BREAKING NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:28 am
" NEIL HARRIS TODAY UPDATES CARDIFF CITY FANS " Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Rotherham Saturday 2nd January 2020 game cancelled due to covid.
NEIL HARRIS:
Joe Bennett latest:
We’re hopeful he’ll be on the training pitch tomorrow.
But as we’ve found in recent weeks it doesn’t mean he’s going to be available.
Benno’s not worked with the group yet, we’re hoping he might be able to work with the group tomorrow but we’ve got no assurances on that so Benno, it probably is a 50/50 call whether he’s going to be available or not.
Neil Harris
Nobody else available who missed out at Norwich?
No. Nobody’s going to be back in the group that was missing until the New Year.
" READ ALL NEIL HARRIS UPDATES BELOW " Brentford...will be a bit like Norwich in playing. Pass the ball for fun?
Yes, a well rounded team, Brentford, how they progressed over the last three or four years, they've been a good footballing side.
A team that are on a long unbeaten run at the moment, in good form for getting through to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
We’re mindful of that and we have to be at our best, we have to be better than we were at Norwich.
I think Norwich, from what I saw the other day, are a cut above in the league this year. I thought they were better than Leeds last year. The praise that Leeds took last year was immense - I think Norwich are better from what I’ve seen, watching them at the weekend but also watching their previous five games.
We know Brentford are going to be a good side as well.
We’ve seen Stoke recently, Watford recently, good sides
What I expect is my group, after a week’s - I wouldn’t say refreshment, from a busy schedule - but having a quieter week, I expect to see more legs in my team this week.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:29 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Does there have to be better to come from your team?
I don't think you can compare us to Norwich. I think it’s unfair to compare anybody in the division to Norwich, Watford and Bournemouth.
None of them lost many players coming out of the Premier League last year, I think they probably would have all expected to lose more players, other than financial constraints due to Covid.
So I don’t think anyone can compare to them. They are good sides with a very healthy squad.
Swansea were better than us on the day, granted. We were better than Stoke and beat them, obviously played very well at Watford to win the game. I think a lot of those teams have been more consistent than us over the course of the season from day one.
That’s obvious with the points totals.
Is there more to come?
Yes. There does need to be more to come. Certainly, consistency is key. But also when I look back at Saturday and however good Norwich were, we looked leggy, certainly watching it back. My assumption after the game was correct, it looked like a game too far for us.
When I take Kieffer Moore, Lee Tomlin, Joe Bennet and Jordi Osei-Tutu - four players all with fantastic attributes - out of my team, then there’s going to be a bit of a gulf between the very, very best in the division.
Getting everybody fit over the coming weeks will be vital for us to improve.
Certainly, consistency will be key for us in the second half of the season, as it was last year.
Neil Harris
Does there have to be better to come from your team?
I don't think you can compare us to Norwich. I think it’s unfair to compare anybody in the division to Norwich, Watford and Bournemouth.
None of them lost many players coming out of the Premier League last year, I think they probably would have all expected to lose more players, other than financial constraints due to Covid.
So I don’t think anyone can compare to them. They are good sides with a very healthy squad.
Swansea were better than us on the day, granted. We were better than Stoke and beat them, obviously played very well at Watford to win the game. I think a lot of those teams have been more consistent than us over the course of the season from day one.
That’s obvious with the points totals.
Is there more to come?
Yes. There does need to be more to come. Certainly, consistency is key. But also when I look back at Saturday and however good Norwich were, we looked leggy, certainly watching it back. My assumption after the game was correct, it looked like a game too far for us.
When I take Kieffer Moore, Lee Tomlin, Joe Bennet and Jordi Osei-Tutu - four players all with fantastic attributes - out of my team, then there’s going to be a bit of a gulf between the very, very best in the division.
Getting everybody fit over the coming weeks will be vital for us to improve.
