BREAKING NEIL HARRIS:

“ NEIL HARRIS TODAY UPDATES CARDIFF CITY FANS “

Tuesday 24th November 2020



NEIL HARRIS:


"We know exactly where we are and what we’re doing. We know we are improving. We are ready for a tough period."





NEIL HARRIS:OTHER CLUBS HAVE BIGGER BUDGETS / BIGGER SQUADS


NEIL HARRIS:


Strength of squad, better prepared for what’s coming?

"I hope so. When we look at squad size, I like to think we have got quality. There are a lot of clubs with bigger budgets and bigger squad sizes out there to compete with the Championship, we have had to trim ours,where some clubs have not."

"I do think we have got that quality with games coming thick and fast. In the short term, though, it’s about being in the position to accelerate.

"It’s about winning games now."


NEIL HARRIS:


How did you enjoy Saturday?

"Personally, very much, seeing a lot of old friends and players I’d worked with. Going back to a club I have a long history with, thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I really enjoyed it until about 3.35pm then not so much for the next half hour! Shame we didn’t get 3 points but I felt we deserved it."





REPORTER ASKED TODAY IF HE FEELS UNDER PRESSURE


NEIL HARRIS:


"What you’re really asking, do I fear for my job? No. Because I love my job and performances have been excellent.




“ READ ALL NEIL HARRIS UPDATES BELOW “




Worried about play-off gap?


NEIL HARRIS:

"It’s not a gap we want. We want to be in those play-off positions. We have not won enough games.

"It’s a tough one as a manager because the performances have been excellent recently but we haven’t had the results.

"You need to believe in what you’re doing and how you’re developing the football club, as well as the team, will get you results.

"I’m really pleased with the majority of our play, with or without the ball, but I want to win games of football.

"I certainly don’t want that gap to get any bigger. We showed last year we are capable of closing a bigger gap than that, but it’s not a scenario we wanted to be in this year.

"But we can’t look back; we have to look forward and learn from the errors we have made.

"We will close that gap, I know we will close that gap, certainly if we keep playing like we are."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Not been in the lead much this season

"Various elements. Early on, sloppy mentality, getting punished by teams for giving an opportunity. I always looked at ourselves and asked how we can be better?

"It’s not an ideal scenario because you saw at Millwall they played 11 behind the ball. We concede the first goal too many times.

"Not the goalie or defenders, us as a group. No matter how well you play, you’re not always going to come from behind to get draws and wins."

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THE CCFC BOARD EXPECT HARRIS TO WIN 3 OF THESE 4 GAMES & THEY ARE ALL WINNABLE GAMES




Sat Nov 21 Millwall 1 Cardiff City 1



Wed Nov 25 Coventry City v Cardiff City ( played around St. Andrews)


Sat Nov 28 LUTON TOWN H

7pm kick off Tue Dec 01 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN H

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NEIL HARRIS:


When you’ve gone in the lead you’ve won

"Yeah. Then we become the difficult team to break down. The threat we have on the counter-attack, too.

"It’s not just us, the Championship, when teams get in front they make it difficult. We have spoken about it as a group."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Got plenty of games



NEIL HARRIS:

"Now, without international break coming up there are no grey areas. We don’t look at that whole period up until January 1.

"We are looking at it a little bit smaller. We are prepared better as a group now than what we were two months ago.

"We know exactly where we are and what we’re doing. We know we are improving. We are ready for a tough period."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Do you know your strongest XI now?

"I know what my strongest XI is at the football club. I think it becomes combinations after that. Form of players. I can’t pick the same team three or four games in a row in a minute.

"Form is certainly the key element to picking the team."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Looking at table, Coventry at the bottom, does that make a difference?

"It goes back to form. Sheffield Wednesday first game was not a good opponent for us. You want teams at the right time.

"You look at teams lower than you and you think they are games you want to win.

"In the Championship bottom beats top every season. Every team will be tough to play against.

"You’ve got to worry about getting your own house in order."

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NEIL HARRIS:


On return of fans

"Personally, Even if we are only allowed 2,000 fans back in the stadium it would make a world of difference.

"We have had no steer from the Welsh Government. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned."

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NEIL HARRIS:


Strength of squad, better prepared for what’s coming?

"I hope so. When we look at squad size, I like to think we have got quality. There are a lot of clubs with bigger budgets and bigger squad sizes out there to compete with the Championship, we have had to trim ours,where some clubs have not."

"I do think we have got that quality with games coming thick and fast. In the short term, though, it’s about being in the position to accelerate.

"It’s about winning games now."

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NEIL HARRIS:


It’s going to come together?

"I hope so! I think when you’re not getting results, you can say the team doesn’t look organised or can’t see where a goal is coming from.

"I think any manager who watches us says we are majorly organised, a major threat on the ball, different ways of playing.

"We are a good team on paper, but we are starting to show it now (on the pitch).

"We have the potential to be the finished article."

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NEIL HARRIS:



How long do you give it before you make changes, Benkovic, even Bamba?

"Those players are always in my mind. Filip trains well every day, same as Sol every day.

