’s for people to make their own judgment.

"It was a big squad, my remit from day one was to lower the wage bill and reduce the average age of the squad.

"We had to move some players on and freshen things up a bit.

"I don’t think you can look at a year on and look at a league table. You have to look at what has happened in between.

"It’s a much bigger picture than just looking at the league table.

"I’m pleased with the transfer windows we have had and I’m delighted with the look of my squad now.

"We have been unlucky with injuries, certainly at full backs, and the lack of minutes Lee Tomlin has had has hindered us.

"But it’ll even out over the course of the season."

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NEIL HARRIS:



Nice to have a break, time off?

"The players will, not the ones on international duty. The players that have played a lot of minutes will be having some time off.

"Some, as you might see tomorrow, have been carrying illness or injury. Some of the lads after tomorrow night will have played seven games in 19 days. It’s a crazy schedule.

"It’s just making sure everybody gets what they need leading up to Millwall.

"Mentally, as much as anything, staff and players. It’s draining for the staff, the amount of time put in to preparing and analysing games."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Get a reaction after a big telling off, how do you ensure continued positive reaction?

"After QPR, I did it aggressively in a rallying nature. I made sure I followed that up Sunday and Monday with positive messages. Things we got wrong followed by another positive. You have to say it in different ways.

"Reminding them what they can do well and what they can do better.

"It doesn’t mean, just because they are senior players that they can’t learn and improve. It was about finding solutions.

"Then you find the team spirit and camaraderie.

"It’s about reinforcing it. Duels, aerially, tackles, footraces, we were miles better.

"It’s down to their professional nature, how much do they want to beat Bristol City, I know the answer to that in my changing room."

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NEIL HARRIS:



Glatzel and Moore together, really worked on Tuesday, delighted with it?

"I was really pleased. Bob has been really under the weather, nothing Covid related. We had to bring him off because he was shattered.

"The combination I saw was really pleasing. It’s certainly something we can use moving forward.

"That’s the qualities I use moving forward. It was good to see Harry step into that No.10 position and score, not play Sheyi Ojo.

"Having those options to rotate the team is vital for us."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Hoping for player management on international duty?

"I think I am slightly different to a lot of managers. My thought process is to go await and represent your country is an honour.

"If they are selected, they have to give it everything they’ve got because that’s the pinnacle of your career.

"I hope the national teams look at the bigger picture and the amount of games they’ve played, if they can rest them or use them wisely, it will be beneficial for us. If not, we have to adjust afterwards.

"But it’s an absolute privilege for them, If they get a chance to play then I wish them all the best.

"It’s not down for me to pick Ryan and Rob’s teams for Wales next week. They are diligent and organised enough to know what they’re doing."

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NEIL HARRIS:

A lot of draws, how do you change that?

"Both boxes. Defensively sound at one end, but focused on the other end of the pitch.

"I don’t want to sound negative, but it’s about when you don’t win games, not losing. We want to win games, that comes with being better with the ball.

"If you can’t be better than teams it’s about staying in the games and waiting for a moment of magic, set pieces or a bit of luck.

"We will get moments like that, as you saw the other night. The second half against QPR and then we carried that into the other night.

"That’s what we have got to use moving forward."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Joel Bagan?

"At that age, every month, every week is important. It’s not just about on the pitch learning, match-day involvement, video analysis meetings.

"We as a staff, me personally, us as a football club, think he’s got a big future. He’s an intelligent footballer and he’s athletic as well which is vitally important in the modern era."

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Joel Bagan has signed a Cardiff City contract extension until the summer of 2023




JOEL BAGAN:

Joel said: “It’s a great feeling to know that all the hard work and hours put in have paid off, but I know how hard I have to keep working.

“The Gaffer, staff and players welcomed me into the group from day one and have helped me whenever I’ve needed anything. It was important for me to get some time away on loan [at Notts County last season] because it shows you how much a step up the senior game is from U23s football; it’s competitive every time and it’s about winning and getting results.

“Playing in the games against Bournemouth and Middlesbrough from the start last month was very important for me and I felt confident and ready to be part of it. I learn from Joe Bennett and Greg Cunningham every day in training and games and it’s fantastic to have them and the other players around me to help me develop."

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Why Bristol City clash will show exactly how far Cardiff City have come since Neil Warnock

The Bluebirds take on the Robins in a Severnside derby this Friday night, but the clash has taken on more significance in the last year

By Glen Williams

Thursday 5th November 2020



Cardiff City welcome cross-border rivals Bristol City to the Welsh capital on Friday on the back of a resounding win.

But rewind almost exactly one year ago and the very same sentence could have been written.

November 10 last year was Neil Warnock's last match in charge of the Bluebirds and, as many will remember, it was that Severnside derby, the one in which City meekly limped to a 1-0 defeat.