Certainly, consistency will be key for us in the second half of the season, as it was last year.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:31 am
Sat Dec 26 CARDIFF CITY v BRENTFORD
Tue Dec 29 Wycombe Wanderers A
Sat Jan 02 Rotherham United A CANCELLED / COVID
Sat Jan 09 FA Cup 3rd rd Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City 12pm live on BT
Sat Jan 16 NORWICH CITY H
7pm Wed Jan 20 QUEENS PARK RANGERS H
Tue Dec 29 Wycombe Wanderers A
Sat Jan 02 Rotherham United A CANCELLED / COVID
Sat Jan 09 FA Cup 3rd rd Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City 12pm live on BT
Sat Jan 16 NORWICH CITY H
7pm Wed Jan 20 QUEENS PARK RANGERS H
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:32 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Can you do what you did last year? Is there capacity for a late surge?
Yeah, definitely. We’re not halfway through the season yet.
I’ll have a look on January 2 at 5pm after Rotherham, how many points we’ve got for the games we’ve played - presuming we complete our fixtures up to then.
I’ll look at that. I have a total in my mind where I hoped we would be by now, certainly I had a total in my mind after the first 10 games where I hoped we would be. We’ll assess it then.
Compared to where we were last year, we’re in a good place. That consistency will be vital, that we put a run of games together hopefully slightly quicker than we did last season when we waited right until the end.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get into the top two or top six, more realistically for us, as long as by May 8 we’re there.
We saw it last year. We got there with two games to go. Swansea got there in the 98th minute of their game.
Neither team made it to the next level but that’s the ultimate aim, to make sure we’re in the top six.
Neil Harris
Can you do what you did last year? Is there capacity for a late surge?
Yeah, definitely. We’re not halfway through the season yet.
I’ll have a look on January 2 at 5pm after Rotherham, how many points we’ve got for the games we’ve played - presuming we complete our fixtures up to then.
I’ll look at that. I have a total in my mind where I hoped we would be by now, certainly I had a total in my mind after the first 10 games where I hoped we would be. We’ll assess it then.
Compared to where we were last year, we’re in a good place. That consistency will be vital, that we put a run of games together hopefully slightly quicker than we did last season when we waited right until the end.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get into the top two or top six, more realistically for us, as long as by May 8 we’re there.
We saw it last year. We got there with two games to go. Swansea got there in the 98th minute of their game.
Neither team made it to the next level but that’s the ultimate aim, to make sure we’re in the top six.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:34 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Thought about the January window yet?
Of course, some ideas that I might have, areas I think we might need to improve.
There’s been talks behind the scenes, spoke to clubs and agents and people already and started getting the ball moving.
As we know, not hitting January 1 yet, there’s a lot of people saying ‘somebody might be available, might not’.
Are we going to get positive tests? Are we going to get injuries over Christmas?
It’s the same scenario as every late December, start of January. A lot of ifs and maybes and then you put in the fact that there’s very, very little money within the game, Championship, League One, League Two in particular but the Premier League also.
Everyone would do well to heed these words: very little money.
So it’s not going to be spending mega bucks including ourselves.
You've got the covid scenario as well. We’re going to have to be reactive.
We’ve got an interesting centre half situation. We’re going to be reactive but I have a picture in my mind.
That will be based on those factors. Nothing is going to happen in the next seven days for something to be closer other than getting our ducks in a row.
Neil Harris
Thought about the January window yet?
Of course, some ideas that I might have, areas I think we might need to improve.
There’s been talks behind the scenes, spoke to clubs and agents and people already and started getting the ball moving.
As we know, not hitting January 1 yet, there’s a lot of people saying ‘somebody might be available, might not’.
Are we going to get positive tests? Are we going to get injuries over Christmas?
It’s the same scenario as every late December, start of January. A lot of ifs and maybes and then you put in the fact that there’s very, very little money within the game, Championship, League One, League Two in particular but the Premier League also.
Everyone would do well to heed these words: very little money.
So it’s not going to be spending mega bucks including ourselves.
You've got the covid scenario as well. We’re going to have to be reactive.
We’ve got an interesting centre half situation. We’re going to be reactive but I have a picture in my mind.
That will be based on those factors. Nothing is going to happen in the next seven days for something to be closer other than getting our ducks in a row.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:35 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Will covid affect January? Clubs reluctant to let players go on loan?
Financially is number one. If we’re going to be in a scenario where clubs are in and out of tiers. You’ve got to fit those three games in somewhere.
You could go Saturday to Tuesday all month, you need a squad.
