CARDIFF’S CHARACTER CHEERS NEW MAN HARRIS

BUT SWANSEA BOSS COOPER VOICES CONCERN AFTER ANOTHER SETBACK AT THE LIBERTY: SPORT PULLOUT

NEIL Harris was delighted to see his Cardiff City side come from 2-0 down to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw at Charlton on his Bluebirds managerial debut. Former Millwall boss Harris made a quick return to south-east London after replacing Neil Warnock during the international break and might well have been questioning his choice as first half goals from Conor Gallagher and Jonathan Leko left Cardiff in trouble at the break.

His mood was hardly improved by Junior Hoilett’s poor early second-half penalty, which was easily saved by Addicks keeper Dillon Phillips.

But Harris’ afternoon quickly took a turn for the better when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute before substitute Lee Tomlin grabbed a 73rd-minute leveller.

The newly-appointed Cardiff manager said: “Coming from behind it was a point gained definitely.

“I think it became a bit like a basketball match in the second half, which isn’t really how I want to coach and manage.

“At half-time the group was a little bit deflated. I think we felt a little bit sorry for ourselves because we certainly didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down.”

Asked what impressed him most about the second-half recovery, Harris replied: “The character.

“It was a tough week last week for the players in the sense of losing the manager and a guy who is hugely respected within the club, to try and take on my ideas, the environment I want to create and the discipline I want in the group.

“To be 2-0 down is a bit of a kick in the proverbials to be fair and you hope for a reaction at half-time.

“I asked for a reaction, I got it and I’ve seen the group want to be successful, they want to learn.”

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