KIEFFER IS KILLING IT
Cardiff season saved by Moore
NEIL HARRIS has Kieffer Moore to thank for an incredible sevenday Cardiff turnaround.
The Bluebirds boss was under immense pressure a week ago but his big summer signing’s four goals in that time has suddenly changed the mood.
And now the Welshmen are just four points off the play-off spots after Moore’s first- half effort ensured Watford fans’ return to Vicarage Road fell flat.
Harris said: “It’s a big result and probably the most enjoyable since I’ve been in charge. Kieffer is not just about goals, he’s not a typical 20 or 30 goals- aseason man, although he’s lethal at the moment.
“We ’ v e had a lot of words with him on the training pitch and in the office with the laptop about his positional play, second balls and balls around the box.
“At the moment, the ball is finding him.
“There’s a good mentality in the dressing room where the guys know when they need to step up and that’s what they have done in the last seven days.
“People fear Cardiff City. This was a statement.”
Watford, whose 2,000 s u pp o r t e r s we r e introduced to boss Vladimir Ivic for the first time before kick-off, were especially poor in the first half as they were beaten at home for the first time this season.
Cardiff produced a warning sign as Sean Morrison headed wide from a Joe Ralls corner.
But the Bluebirds, dominant at set pieces, made their chance count at another Ralls set piece.
This time it was Moore, who joined from Wigan in the summer for around £ 2million, who reacted quickest to fire home his eighth of the season as Watford failed to clear. The frustrated Hornets only started playing when Domingos Quina and Will Hughes climbed off the bench in a double change.
Quina was immediat ely denied by a superb block by Morrison while Ismaila Sarr powered over.
Kiko Femenia then saw a shot pushed wide by keeper Alex Smithies.
But Cardiff were largely untroubled as they held on to leave Watford outside the top six.
Ivic said: “It’s not good for sure, no-one is happy.
“If we played the first 45 minutes like the second we would not have lost the game. We need to be able to play 90 minutes.
“Maybe some of the players felt the pressure from the fans.”