Neil Harris said something the other night which stuck

Neil Harris said something the other night which stuck with me. He said that Cardiff have more points this season than they did at the same stage last season - and he is right.


By Glenn Williams

Friday 18th December 2020



The Bluebirds have 29 points after 19 games, a point more than they did at the same stage last season. And we all know how strongly they finished last term.

Considering many believe this to be a poor start to the campaign, and to an extent they are right to think that with the heightened expectation and how impressive this season's squad looks on paper, it is important to put it all into context and realise the Bluebirds are within touching distance of the top.


Cardiff are just three points away from the play-off spots. Yes, they have two unenviable tasks ahead with Norwich City and Brentford the next two fixtures, but it is important to shine a positive light at times, especially during a time in which they have showcased tremendous form, which should not be ignored.





12:30pm Sat Dec 19 Norwich City v Cardiff City


Sat Dec 26 BRENTFORD H


Tue Dec 29 Wycombe Wanderers A


Sat Jan 02 Rotherham United A


Sat Jan 09 FA Cup 3rd rd Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City 12pm live on BT


Sat Jan 16 NORWICH CITY H

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Wilson 'magic' could be the deciding factor


By Glenn Williams

Friday 18th December 2020




Neil Harris made an apt comparison in his post-match debrief on Wednesday night.

It was only in passing, but the manager likened Wilson's influence to Lee Tomlin and against Birmingham City you could see just why Harris thought that.

Last season, during big games and when Cardiff needed it most, Tomlin stood up to be counted. He ran the show and almost single-handedly won City points from nothing.

Now, of course, Wilson evidently has more to his game than Tomlin, but the remains the same; they are match winners.

Wilson's contribution against Birmingham City included a superbly-taken goal and a wonderful brace of assists, the first of which he showed great composure to draw his defender before laying off Robert Glatzel and the second a trademark set-piece delivery for Morrison.

The Wales international had endured a couple of quiet matches out on the right wing, but you could see the juices flowing which he was selected through the middle once again, having fair greater influence.

He was making clever runs off the shoulder, ordering players around him about and central to all things positive from a go-forward perspective.

"He has moments of magic and that's what he does," was Neil Harris' assessment of Wilson, which is right on the money.

There was a reason Cardiff fans were so excited that he signed on the dotted line on deadline day. They knew, if he could stay fit for the large majority of the season, he would make sure that Cardiff are up there and challenging at the end of the season.

That is a lot of pressure to heap on a 23-year-old's shoulders, but there is no doubting he has the ability to handle that sort of expectation, because he has so much talent coursing through that diminutive frame.

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I am a supporter of Harris and firmly believe the players he has brought in have made the squad stronger,however.wasn't it last seasons points tally at this point that made Warnock walk?

I am a supporter of Harris and firmly believe the players he has brought in have made the squad stronger,however.wasn't it last seasons points tally at this point that made Warnock walk?

For me Harris should now stay at least till the end of this season, he has proved himself on a small budget

I am a supporter of Harris and firmly believe the players he has brought in have made the squad stronger,however.wasn't it last seasons points tally at this point that made Warnock walk?

No Warnock left a while back relatively speaking.

Harris took over and we went on a little run.

In fact the similarities are striking. That 4 wins run really did sort him out.

I think he has stumbled across a system that maximizes our players, but that is his job.

The 442 worked with Ralls and Vaulks as the two CM's. Even though we won we looked terrible on Wednesday and always do when Pack plays in a 2 man CM.

The dilemma is where does Wilson go.

He can play LM or RM in a 442 but it doesn't maximize his skill set
He can play the second striker in a 442
He can play right or left forward in a 433 - This allow Pack in a 3 CM
He can play the ACM in a 4231 - Pack can't play in this he is not mobile enough or Wilson becomes another Joe Ralls

So for me the most important position is RB as I believe Ralls and Bacuna in a 4231 with Wilson as the ACM (10) is our best set up. Pack to come on the bolster the middle with 15 ~ 20 to go to slow the game down if we are winning and go 433.

