Sharp on their travels, sloppy at home, tight at the back... it's a Preston re-run for QPR at Loftus Road tomorrow with Neil Harris' Cardiff in town. Input on the Welsh side comes via Owen Deacon at the Three Little Birds blog.
Does last season count as a success or a failure?
Last season was definitely a positive campaign for us considering Warnock’s departure could’ve left us in a very precarious situation. I’m a big fan of Neil Harris, he’s implementing a completely different style to Warnock and is including youth players in his plans. With the addition of Kieffer Moore up front, it shows his ambition.
How have you started the season?
We’ve had a bit of a bumpy start to the season. Our away form has been our strong point, however, we’re still looking for our first win at home.
Cardiff league results so far…
Cardiff 0-2 Sheff Wed Windass 4, Rhodes 44
Forest 0-2 Cardiff Moore 3, 40
Cardiff 1-2 Reading Tomlin 81 — Morrison 47, Joao 66
Blackburn 0-0 Cardiff
Preston 0-1 Cardiff Ojo 52
Cardiff 1-1 Bournemouth Wilson 62 — Solanke 35
Cardiff 1-1 Middlesbrough Ojo 70 — Saville 36
Derby 1-1 Cardiff Waghorn 24 — Moore 77
How do you rate Neil Harris' performance so far?
So far I’d rate Neil Harris with an 8/10. With some good signings this summer, it’s a good way to build on last season’s play-off finish. We just need to be more consistent.
How did your summer transfer window go?
The summer window was fairly average right up until deadline day. Kieffer Moore and two Premier League loans showed good intent but it fell silent until the eleventh hour, where we signed Harry Wilson, along with a loanee from Leicester and a backup goalkeeper. Definitely our best window for a while.
Ins >>> Kieffer Moore, 28, CF, Wigan, £1.98m >>> Dillon Phillips, 25, GK, Charlton, Undisclosed >>> Jordi Osei-Tutu, 21, RB, Arsenal, Loan >>> Harry Wilson, 23, AM, Liverpool, Loan >>> Sheyi Ojo, 23, RW, Liverpool, Loan >>> Filip Benkovic, 23, CB, Leicester, Loan
Outs >>> Callum Paterson, 25, CF, Sheff Wed, £495k >>> Neil Etheridge, 30, GK, Birmingham, Undisclosed >>> Danny Ward, 28, CF, Huddersfield, Free >>> Jazz Richards, 29, LB, Released >>> Matt Connolly, 32, CB, Released >>> Omar Bogle, 28, CF, Charlton, Free >>> Nathaniel Mendez Laing, 28, RW, Sacked/Misconduct >>> Ciaron Brown, 22, CB, Livingston, Loan >>> Aden Flint, 31, CB, Sheff Wed, Loan
Where is the team strong and where is it weak?
Our team is definitely strongest in midfield and out wide, however, we’re seriously lacking at right back. Especially considering we have injuries to two of our left backs and our only right back, meaning we’re playing a youth player and a centre mid to fill in the gaps.
What are your expectations for the season ahead?
I think, along with most fans, I’d be disappointed if we didn’t finish top six again. We’ve built on the squad after last season and if we finish less than sixth with the quality we have, then I think Harris will feel like he’s fallen short.
Links >>> Official Website >>> Three Little Birds — Blog >>> CCMB — Message Board >>> Wales Online — Local Paper >>> Mauve and Yellow — Blog
The Twitter @ThreeBluebirds_, @OwenRhysDEacon, @loftforwords
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