HARRIS: WE HAVE TO KEEP CALM TO SUCCEED

FOR Neil Harris, the South Wales derby is not yet a must-win game. After a hellish fortnight, however, it is one the Cardiff manager can ill afford to lose. Thumped 6-1 by QPR on New Year’s Day, the Bluebirds then scrambled a 2-2 draw at home to Carlisle in the FA Cup. The Cumbrians, 21st in League Two at kick-off, led 2-0 at halftime.

Having led Cardiff to three straight victories upon taking over from Neil Warnock in early November, Harris is now presiding over a run of one win in six. If Cardiff’s sceptical fans granted any sort of honeymoon period, it is most certainly over. This is either the best time to play Swansea or the worst.

“I don’t think it’s anything to be scared of,” said winger Junior Hoillet. “It’s a great opportunity to rectify things and a great match to be involved in. “The mood after QPR was horrible. Bad. Everyone was down and ashamed. But everyone came in the next day to work harder. Everyone has put in that little bit extra off the pitch. We want to put things right.”

Harris, too, insisted his side would thrive on the derby atmosphere.

“I’ve been left in no uncertain terms from people around here what it means,” he said. “As a manager, it doesn’t get any better, to be honest.

“In training this week, I had to stop it short because the intensity was so good. They are ready.

“But we also have to be calm. That is my message to the players. We have to be competitive and aggressive in our performances, but we have to make calm decisions. That is how we will win the game.”