The defeat by the Robins followed a 4-2 drubbing of Birmingham City, the perfect response to a woeful performance against south Wales rivals Swansea City. The Birmingham result, though, looked to have simply papered over the cracks.

Two derby defeats in three games took its toll and Warnock rightly decided it was time to leave. He never wanted his legend as Cardiff manager to be tainted by a poor final campaign.

The clash with Bristol, which also came just before an international break, was Warnock's last in charge and it was a performance which reinforced the views of the doubters and highlighted just why City had fallen so far off the pace early in the season.

The Bluebirds had gone stale, their style of football was being found out and performances lacked that fight, bite, blood and thunder, which had become synonymous under the legendary manager.

A lot has happened, both on and off the pitch, since then.

Neil Harris took over, started brightly, plateaued through the festive period and then embarked on a charge towards the play-off spots at the back end of last season.

But the start of this season, for many, has drawn parallels with the beginning of last year's campaign. An underwhelming, frustrating start which has seen a more than capable team punching below its weight.

What is crucial now, of course, is City's 3-0 drubbing of Barnsley is not a flash in the pan — as that Birmingham result seemingly was for Warnock — and it now sets the blueprint for what is to be expected moving forward.

So, a year on from that drab derby day at Cardiff City Stadium, what has changed?

Many Cardiff fans wanted to see their team evolve their style of football, fearing it had become predictable and perhaps even obsolete under their former manager, and Harris sought to change that.

But talk of a "better" style of play has died down somewhat in recent months, with Harris still seemingly deciphering how best to utilise this group of players.

In truth, it hasn't been a marked change in football since Warnock left, a point the manager made clearly when he brought his Middlesbrough team to the Welsh capital a few weeks ago.

Speaking after the game, Warnock said: "They [Cardiff] are the best physical side and the towel's round the side with every throw-in.

"We defended really well. We've done a thousand miles this week and the Middlesbrough fans should be proud of those players. We've responded in those three games.

"I was told they [Cardiff] had changed style since I'd left. It was weird getting off the bus and seeing one or two staff when I was there. But life goes on, it was the right time for me to leave.

"I'd done everything I could. I'm not sure the style of football has changed if I'm honest from what I was told."

Perhaps that is a little too blunt of an assessment.

Cardiff certainly enjoy more possession of the football on a far more regular basis now than they did under Warnock and the midfield players appear to have a more pronounced passing role than they did under Harris' predecessor.

But the premise to which Warnock alludes is clearly the team's use of a big front man in Kieffer Moore, reliance on quick breakaway goals and utilising long throw-ins and set pieces.

Crucially, though, the personnel has changed and that is the key difference.

While supporters have been critical at times during Harris' reign, it is hard to deny his success in the transfer market since taking over.

That is something which could not be said of Warnock, whose transfers ranged wildly from big successes to woeful failures.

Harris' recruitment has been extremely sound and now, Cardiff fans will hope, they should reap the rewards.


Harry Wilson has brought star power to this City attack, while Sheyi Ojo and Kieffer Moore have both also enjoyed excellent starts to their Bluebirds careers.

Jordi Osei-Tutu, too, has been a real revelation at right back and his injury is a real blow for City in the short term.

Filip Benkovic comes with pedigree, although he is yet to feature, while Dillon Phillips looks a shrewd acquisition with an eye on the future.

So while the style of play might have changed only slightly, City fans should have confidence that there are better players there to execute the game plan.




Talk of mounting pressure on Harris after a lacklustre start seemed a little premature, especially given the credit he should have in the bank still owing to his play-off push last term.

But now, with confidence high after a convincing win over Barnsley, the manager must now rally his troops to do what Warnock could not – back it up with a big win over rivals Bristol City to silence the early-season doubters.

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Latest odds

Here's the latest odds from the Pools for tomorrow night.

Cardiff are 6/5 for a win, while Bristol City are 9/4 for victory.

A draw is 23/10.

NEIL HARRIS:


Harry Wilson, how big a role can he play for you?

"Firstly, it’s not about putting too much pressure on one young man’s shoulders. Being respectful to the other players too.

"He has a moment of magic. To be competitive in those top divisions you have to have those individuals in your team.

"Harry, not just on the pitch, off the pitch he is extremely infectious and i think he will go from strength to strength for us."

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A different sport since playing behind closed doors?




NEIL HARRIS:

"I think there’s an element of, at times, you see teams acclimatise to it. It’s almost the new norm.

"It’ll quickly change when the fans are back in, with the atmosphere.

"I think what’s changed in the game is the advantage the home teams have. That’s the biggest change.

"The atmosphere, the mental side of approaching away games has gone."

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Dearth of talent...



NEIL HARRIS:

"Yeah, Joel is the one at the moment. Mark Harris came on at QPR.

"The players below that, I keep talking about that, we haven’t got those players at the moment.

