New manager looking to build on Saturday’s draw with Charlton Athletic
CARDIFF City manager Neil Harris takes charge of his first home game against Stoke City tonight, with City looking to build on their spirited fightback against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Cardiff sit 14th in the Championship but are hoping that Harris’ appointment will lead to a surge up the table, after parting ways with previous manager Neil Warnock.
Harris’ job will be made harder with injuries to Joe Ralls, Sean Morrison, Sol Bamba, Robert Glatzel and Gavin Whyte posing selection problems for tonight’s fixture.
Lee Tomlin is expected to start at the Cardiff City Stadium after coming off the bench to snatch a point in Harris’ first game at The Valley.
Harris’ debut could not have got off to a worst start as two first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Jonathan Leko saw Charlton take a commanding lead into the break.
However, a rejuvenated Cardiff clawed it back to 2-2 in the second-half, with goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tomlin ensuring they did not leave south-east London empty-handed.
Harris will hope the fightback inspires a win against the Potters, with a victory moving City into the top half of the table.
However, a win for Stoke would see them move to within five points of the home side.
Stoke, who occupy the first of the relegation spots, also have a new man in charge, having appointed Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
The Potters sacked previous coach Nathan Jones at the start of November after a string of poor results.
Life under O’Neill has got off to a good start, with a 4-2 victory over Barnsley lifting them off the foot of the table.
They followed that up with victory over Wigan on Saturday, after an injury-time winner from Mame Biram Diouf.
