Bluebirds facing ‘huge game’ in their pursuit of a place in play-offs
CARDIFF City manager Neil Harris has prepared the Bluebirds for a ‘huge game’ when they travel to relegation-threatened Barnsley today.
The Tykes sit 23rd in the Sky Bet Championship and five points from safety, while Cardiff are hunting a spot in the play-offs at the other end of the table.
It’s a match that could have major ramifications for both sides’ seasons and Harris is well aware of that.
“It’s a huge game as both teams need the points. Barnsley are scrapping and we’re trying to close the gap with the top six,“he said.
“It’s a mini-season {with 10 games left}. We’ve got a chunk of points we’ve still got to make up.
“We’re chasing the pack, but we’re desperate to get into that play-off race.”
Harris is hoping the week-long break since their battling 2-2 draw with promotion-chasing Brentford will reap rewards.
“We’ve had a little bit more space between games now than maybe we’ve had recently. A full week between Brentford and
Barnsley,” he said.
“It has helped us on the training field. The final 75 minutes of football against Brentford and the training we’ve had since has been tremendous.
“We’ve talked about consistency a few times now. We need to find that over 90 minutes. We’ve seen it at times this season, but not often enough.”
And on-loan winger Albert Adomah agreed with his manager, knowing that a good start is imperative if they are to get anything from their trip north.
“I know Barnsley are struggling, but they have something to play for. It’s whoever turns up on the day and we have to start well,” he said.
“Before their last game, they had won three in a row, but hopefully we can impose ourselves on the game and take the three points.”
Four members of Cardiff’s first team squad were involved in U23 action on Monday afternoon, gaining some competitive match minutes ahead of the run-in.
Sol Bamba, Neil Etheridge and Brad Smith completed the 90 minutes, but sadly there was less positive news regarding forward Isaac Vassell, who was forced off through injury in first half.
Harris said: “It’s horrible. We’ve just had the news that his season is over. It’s the same injury (quad), but a different leg this time. Your heart goes out to him. He’s a young lad that just wants to play football. It’s been great having him in the group and seeing him grow in recent months. It’s a shame.
“Unfortunately for him at the moment, he’s having no luck. Any first-team minutes this season would’ve been a bonus for him this season. But now we will work hard to get him involved in preseason.
“NML and Greg Cunningham have been back on the grass this week, just jogging. It is great to see them out there.
“Fingers crossed they continue steadily. Greg is another we sadly won’t see this season and want to get back on the start line for preseason.
“I’ve enjoyed watching him play over the years.
“Mendez has an outside chance of getting back this season, but there is no pressure or expectation from us.”
Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber, meanwhile, has pinpointed Cardiff’s strengths at setpieces that his team will have to sope with at Oakwell.
As his side bid to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Reading, Struber said: “Cardiff are very difficult opponents.
“They are strong, especially in the set-pieces and throw-ins and I think, for us, this is a big job on