I am a supporter of Harris and firmly believe the players he has brought in have made the squad stronger,however.wasn't it last seasons points tally at this point that made Warnock walk?

For me Harris should now stay at least till the end of this season, he has proved himself on a small budget

Kudos to you Annis,as we know he wasnt your choice as manager,much like myself,but I agree, he has earned the right to at least see the season out(barring a serious dip in results of course!).
Next two are amonst the toughest chsllenges we face,would love to come away with 6 points,but if we dont 4 will be a great return imho.

I am a supporter of Harris and firmly believe the players he has brought in have made the squad stronger,however.wasn't it last seasons points tally at this point that made Warnock walk?

No Warnock left a while back relatively speaking.

Harris took over and we went on a little run.

In fact the similarities are striking. That 4 wins run really did sort him out.

Agree with that; Warnock was 'gone' well before the announcement

We only made the playoffs due to the break which occurred in the season. Neil Harris has alluded to that himself many times as otherwise we would not have had Tomlin for the last part of the season.

Harris will not get lucky again this season.

We only made the playoffs due to the break which occurred in the season. Neil Harris has alluded to that himself many times as otherwise we would not have had Tomlin for the last part of the season.

Harris will not get lucky again this season.

Completely hypothetical.

Last game before lockdown was Barnsley away two nil win. Could have started a run.

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

Hopefully it’s not the same guy who does the scouting!!!

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

Imagine the furore if Cardiff appointed Steve Cooper or Graham Potter?

Complete unknowns. They would be slated before they even started.

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

Imagine the furore if Cardiff appointed Steve Cooper or Graham Potter?

Complete unknowns. They would be slated before they even started.

i have thought that myself..... but they are out there and no matter who you appoint to some degree its a gamble...

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

Imagine the furore if Cardiff appointed Steve Cooper or Graham Potter?

Complete unknowns. They would be slated before they even started.

i have thought that myself..... but they are out there and no matter who you appoint to some degree its a gamble...

I can see it now.

No ambition
Yes man
In to reduce the wage bill
Etc, etc

It’s well and good saying Harris out but could replace him?

Would Eddie Howe fit? I think he’s an incredible manager.

Mark Hughes? Good man manager but sluggish style of play.

Slaven Bilic? Proven man manager. Attractive football. If he hadn’t just come out of a job I reckon we’d have poached him.

well they are some of the more obvious ones but there are potential managers out there who are very well thought of within the game waiting for a chance..Swansea have unearthed a few of the less obvious.. is anyone at our club in the sort of conversations that might point them in the right direction though is another thing all together...

Imagine the furore if Cardiff appointed Steve Cooper or Graham Potter?

Complete unknowns. They would be slated before they even started.

i have thought that myself..... but they are out there and no matter who you appoint to some degree its a gamble...

I can see it now.

No ambition
Yes man
In to reduce the wage bill
Etc, etc

i dont disagree... but for now the ball is in Harris court so im hoping he remains as that would also mean we are doing ok ?

Norwich home and away within a month?

I think he has stumbled across a system that maximizes our players, but that is his job.

The 442 worked with Ralls and Vaulks as the two CM's. Even though we won we looked terrible on Wednesday and always do when Pack plays in a 2 man CM.

The dilemma is where does Wilson go.

He can play LM or RM in a 442 but it doesn't maximize his skill set
He can play the second striker in a 442
He can play right or left forward in a 433 - This allow Pack in a 3 CM
He can play the ACM in a 4231 - Pack can't play in this he is not mobile enough or Wilson becomes another Joe Ralls

So for me the most important position is RB as I believe Ralls and Bacuna in a 4231 with Wilson as the ACM (10) is our best set up. Pack to come on the bolster the middle with 15 ~ 20 to go to slow the game down if we are winning and go 433.

An interesting read, summarising with a set up I’d very much like to see given games together.

We’re overly blessed in the LB department and I often wonder if any of them could switching flanks temporarily.