"It’s not about who the manager is or was, it’s about the club’s philosophy, investing in the young players and bringing them through."

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Friday, huge game, Severnside derby, two week break then…?




NEIL HARRIS:

"I don’t even look at Saturday, Sunday and the international break.

"The bottom line is this isn’t like any other game. Swansea fixtures and Bristol City fixtures are about winning and getting bragging rights for the opponents.

"I understand the question about hangovers in the international break.

"It’s just about the game."

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Coming out of lockdown too…


NEIL HARRIS:

"It’s about switching off as much as I could, spending time with family, ticking myself over for next time.

"It’ll only be a couple of days off, they won’t be jetting off to Dubai or anything like that. Just some time at home and time to sleep and put their feet up.

"A lot of my lads have got young children now, so spend time with them."

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One after tomorrow, Millwall away…


NEIL HARRIS:

"When you’ve got Bristol City next up, that’s the only one you can focus on. I really, really look forward to that one."

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How do you assess how much you’ve changed after Neil Warnock’s comments?






NEIL HARRIS:


"Did he have his eyes shut?

"I’m not going to get dragged into what people say about other people’s teams.

"Huge overhaul in the playing squad. Average age come down. It’s not always just about style of play, it’s about club philosophy and what fans want to see.

"Seeing a slight change in style of play. Neil was alluding to long throws and big man up front.

"Why should that change? Fans want to see blood and thunder.

"I speak about winning duels because that’s what Neil Harris wants to see and demands.

"I want my team to find different ways of getting the ball up the pitch, building passes.

"It’s always about playing through teams and if you can’t do that you go over the top.
We are evolving as a group. It’s about the bigger picture and I feel we are improving all the time."

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Bristol City, Neil Warnock said he was surprised he got you, did you want to leave?



MARLON PACK:

"It was one that I was surprised as well if I’m honest.

"It came probably at the right time in my career. I had a long time at Bristol City, plenty of lows and highs.

"I felt it was the right time to move. You have to be ambitious as a player. Cardiff came in for me, it was one you had to weigh up.

"My son could stay in school and in his friendship groups. Watching Cardiff from afar the season before and it was one I couldn’t really turn down."

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Neil Harris Says Severnside Derby is Like No Other Game….Apart From Swansea City




5th November 2020




By Jack Cook

Neil Harris knows that Cardiff City’s Severnside derby with Bristol City on Friday is like no other game.

And the Bluebirds boss is determined his side come out of the Championship clash with the bragging rights as they look to move up the table before the international break.



“The bottom line is this isn’t like any other game,” said Harris of tomorrow’s game at Cardiff City Stadium.



“Swansea fixtures and Bristol City fixtures are about winning and getting bragging rights for the opponents. It’s just about the game.”

Former Millwall boss Harris will next week celebrate being in charge of the club for a year since succeeding Neil Warnock.

And he is keen to celebrate another victory over the Robins who City beat 1-0 at Ashton Gate last July on their way to the play-offs.



The 43-year-old admitted: “It’s been a little bit crazy and surreal, coming into a group that was different, off the pitch as well as on it. Have had to work extremely hard at tidying it up.

“Got a group of extremely good lads who are extremely professional. We have had a period where we have got better and better from New Year onwards. On the whole, it’s been enjoyable, but time has flown, I’ve got to be honest.



“As you get older, time goes a lot quicker. But it’s been enjoyable and there’s so much more to come. That starts tomorrow evening.”



Warnock’s reign as Cardiff manager ended after a 1-0 defeat by Bristol City last November.

Now in charge of Middlesbrough, Warnock had claimed City had not really changed their style of play since he left.

“Did he have his eyes shut?,” Harris responded.

“I’m not going to get dragged into what people say about other people’s teams. Huge overhaul in the playing squad. Average age come down.

“It’s not always just about style of play, it’s about club philosophy and what fans want to see. Seeing a slight change in style of play. Neil was alluding to long throws and big man up front.

“Why should that change? Fans want to see blood and thunder. I speak about winning duels because that’s what Neil Harris wants to see and demands. I want my team to find different ways of getting the ball up the pitch, building passes.

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What have the managers said:

Cardiff City manager Neil Harris: "We used the defeat at QPR as a real positive in getting a reaction on Tuesday.

"It wasn’t just the result and performance on Tuesday, it was the second half against QPR where I had a reaction from my players.

"Everyone says the same thing, we look like we are nearly there. We are gelling, settling. We have to back it up in the coming 30 hours but certainly the next two to three weeks.

"Ultimately, we go into this local derby in great spirits, the lads are hugely looking forward to it. and that's not maybe a position we would have been in before Tuesday night."









Bristol City manager Dean Holden: "They're always a really well drilled outfit. There's no doubt about that.

"They're always a team that get on the front foot and they do play with some physicality - and you have to do that to win a game of football.

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