By Gareth James
Mick McCarthy has promised to kick butts if his Cardiff City players get carried away after continuing their revival under him with a 2-0 victory at Luton Town.
Harry Wilson and Will Vaulks netted with stunning strikes in a four minute spell in the second-half to move City within three points of the Sky Bet Championship play-off spots.
The Bluebirds have now gone six games unbeaten under McCarthy – winning the last four – giving him the best start as a manager since Lennie Lawrence in 2002.
Wilson™️#EFL | #SkyBetChampionshippic.twitter.com/yuFtiCviur
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 16, 2021
“As soon as we got the first goal, a wonderful goal from Harry, it was an uphill battle for them,” said McCarthy.
“We’ve won four on the bounce but lost four on the bounce before. I’m not getting carried away and the players certainly won’t.
“They’ll keep their feet on the ground. Unless they get a kick up the backside from me, then their feet might come off the ground.”
City were 15th and 13 points adrift of the play-offs when Mccarthy took over from Neil Harris last month.
Sixth-placed Bournemouth do have a game in hand but City’s victory sets them up for next week’s trip to the south coast.
After a first-half of few chances, Luton’s James Collins going close for the home side while Vaulks had an effort saved by Simon Sluga, Wilson struck with a typical goal from the Wales international.
Controlling Aden Flint’s knock-down from a long ball with a couple of flicks, Wilson then curled an effort into the bottom corner with his left-foot.
Four minutes later fellow Wales international Vaulks fired home from the edge of the area, his shot taking a slight deflection.
Wilson almost had a second but saw his long range effort tipped over by Sluga.
But City ran out comfortable winners and seemingly relishing life under McCarthy.
The play-offs are looking a lot closer – something unthinkable just a few weeks ago.
McCarthy added: “Another hard earned win and not a particularly pretty game. I thought the game was ebbing away from us in the first-half but we gradually worked our way into it.
“We didn’t start the second half particularly well. Little mistakes brought on corners and a free-kick.
“But we gradually worked our way into it and Harry worked a little bit of space and punished them with the goal.
“If you get the first goal it’s always going to be hard for them. It wasn’t long between the two goals and they had a real uphill battle then.
“There’s so much good in this squad of players. It’s been great, it really is top drawer. It’s been amazing and I’ve loved it.”