Cardiff City press conference live: Breaking team news and squad updates ahead of Leeds United Championship return
The Bluebirds boss will speak ahead of this Sunday's clash with Championship leaders Leeds United
Q: What are your general thoughts ahead of the game?
Harris: “I’m really excited. It’s great for all of us to see Premier League football last night on the TV.
“It’s been a long time without a game but at the same time Sunday has come around really quickly.
“To see football being football last night with goal line technology mess up, that was really bizarre... Chris Wilder’s interview was first class, could have made a huge thing of it but said everyone should look at the greater good, how fortunate we are to be playing again.”
Q: First up it’s a real challenge, is it the biggest test?
Harris: “It is yeah, 37 games, you roughly deserve to be where you are barring a point or two.
“Leeds deserve to be top of the table because of how they’ve been over the course of the season.
“They have invested heavily in the setup there so it will be a great test for us. They are regarded as one of the fittest and fastest teams in the division.
“But sometimes you want to put down a marker, but if we play at our best then we have got a chance to put a marker down for the rest of the season.”
Q: Is it a bigger challenge the opponent or adapting to a different environment?
Harris: “Since my time in charge, the derby against Swansea was a great experience personally, the magnitude, important fixture.
“But apart from that it was Leeds away, two big clubs at this level. To not have that support is not benefiting the home team, or benefiting the away team, in Germany.
“We are fortunate to be back on the pitch.
“A lack of build-up time, yeah, but it’s the same for everyone.
“The answers to all the questions are going to be answered after a period of time.”
Q: Has it refocused ambition of a Premier League place?
Harris: “That’s always been the focus of the whole club, during difficult times away from football, clinging on to the thought process of being in a great position in the league.
“It’s been a focal point for the chats I’ve had with players and staff over Zoom and over the phone.
“The players have been focused in training and wanted to learn and develop as a group.
“We all want to improve and be better. How prepared we are for Sunday we will only know after the game is finished.”
Harris: “I’ve mentioned a few players are going to be a bit short of match fitness. I’m not going to give too much away to allow the opposition time to prepare for us.”
Harris is asked about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Harris: “It was great last night to see players and staff taking a knee before the game. We are a powerful industry that carries a lot of weight in society and in Government as well, with the great work Marcus Rashford has done.
“It’s down to the players. I spoke to a chorus of senior players and we will be doing a few things, not only regarding Black Lives Matter but the NHS.”
Q: With five subs permitted, is there a strategy on how to use them?
Harris: “Well Mikel Arteta had a great plan until he lost two defenders!
“We try and plan for injuries and red-card scenarios. But what I’ve seen in a lot of football recently is that it can all go out the window.
“The drinks break… it was raining in Manchester, it wasn’t about the heat, but it was about getting through the 90 minutes and giving everyone a breather.
“Being able to use nine is hugely important to ensuring players finish the game in relatively good health.”
Q: Do you think some players might shine behind closed doors?
Harris: “It’s not something that’s been discussed at the moment. I’ve played with players at the moment who have been very good in five-a-side, but then not so good on a Saturday.
“Mentality-wise, physicality-wise, we don’t know. I’ve seen those players.
“Do some of the players really get themselves up for Saturdays? Yes, I’ve played with players like that too.
“The biggest thing is not having that crowd reaction.”
Q: What are the Greg Cunningham/Brad Smith opportunities?
Harris: “Greg is pretty much back in full training, so that’s a real positive.
“It’s great to get him back in the group. He did his first full training session with us on Tuesday and he got the usual reaction from me.
“I bring all the players in and make a point of mentioning it to everybody and he gets a standing ovation from everybody in the group.
“He’s been out a hell of a long time and it’s a tough road he’s been through.
“That was good, that was nice to see.
“Regarding Smithy, he’s been great since he’s come into the building, competing against Joe Bennett, who we know is an exceptional full back at this level.
“They will fight for that jersey until the end of the current campaign.
“After that, we will have to see what happens in the future.
“But at the moment, Brad is really focused, really enjoying it here, been great with the lads, have a lot of time for him.
“He has been great since he came in, to be honest, but Joe Bennett’s form - he’s been a consistent player for a long time, Joe - since Brad came in and added the competition, I thought Benno took his stock up another level.”
Q: Are we likely to see some academy players on the bench this weekend?
Harris: “It’s a real tough balancing act. Some players we have not been able to have in the building for various logistical reasons. They might have had opportunities.
“Some have trained with us, but we have a relatively healthy group at the moment, so over the course of the next nine games, there could well be opportunities.
“Will it be for this weekend? We probably won’t see any 18, 19-year-olds this weekend. But moving forward, there is every possibility towards the end of the season and certainly moving into the following season.”
Q: Has there been a new ethos or new tactics during this break?
Harris: “We saw it as an opportunity to develop slowly, there has been no transfer window [during the break] so looking a completely different team come Sunday, no.
“There’s been a lot of reviewing regarding what’s required.
“Are we going to be playing completely different come Sunday, I don’t think so.
“Is it not just about winning football? If you look at it during the course of the season, the last six games, form and momentum goes completely out the window.
“It’s all bets off.
“You have asked me a lot on the style of play and you know my thoughts on it, but at the moment, it’s about winning a game of football.
“We have got to be effective and winning games at this stage of the season, we want to develop.”
