By Gareth James
Neil Harris has told his Cardiff City players to become ‘streetwise’ after seeing his side drop more crucial home points.
Sheyi Ojo salvaged a draw for the Bluebirds with a second-half leveller after they conceded from a set-piece to Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough.
Warnock was unhappy with the equaliser and left questioning whether City’s style of play had moved on since his departure last year.
“We have to make sure we are a little more streetwise,” said Harris, whose side have picked up just two points out of a possible 12 at home so far.
“The first goal mentality, we’ve got it away from home. We’ve had it for 12 months away from home.
“The majority of the time we have had it at home as well. But all of a sudden, we’ve got key moments going against us at home.
“Ultimately, they’ve come from set-pieces or giving the ball away cheaply.”
City lost their opening two games and for the second time in three days had to fight back to snatch a draw at home.
“Bournemouth scored a good goal against us, I’ve got no problem with that,” said Harris of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw after successive home defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Reading.
“But the other five goals we have conceded in the league at home, three of them have been from set-pieces and two have been from us giving the ball away at the edge of our own box.”
Pic: Ian Cook/ CameraSport via Getty Images
“You can say it’s unlucky, but you get to the stage where it’s not acceptable.”
George Saville headed Boro ahead from a first-half corner after City had dominated.
But Ojo levelled on 70 minutes, sliding in to bundle home from Kieffer Moore’s header with Warnock insisting referee Jon Brooks had missed Saville being blocked off at a corner.
And Warnock then had a dig at City’s style of play claiming they had not moved on from the long-ball, set-piece dominated style he was often criticised for.
“I’m disappointed with the goal as it’s an obvious foul,” said the 71-year-old on his first return to the club he left last November after three years in charge.
“They’ve blocked Saville to give Kieffer Moore a free header. Referees at this level should be able to see things like that.
“It’s a disgrace really after last Saturday’s offside that wasn’t offside. That’s four points we’ve thrown away this week with decisions.
“I’m disappointed because I thought we did enough to win it.”
“I was told they’d changed style since I’d left. I’m not sure the style of football has changed if I’m honest.
“They’re the best physical side and the towel’s round the side with every throw-in.”
Warnock was denied a welcome from the fans on his return to the club he took to the Premier League by the COVID-19 restrictions.
He added: “It was weird getting off the bus and seeing one or two staff when I was there.
“I had three great years here with (chairman) Mehmet Dalman, who was fantastic.
“I’ll come back even when I retire to watch a game. I’ll have a walk round and thank them, they were amazing to me.
“But life goes on, it was the right time for me to leave. I’d done everything I could.”
