By Jack Cook
Neil Harris knows that Cardiff City’s Severnside derby with Bristol City on Friday is like no other game.
And the Bluebirds boss is determined his side come out of the Championship clash with the bragging rights as they look to move up the table before the international break.
“The bottom line is this isn’t like any other game,” said Harris of tomorrow’s game at Cardiff City Stadium.
“Swansea fixtures and Bristol City fixtures are about winning and getting bragging rights for the opponents. It’s just about the game.”
Former Millwall boss Harris will next week celebrate being in charge of the club for a year since succeeding Neil Warnock.
And he is keen to celebrate another victory over the Robins who City beat 1-0 at Ashton Gate last July on their way to the play-offs.
The 43-year-old admitted: “It’s been a little bit crazy and surreal, coming into a group that was different, off the pitch as well as on it. Have had to work extremely hard at tidying it up.
“Got a group of extremely good lads who are extremely professional. We have had a period where we have got better and better from New Year onwards. On the whole, it’s been enjoyable, but time has flown, I’ve got to be honest.
“As you get older, time goes a lot quicker. But it’s been enjoyable and there’s so much more to come. That starts tomorrow evening.”
Warnock’s reign as Cardiff manager ended after a 1-0 defeat by Bristol City last November.
Now in charge of Middlesbrough, Warnock had claimed City had not really changed their style of play since he left.
“Did he have his eyes shut?,” Harris responded.
“I’m not going to get dragged into what people say about other people’s teams. Huge overhaul in the playing squad. Average age come down.
“It’s not always just about style of play, it’s about club philosophy and what fans want to see. Seeing a slight change in style of play. Neil was alluding to long throws and big man up front.
“Why should that change? Fans want to see blood and thunder. I speak about winning duels because that’s what Neil Harris wants to see and demands. I want my team to find different ways of getting the ball up the pitch, building passes.
“It’s always about playing through teams and if you can’t do that you go over the top.
“We are evolving as a group. It’s about the bigger picture and I feel we are improving all the time.”
The Bluebirds will be in good spirits after getting their first win at home this season with the 3-0 mid-week defeat of Barnsley.
Now Harris believes his side can build on that win after their poor performance beforehand against QPR.
City are 13th in the table just four points behind seventh-placed Bristol City.
“We used the defeat at QPR as a real positive in getting a reaction on Tuesday. It wasn’t just the result and performance on Tuesday, it was the response from QPR.
“Everyone says the same thing, we look like we are nearly there. We have to back it up in the coming 30 hours but certainly the next two to three weeks.
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“We go into this local derby in great spirits and lads are hugely looking forward to it.”
Cardiff will be without Lee Tomlin, Greg Cunningham and Jordi Osei-Tutu due to injury, but will be hoping for another key performance from Harry Wilson after scoring in midweek after returning from injury.
“Firstly, it’s not about putting too much pressure on one young man’s shoulders. Being respectful to the other players too.
“He has a moment of magic. To be competitive in those top divisions you have to have those individuals in your team.
“Harry, not just on the pitch, off the pitch he is extremely infectious, and I think he will go from strength to strength for us.”
Youngster Joel Bagan has signed a contract extension this week until 2023 after his impressive performances when he has been called in to cover at left-back because of injuries to Joe Bennett and Greg Cunningham.
And Harris predicts a bright future for the 19-year-old academy product.
Harris said: “At that age, every month, every week is important. It’s not just about on the pitch learning, match-day involvement, video analysis meetings.
“We as a staff, me personally, us as a football club, think he’s got a big future. He’s an intelligent footballer and he’s athletic as well which is vitally important in the modern era.
“He’s grown, not in size, in stature, in personality, in his play. Sometimes, in time, you get to see them over a period, sometimes they start slowly and grow, sometimes they start like a house on fire and fall away.
“He’s played two games, that’s good for a player of that age in the modern game. It’s important the club tie him down to a long deal because ultimately that’s the future of the club.”