We’re there to be shot at, says Harris
CARDIFF City boss Neil Harris insists his Bluebirds still have the edge over rivals Swansea City heading into another crucial weekend in the Championship playoff race.
Cardiff remain in sixth place with just four matches remaining, despite suffering their first post-lockdown loss, 3-2 at home to Blackburn on Tuesday night.
And just 24 hours later Steve Cooper’s Swans closed the gap to just one point as they climbed to seventh with a 3-1 win at Birmingham
Cardiff face a tough test at fellow promotion chasers Fulham tonight, while the Swans have to wait until Sunday before welcoming leaders Leeds United, who last night beat Stoke 5-0, to the Liberty Stadium.
However, Harris was keen to highlight that the Bluebirds remain in the box seat to secure a top-six place going in to their clash with Scott Parker’s side.
“Nothing has changed since probably February,” said Harris.
“Swansea were top of the league for a period at the start and were going great guns and fell away, but like us found a way to find some form and get back in the mix. Swansea haven’t been out of it. Teams haven’t been out of it, it’s just about finding consistency.
“We’re in sixth spot because we got 10 points in five games. So we’re going great guns. Ultimately, Swansea, Derby, Preston, Blackburn, Millwall, it doesn’t matter to us, we just want sixth spot.
“All that’s changed is that the team behind us is slightly closer.
“It’s about what we do first and foremost in fixtures, the amount of points we can get to, but you look at other teams because that’s a natural assessment of the division at the top and bottom, you have to be aware of things around you, but for me we focus on ourselves and on Friday evening, against a tough opponent in Fulham.
“We’ll look at the results over the weekend, because you want them to go in your favour, that’s natural.
“You expect at this stage of the season and the magnitude of the games that some results go for you, and some won’t.
“It’s a time for cool heads at this stage of the season, and with four games to go, we’re holding that sixth position, so we’re there to be shot at.”
Harris will make a late call on his team selection after revealing he has to monitor Lee Tomlin’s progress on a daily basis.
The No.10 was set to miss the remainder of the campaign after sustaining medial ligament damage in February, although as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, he has been able to play a part in the Bluebirds’ run-in.
However, Tomlin is yet to start for the Bluebirds since the resumption, with all five of his appearances coming as a substitute.
And following the disappointing 3-2 loss to Blackburn, the Cardiff faithful are keen to see their talisman feature more than ever.
But Harris admits he’s having to be hugely cautious with Tomlin, adding that he will pick his team to face the Cottagers today.
“It’s a complex situation. Is he ready to start? We’ll have to see. We have to see how he is every day when he wakes up,” explained Harris.
“That’s certainly not for a lack of desire from Lee Tomlin.
“But it’s a complex situation with how he’s feeling injury-wise.
“That’s why decisions are late and that he doesn’t take part in a lot of sessions, so we’re managing him through every day to see what we can get out of him in games. “We’ll see what Friday brings. “The biggest thing for me is that Lee Tomlin wants to play. He wants to be involved and he’s put himself forward for every game so far.
“It’s frustrating, and Tommo’s more frustrated than anybody, because he’s desperate to offer more to us as a group.
“I’m just pleased to have him involved in games in some shape or form, because back in March, he wasn’t going to figure again for us.”
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