I'd like to think escaped pretty well during the period, maybe not Norwich, but even getting through Birmingham with limited numbers.
If we had that period again I would like more strength in depth.
Covid is playing a massive thought process to everybody’s transfer window.
You want a bigger squad because there isn’t any money.
You need to keep the players in the building.
We live in unprecedented times but this transfer window is certainly going to be one very different to any other.
Neil Harris
Will covid affect January? Clubs reluctant to let players go on loan?
Financially is number one. If we’re going to be in a scenario where clubs are in and out of tiers. You’ve got to fit those three games in somewhere.
You could go Saturday to Tuesday all month, you need a squad.
I'd like to think escaped pretty well during the period, maybe not Norwich, but even getting through Birmingham with limited numbers.
If we had that period again I would like more strength in depth.
Covid is playing a massive thought process to everybody’s transfer window.
You want a bigger squad because there isn’t any money.
You need to keep the players in the building.
We live in unprecedented times but this transfer window is certainly going to be one very different to any other.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:37 am
NEIL HARRIS:
What are your wishes for 2021?
Everyone to be healthy, I'd like to see a more prosperous year for the whole of the UK on a financial and health. Fans back in the stadia.I think the main thing from a player and management perspective, to have those fans back will be huge.
It’s needed. The bigger picture is we can move past this pandemic. We get round to the spring.
Neil Harris
What are your wishes for 2021?
Everyone to be healthy, I'd like to see a more prosperous year for the whole of the UK on a financial and health. Fans back in the stadia.I think the main thing from a player and management perspective, to have those fans back will be huge.
It’s needed. The bigger picture is we can move past this pandemic. We get round to the spring.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:38 am
Neil Harris delivers frank assessment as Cardiff City torn apart by Norwich City.
NEIL HARRIS:
"Clubs like Norwich have got a more in-depth squad, a better quality squad, built from being in the Premier League last season and that's what we aspire to."
"Norwich have got some experience and some real energy in their play and you look at the changes they could make and it's quite phenomenal really,compared to our small squad."
"This was a game too far, my players were tired, they gave their all and i cant fault them, but our small squad showed on Saturday."
"We looked leggy, we looked laboured at times. We made errors that aren't normally at our levels."
"When you're playing against good teams, you can't give them opportunities like we did, especially at the start of the second half.
"I can't fault the players. Lack of effort? Not at all.
"They had Premier League players."
"They have some real energy in their play and you look at the changes they could make and it's quite phenomenal really, we cant compete with squads like that."
"That's what we want to be ourselves, a top-six side,I just felt, without criticising my players, the energy levels weren't there at all."
"We didn't get close enough to players, that half a yard makes a massive difference against top sides and we weren't able to do that."
"In January I will look to strengthen our squad."
NEIL HARRIS:
"Clubs like Norwich have got a more in-depth squad, a better quality squad, built from being in the Premier League last season and that's what we aspire to."
"Norwich have got some experience and some real energy in their play and you look at the changes they could make and it's quite phenomenal really,compared to our small squad."
"This was a game too far, my players were tired, they gave their all and i cant fault them, but our small squad showed on Saturday."
"We looked leggy, we looked laboured at times. We made errors that aren't normally at our levels."
"When you're playing against good teams, you can't give them opportunities like we did, especially at the start of the second half.
"I can't fault the players. Lack of effort? Not at all.
"They had Premier League players."
"They have some real energy in their play and you look at the changes they could make and it's quite phenomenal really, we cant compete with squads like that."
"That's what we want to be ourselves, a top-six side,I just felt, without criticising my players, the energy levels weren't there at all."
"We didn't get close enough to players, that half a yard makes a massive difference against top sides and we weren't able to do that."
"In January I will look to strengthen our squad."
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:38 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Thought about the January window yet?
Of course, some ideas that I might have, areas I think we might need to improve.
There’s been talks behind the scenes, spoke to clubs and agents and people already and started getting the ball moving.
As we know, not hitting January 1 yet, there’s a lot of people saying ‘somebody might be available, might not’.
Are we going to get positive tests? Are we going to get injuries over Christmas?
