Harris | Fully focused on Sheffield Wednesday
CARDIFF CITY TV | GAFFER PREVIEWS OWLS
Neil Harris held a virtual press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Bluebirds' season opener against Sheffield Wednesday.
City kick off their 2020/21 campaign against the Owls at 3pm on Saturday, with Harris explaining that his players' sights are firmly set on the task at hand.
"I spoke to the players this morning in a pre-match meeting," began Neil.
"They were great and we're now fully focused on Sheffield Wednesday, ready to start the league campaign.
"The senior players deal with things accordingly and run my dressing room. They are very understanding, quickly refocused and are ready and prepared.
"If anything, the players have had the best day of training today since the day before Fulham in the second leg of the Play-Offs.
"That's the clear message for everybody: we have to move on and we have to look forward to what is a really exciting season for us, with the coming together of an exciting squad in my opinion."
Calling for the Bluebirds to continue their momentum after the brief summer break, the City boss went on to assess his squad's aspirations as they prepare for the behind-closed-doors kick-off at Cardiff City Stadium.
"It's a shame the fans won't be there," he continued. "We miss them and certainly did so in the Play-Off games. I want to make sure that there's a team on the pitch they're proud of – that's always the aim.
"The personnel we have at the moment within the group have got fantastic attributes to be a successful team, and it's down to me and my coaching staff to get the best out of the group.
"We don't get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to manage the expectations on our shoulders, but also embrace it.
"Come the final day of the season, when the final whistle blows, we want to be a top-six side. We should embrace that challenge and want to deliver that."
Neil also provided a fitness update on recently side-lined City duo Joe Ralls and Lee Tomlin, adding: "I'm very pleased with their progress in the last seven days.
"They're both hugely important players and have got great attributes in their play to make us a better group.
"I'm not going to put too much pressure on their shoulders because it is a long season, and we want them fit as often as possible.
"But both have trained this week. There is a chance for them to be involved on Saturday and I'll be making that decision after training on Friday."
