Harris | A professional performance
MIDDLESBROUGH REACTION | HARRIS
Cardiff City boss Neil Harris spoke to the press and media following the 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough.
“It was a big win today," Harris began. "It was a huge game. We knew it was monumental for us.
“With the mix of playing against the old Gaffer it adds an element of spice to the game.
"Neil Warnock sides are tough to play against. Credit to my players for having the bravery to get the ball down and play and also match up against the physical element.
“My lads were professional and there were some lovely passages of play. I’m delighted with the points."
Harris' side head into the final day of the regular Championship season needing just a single point to secure a play-off spot following Saturday's results.
“I found out the other scores in the sixth minute of added time.
“It’s a straight shoot out between us and the enemy up the road. We’re in pole position and rightly so. Over the course of 45 games, we deserve to be here. At the end of 46 games, whoever is in that sixth spot or fifth spot deserves to be there.
“Ultimately, we’ve got Hull City at home on Wednesday. And we know we need a point to get into the top six. But we’re going to want to win the game.
“Hull know they need to win to have any chance of staying up. We have to make sure we are focused."
Junior Hoilett was withdrawn early in the match with Boro due to injury. His replacement, Josh Murphy, netted twice for the Bluebirds in an impressive performance.
“It was a tight groin," Harris continued. "We aren’t sure about his availability for Wednesday.
“When you come off in the first half of a fixture, you don’t normally make the mid-week game. We’ll take one day at a time.
“Football changes so quickly. Murphy is an example of that. He wants to play. He came on early on today and pops up with two goals.
“We’ve come away from home, won again and put in an assured performance. I thought the players delivered the game plan today.
“What Murph has to be for us is an integral part of the team - in a defensive shape when we haven’t got the ball and he needs to put his body on the line. And when we’re on the ball, he needs to be reliable and have the X factor.
“You want your attacking players to score goals and I’m delighted for Murph to get two today."
