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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