It’s the same scenario as every late December, start of January. A lot of ifs and maybes and then you put in the fact that there’s very, very little money within the game, Championship, League One, League Two in particular but the Premier League also.
Everyone would do well to heed these words: very little money.
So it’s not going to be spending mega bucks including ourselves.
You've got the covid scenario as well. We’re going to have to be reactive.
We’ve got an interesting centre half situation. We’re going to be reactive but I have a picture in my mind.
That will be based on those factors. Nothing is going to happen in the next seven days for something to be closer other than getting our ducks in a row.
Neil Harris
Thought about the January window yet?
Of course, some ideas that I might have, areas I think we might need to improve.
There’s been talks behind the scenes, spoke to clubs and agents and people already and started getting the ball moving.
As we know, not hitting January 1 yet, there’s a lot of people saying ‘somebody might be available, might not’.
Are we going to get positive tests? Are we going to get injuries over Christmas?
It’s the same scenario as every late December, start of January. A lot of ifs and maybes and then you put in the fact that there’s very, very little money within the game, Championship, League One, League Two in particular but the Premier League also.
Everyone would do well to heed these words: very little money.
So it’s not going to be spending mega bucks including ourselves.
You've got the covid scenario as well. We’re going to have to be reactive.
We’ve got an interesting centre half situation. We’re going to be reactive but I have a picture in my mind.
That will be based on those factors. Nothing is going to happen in the next seven days for something to be closer other than getting our ducks in a row.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:49 am
NEIL HARRIS:
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:56 am
NEIL HARRIS:
Given the pandemic is stepped up with new strain, is there a case for weekly testing?
I think there’d need to be support for clubs.
I'm not talking just League Two clubs, I’m talking about all clubs in the Football League would need support in paying for testing.
I think if society is worsening which it has done over the past weeks, then testing within football clubs again would be a sensible measure.
I don't feel in danger of what we do day to day because the measures here and what the Covid officer has put in place are immense and we have absolutely followed it.
What we do compared to what other clubs do, we are above and beyond - from what I’ve seen. In my opinion from what I’ve seen we are above and beyond with the safety measures.
We do feel safe in our environment but it’s not just the environment that we live in. We live in everyday life.
If there was more testing introduced I would 100% support it. But again, when we’re in our own bubble and own environment, I feel safe.
Neil Harris
Given the pandemic is stepped up with new strain, is there a case for weekly testing?
I think there’d need to be support for clubs.
I'm not talking just League Two clubs, I’m talking about all clubs in the Football League would need support in paying for testing.
I think if society is worsening which it has done over the past weeks, then testing within football clubs again would be a sensible measure.
I don't feel in danger of what we do day to day because the measures here and what the Covid officer has put in place are immense and we have absolutely followed it.
What we do compared to what other clubs do, we are above and beyond - from what I’ve seen. In my opinion from what I’ve seen we are above and beyond with the safety measures.
We do feel safe in our environment but it’s not just the environment that we live in. We live in everyday life.
If there was more testing introduced I would 100% support it. But again, when we’re in our own bubble and own environment, I feel safe.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:50 pm
Benkovic talking point
What in the world to do with Filip Benkovic?
The on-loan centre-back played for the under-23s yesterday against QPR but hasn't featured yet for Harris in the first team.
What in the world to do with Filip Benkovic?
The on-loan centre-back played for the under-23s yesterday against QPR but hasn't featured yet for Harris in the first team.
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:11 pm
Brentford...will be a bit like Norwich in playing. Pass the ball for fun?
Yes, a well rounded team, Brentford, how they progressed over the last three or four years, they've been a good footballing side.
A team that are on a long unbeaten run at the moment, in good form for getting through to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
We’re mindful of that and we have to be at our best, we have to be better than we were at Norwich.
I think Norwich, from what I saw the other day, are a cut above in the league this year. I thought they were better than Leeds last year. The praise that Leeds took last year was immense - I think Norwich are better from what I’ve seen, watching them at the weekend but also watching their previous five games.
We know Brentford are going to be a good side as well.
We’ve seen Stoke recently, Watford recently, good sides
What I expect is my group, after a week’s - I wouldn’t say refreshment, from a busy schedule - but having a quieter week, I expect to see more legs in my team this week.
