SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 7 hrs 22 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
Championship | Gameweek 21
Dec 11, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
CC

2-1

Mbeumo (25'), Watkins (46')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Pack (64')

Neil Harris bemoans Cardiff "softness" after first defeat

:Headline: Neil Harris bemoans Cardiff 'softness' after first defeat: ID:382578: from db_amp
The Bluebirds were beaten 2-1 at Brentford.

Neil Harris had been expecting a stern test of Cardiff's credentials at Brentford and admitted a poor opening hour cost his side.

The Bluebirds slipped to a 2-1 defeat as goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins had given Brentford a deserved lead.

Cardiff launched a fightback when Marlon Pack's piledriver made it 2-1 on the hour, but they could not find an equaliser.

Harris, who suffered his first defeat in five matches since taking charge, said: "We can't give teams a head start or give them a foothold or you will get punished against good players.

"I knew I'd find out more about my players tonight because Brentford are one of the best home sides in the division at a tight ground, a proper old-fashioned ground.

"They can play, but this season they can go direct as well. There has been a softness about us, so I knew I would find out a lot about my lads tonight."

He added: "We didn't deserve anything for more than an hour, but the last half hour we were on the front foot, aggressive, mixing play from going direct and being able to pass the ball as well.

"Sometimes it's easy to do that when you're chasing but you have to do it from the start.

"We played some good stuff for an hour but some poor stuff too. It was the first time I've had to raise my voice at the club."

Harris is expecting a reaction against Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday and knows he will not need a repeat of his Griffin Park dressing room blast.

"I don't doubt a reaction because it's Elland Road and it's Leeds United. I've told the boys 'don't feel sorry, go again'. Ten points from 15 is still a lovely return, but I don't like getting beat."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank hailed his side's determination to put their bodies on the line, but felt they made it hard for themselves.

"The first 30 minutes was the type of football we want to see here, moving the ball quickly, and dynamic," he said.

"We said at half-time that we needed to go for the second goal and kill the game, but when they scored I didn't like it.

"I want us to be cool, make more passes and don't stress, but we weren't. Despite that, I need to praise my players for digging in and putting bodies on the line. We showed massive desire."

Frank was disappointed with his side's attitude for a 15-minute spell after Cardiff pulled one back and added: "Maybe there was a little complacency and one or two were too slow to get into their defensive shape, but we will learn from it. It was a big and well-deserved win, but we made it too exciting."

Cardiff's aerial bombardment would have tested the Bees last season, but Frank feels they are a different side now.

"Now we are a good side from set pieces, one of the best. But we are also a side that can bounce back from defeat. All the best teams bounce back," Frank said.

amp_article__382578 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-12-12 06:59:49:
html db last update - 2021-03-02 16:41:32 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Neil Harris

Click here for more stories about Brentford

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .