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One year of Neil Harris: What's happened at Cardiff City,

Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:37 pm

One year of Neil Harris: What's happened at Cardiff City, the big strides forward and what's still left to fix

The Bluebirds manager was unveiled at Hensol Castle a year ago to the day; here, we take a look at what was said, what has been implemented and the things which still need to be addressed


Neil Harris was unveiled as Cardiff City manager a year ago today


Thursday 19th November 2020

By Glen Williams




One year ago to the day, Neil Harris strode into Hensol Castle for his unveiling as Cardiff City manager.

So much has happened since then, both on and off the pitch, and there is, of course, much still to be done moving forward.

Harris took Cardiff from the bottom end of mid-table to fifth position in the Championship standings, eventually falling short in the play-off semi-finals against Fulham.

Make no bones about it, Harris has faced his fair share of naysayers, right from the outset. There were many who were left underwhelmed by his appointment and those who called for the axe even as quickly as the turn of the year following a string of mediocre results.

There have also been those murmurings again after a flat start to this campaign, but it is probably safe to say those voices, though loud, are in the minority, because most Bluebirds fans, while rightly having high expectations, recognise the good work and foundations which have been laid in the last 12 months.

Since his appointment, only one team has lost fewer Championship games, only two have won more, only three teams have scored more goals and only four have conceded fewer.

It might not have been pretty at times, but those figures stack up. It has built up the credit in the bank and many appreciate that.

There is no denying, though, that it is a crucial period now in the lead-up to Christmas, because Cardiff's results must pick up if they are to propel themselves into the top-six mix come the New Year. They certainly have the weaponry in their armoury to do it, but the positive summer acquisitions and established, experienced players belie their league position of 15th.

But to gain a greater oversight into how far the club have come over the last year and how far they have still left to go, we revisit what the manager said in that suite at Hensol Castle and see what has been delivered and what remains a work-in-progress...





Q. What are your football principles on and off the field?

Neil Harris: "There’s been a wonderful recent history at this club, for everybody. So I will bring humility to the club, huge energy and excitement about the group. Principles on the pitch, to be the manager the same way I played. Wholehearted, aggressive, passing the ball, getting it forward the right times. Working with a group of players who have been recruited previously, it’s not a revolution overnight. We want to be an aggressive team."

By and large, Harris had managed with humility. There have been a few occasions when he has showed his anger on the sideline or stormed into a press conference, when quite often that is what he would have liked to do.

For the most part he has handled defeat well, although there has been the odd occasion when he has been teeming with frustration or ire.

There have been glimpses of wholeheartedness and aggression, notably pre and post-lockdown, but that edge, that gnarl which we had become accustomed to from Cardiff City, has just evaded them so far this season. Whether that is down to burnout or a short turnaround from last term it is unclear.

What is clear, though, is the Bluebirds need that bit back between their teeth soon if they are to start stringing together results once again.




Q. Footballing style is deemed to be Warnock-like?

"What you’re referring to is the club previously and the way we played (Millwall). Getting the ball forward quickly, some principles I will stick to, some I want to adjust now. How I’ve come through as a coach I want to stick to some of them. I don’t think there is a Neil Warnock mark II. I will be respectful to the players I’ve got. There has to be a process of change, it won’t be overnight. I want to adjust the mindset of the players, not just one style of play. Top-six finish is ultimately the aim, I won’t make any promises because we have to earn the right. It’s not easy when you come out of the Premier League to get there. You get fans over by winning games of football and being yourself."




A little bit of a mixed bag to unpick here.

Neil Warnock a few weeks back claimed that Cardiff had not changed much since he left, on the evidence of that 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, but that was probably a little unfair, especially when you think back to when City dismantled Boro up at the Riverside post-lockdown with some scintillating football in a 3-1 win.

Plus, as Cardiff fans know all too well, when you play against a Neil Warnock team you can very easily get dragged into those dogfights. Either way, Harris refuted the claim.

But while a number of performances stick in the head in which Cardiff dominated and played with a swagger - Huddersfield away, Preston away, Boro away, Hull City home - they are yet to really nail down a style of play, per se.


Harris continues to speak of finding different ways to attack and varying the manner in which they create chances and score goals, but the lack of continuity and structure in how they attack appears to be hindering them somewhat.

At the back end of last term, Cardiff were excellent at utilising the set piece and the counter-attack and were resolute in midfield and at the back.

Now, though, they have slightly more possession of the ball and play more passes, but seemingly create fewer clear-cut chances to score.
Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore have been brilliant signings, while Sheyi Ojo has also added to the attack. But there is a question mark over whether the old and the new have not quite melded together in a perfect harmony just yet. A work-in-progress for the minute.

The tools are there, but the structure and confidence from the tail end of last seasons seems to have dissipated.

And the back end of that statement, aiming to launch City into the play-offs from 14th position, is a resounding green tick. An incredible second half of the campaign made sure of that.

And in doing so, he also ticked off the last piece of that statement, winning over a large proportion of the doubters. He needs to rally his troops once again, though, if he is to keep the wolf from the door in the coming months.






Q. Plans for the academy?

"The academy, I want to work close with the academy. You look at the squad and I certainly want to build that relationship with the academy. Some plans moving forward with the club to progress that and produce a pathway to come through."

Far greater attention has been paid to the emerging talent at Cardiff City over the last 12 months than it did in the previous three years, of that we can be sure.

While the results will not be evident straight away, the long-term goal has certainly taken shape.

Harris has chopped down the size of the senior squad, letting 12 players go in two transfer windows, while bringing six players in during the last window, albeit only two permanently.

He has appointed Steve Morison, someone he knows well from Millwall, as the club's under-23s coach and told him to play the best young players, whether they are 16,17 or 18 in that team to give them the best chance of exposure to better football.

That was not the case during the previous regime, when the under-23s were clogged up by a number of players who were 20-plus or first teamers not getting a game because of the bloated senior squad.

Now, the debris has cleared and youngsters are getting the chance to train regularly with the first team. Joel Bagan has been given his Championship bow this season, and did brilliantly it must be said, while Mark Harris and Tom Sang, prior to his Cheltenham loan, have featured in matchday squads.


Kieron Evans, Isaak Davies, Tavio d'Almeida and George Ratcliffe are all regulars in senior training, too. There have also been encouraging developments with some new youngsters, 16 and 17-year-olds, in recent weeks as well, which the club hopes will bear fruit in years to come.
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