"Greg Cunningham when he is back fit, Joel Bagan, always thinking about what’s best for the team.

"I don’t think we’ve seen anybody who hasn’t played well for a period.

"The other day, after the game, Alex held his hands up and said he made a slight error of judgment.

"If every time someone makes a mistake you take them out and put someone else in, you won’t get the continuity and you won’t get the trust of the players.

"The back line, with Leo in it, has shown to be a good group and I certainly trust in my players.

"With so many games in such a short period, if it means changes at centre back or full back and a winger, I have no issue in doing that.

"Back in January we let six in at QPR, and it could have been more, that’s why I changed then and I’m pleased I changed then because it was the right decision."

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NEIL HARRIS:


When you clicked last year, what made the difference?

"Mentality was a big thing. You can’t underestimate the desire to achieve.

"We really sat down and said to the players we got a good chance here, we are really close and went on a good run.

"We didn’t have that in the first few months of the season.

"Continuity as well, injuries and suspensions, trying to get that is key. If we can get that and put a bit of pressure on the players as well.

"Five or six players playing well isn’t enough to win a game of football.

"Last year, we fell the right side of close games and mavericks performing at the right time."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Teams playing against you?

"I think playing against QPR, they went really deep against us. Millwall, against Barnsley, we have got the creativity to unlock teams.

"The last two teams have changed their shape the day of the game to play against us.

"Then it’s about adjusting. If they are changing against a team that’s in the bottom half of the season then that bodes well for us.

"But it’s about us getting more results and the sooner the better."

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NEIL HARRIS:

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After Millwall 1 Cardiff City 1 on Saturday




NEIL HARRIS:


Cardiff City manager Neil Harris says he has seen a "shift in winning mentality" within his squad after a disappointing result away at Millwall.

“We are improving and I can see a lot of good in what we do, and I’ve seen a massive shift on the training pitch over the last ten days. But that has to translate into a Saturday afternoon.”

“On paper we have a good squad and I have told them we have to start winning games.”

"I don't just look at today, I look at breaking down four games and what is coming this week. I just said to the boys that becomes a really good point if we follow it up with a really good performance and more importantly three points on Wednesday at Coventry.”


"We have to start winning games of football, that goes without me having to say and I have told the players this.”

And Harris has said the winning mentality, which he says is so clear to see on the training ground, must now start to translate into performances on the pitch and, importantly, winning matches.

"We have done research over the last few weeks, based on expected goals and chances created, conceded, every stat going we are in the top six - apart from the points total," he added.

"Ultimately, that's what matters. I'm not one to hide behind stats.”

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Odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of tomorrow night.

Coventry City win: 12/5
Draw: 12/5
Cardiff City: 23/20

"It’s a tough one as a manager because the performances have been excellent recently but we haven’t had the results.

NEIL HARRIS:


How did you enjoy Saturday?

"Personally, very much, seeing a lot of old friends and players I’d worked with. Going back to a club I have a long history with, thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I really enjoyed it until about 3.35pm then not so much for the next half hour! Shame we didn’t get 3 points but I felt we deserved it."

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Are you feeling any more pressure a couple months into the season?





NEIL HARRIS:


"What you’re really asking, do I fear for my job? No. Because I love my job and performances have been excellent.


"Yeah. Let’s be honest, you asked the question for a reason, because we’ve not won enough games of football. I fully accept the question.

"I feel the pressure because I want to succeed, I’m always talking about wanting to be a winner and being successful as Cardiff City manager.

"We are a club we feel should be in the top 10, fighting for the top six. We have earned that right this year after what we achieved last year, from November onwards. So, pressure in that sense, yes.

"What you’re really asking, do I fear for my job? No. Because I love my job and performances have been excellent.

"But I’m also acutely aware that football is a results business and I want to win games."

He's wrong. No one deserves the right based on past performances.

Greg Cunningham?


NEIL HARRIS:

"He is back in full training. Whether we include him tomorrow we will have to make that decision.

"He has come back from a semi-serious hamstring injury and off the back of his injury last year we have got to make sure we don’t take any risks with him when there’s no immediate need.

"Having everyone fit and available is important for every game but having them available for a period of time, 13 games in seven weeks.

"If it means missing a game so he is fit for 10 afterwards then that’s the thought process, certainly with Greg’s injury record over the last 12 months."

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How do you reassure fans moving forward?


NEIL HARRIS:

"I don’t think you can reassure fans, not in the modern society. It’s all about yesterday and tomorrow, not next week.

"What I’d say is, I’m frustrated and I understand the fans’ frustration because ultimately, over the last eight years, this club has been successful.

"Fans want success and we have had a spell of games where we have not won as many as we should have done and that’s what the fans feel, they want to see their team win.

"The majority accept that we’ve played well. I accept that playing well against Bristol City and not winning might not cut it in a local derby and I accept that. I’m not saying that’s acceptable.

"Dominating the game at the weekend and being as good as we were, I have to expect my teams to win more games than not, playing like that.

"The team is playing well at the moment and results will come off the back of that.

"Everyone watching sees a good team but it’s down to my players to get the result."

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