Neil Harris
Yes, a well rounded team, Brentford, how they progressed over the last three or four years, they've been a good footballing side.
A team that are on a long unbeaten run at the moment, in good form for getting through to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
We’re mindful of that and we have to be at our best, we have to be better than we were at Norwich.
I think Norwich, from what I saw the other day, are a cut above in the league this year. I thought they were better than Leeds last year. The praise that Leeds took last year was immense - I think Norwich are better from what I’ve seen, watching them at the weekend but also watching their previous five games.
We know Brentford are going to be a good side as well.
We’ve seen Stoke recently, Watford recently, good sides
What I expect is my group, after a week’s - I wouldn’t say refreshment, from a busy schedule - but having a quieter week, I expect to see more legs in my team this week.
Neil Harris
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Re: NEIL HARRIS:BREAKING
Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:29 pm
Joe Bennett latest
We’re hopeful he’ll be on the training pitch tomorrow.
But as we’ve found in recent weeks it doesn’t mean he’s going to be available.
Benno’s not worked with the group yet, we’re hoping he might be able to work with the group tomorrow but we’ve got no assurances on that so Benno, it probably is a 50/50 call whether he’s going to be available or not.
Neil Harris
We’re hopeful he’ll be on the training pitch tomorrow.
But as we’ve found in recent weeks it doesn’t mean he’s going to be available.
Benno’s not worked with the group yet, we’re hoping he might be able to work with the group tomorrow but we’ve got no assurances on that so Benno, it probably is a 50/50 call whether he’s going to be available or not.
Neil Harris
Re: NEIL HARRIS:BREAKING
Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:36 pm
You’ve probably seen Paul Lambert’s comments on EFL and testing...he’s saying lives are being put at risk because there’s not enough testing… could the EFL be doing more? Where do you stand?
NEIL HARRIS:
I understand Paul’s concerns and when somebody of Paul’s experience and general standing and stature within the game speaks, then we all do well to listen.
I understand his point of view.
Could we do more? I think we can always do more.
I think where we've been since we were last tested, is if anyone in the group shows signs of Covid symptoms, then the individual and the group need to be tested.
We’ve not been in that scenario, touch wood. We’ve been fine and healthy.
I think football certainly outside the Premier League has followed society again. If you’re fine you just carry on doing what you’re doing, being extremely careful.
We are extremely disciplined and careful within the club. There are extreme protocols to follow, which we do. If there is any danger of illness or infection then we are tested.
I think what Paul was saying was he would want to see testing weekly if not bi-weekly. You can’t argue with that because that’s even safer.
But then there’s a lot that comes into that, cost is one of them.
Neil Harris
NEIL HARRIS:
I understand Paul’s concerns and when somebody of Paul’s experience and general standing and stature within the game speaks, then we all do well to listen.
I understand his point of view.
Could we do more? I think we can always do more.
I think where we've been since we were last tested, is if anyone in the group shows signs of Covid symptoms, then the individual and the group need to be tested.
We’ve not been in that scenario, touch wood. We’ve been fine and healthy.
I think football certainly outside the Premier League has followed society again. If you’re fine you just carry on doing what you’re doing, being extremely careful.
We are extremely disciplined and careful within the club. There are extreme protocols to follow, which we do. If there is any danger of illness or infection then we are tested.
I think what Paul was saying was he would want to see testing weekly if not bi-weekly. You can’t argue with that because that’s even safer.
But then there’s a lot that comes into that, cost is one of them.
Neil Harris
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Re: BREAKING NEIL HARRIS:
Wed Dec 23, 2020 5:18 pm
What are your wishes for 2021?
Everyone to be healthy, I'd like to see a more prosperous year for the whole of the UK on a financial and health. Fans back in the stadia.I think the main thing from a player and management perspective, to have those fans back will be huge.
It’s needed. The bigger picture is we can move past this pandemic. We get round to the spring.
Neil Harris
Everyone to be healthy, I'd like to see a more prosperous year for the whole of the UK on a financial and health. Fans back in the stadia.I think the main thing from a player and management perspective, to have those fans back will be huge.
It’s needed. The bigger picture is we can move past this pandemic. We get round to the spring.
Neil Harris
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