Last season was a big one for Cardiff’s academy and the cream of their crop. Whether by design, due to circumstances, force of will or a mixture of all the above, several players broke through into the first-team picture and it was a rare ray of sunshine in an otherwise rather grim season.
Mark Harris, Joel Bagan, Ollie Denham, Eli King, Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies all got game time and made an impression. Their debut may have been a hit, but now it’s time for their difficult second album.
Second season syndrome is a thing in football and it always looked like a tough task for this crop to replicate last year’s impact. Steve Morison completely renovated the squad during the summer, so the players on the books are now very much his players. He may not have fancied several senior pros last year, but that is no longer the case, so opportunities were always likely to be in shorter supply.
READ MORE: Steve Morison says Cardiff City are seeing a better Mark Harris this season as he explains Max Watters absence
Cardiff now have several options at left back, centre back and in central midfield, so Bagan, Denham and King, who has since joined Crewe on loan, have been relegated to the periphery of the squad.
Colwill and Davies both missed pre-season and are working their way back to full fitness.
Harris has been in the picture a little bit longer than the rest and is a couple of years older. He is still regarded as one of the youngsters, but he is not so young anymore, as his critics are quick to point out, and he appears to have accrued a fair few.
Like Max Watters, rightly or wrongly, Harris divides the room.
When you stick up for Harris on social media, you will find yourself fielding several responses from people quoting stats back at you in relation to his goals return, which is less than you would expect from a Championship-calibre striker. Surely, in this case more than most, that is slightly disingenuous though, because there is plenty to be admired in what he has to offer.
Firstly, he absolutely works his socks off for the cause. Harris is as quick and industrious a player as Cardiff have at their disposal. He never gives less than 100% effort and his speed always puts opponents on the back foot. For that reason, he is often used as an impact substitute, to unsettle tiring opposition defences.
His pace often results in him playing wide too, which on top of his substitute appearances, affects Harris’ goal return. All of a sudden, his tally does not look quite as damning as it is often portrayed.
When you compare Harris to Watters, who is three months his junior, but has already represented 11 different clubs in his career and has enjoyed more starts this season, Harris provides more intensity, work ethic and goal threat.
Age is a big factor in how players tend to be perceived by supporters and within the game itself. The younger you are, the more potential you have and the more time you are afforded. That stands to reason, but players do not always get better with every passing year and then decline at the same certain point. Some players peak in their teens and others not until their mid-twenties.
Harris may still be a little rough around the edges, and may always be, but he does appear to still be improving. He is smarter and stronger than he used to be and this was picked up on by Steve Morison in his press conference earlier in the week.
Like many Cardiff players over the years, Harris has been to some extent a victim of circumstance. He has had several different mangers with differing ways of playing.
Like Watters, he probably favours playing as part of a pairing up top, but Cardiff have frequently favoured a lone frontman. Cardiff don’t currently have a player capable of ploughing a lone furrow in the mould of Kieffer Moore or Jordan Hugill and deputising in that role has done little for Watters street cred.
Harris lined up alongside Callum Robinson at Middlesbrough on Tuesday and both were instrumental in an impressive victory and much improved performance. A 3-5-2 formation was utilised at times last season to great success and it may make the best use of the players at hand, but there may be a horses for courses approach going forward.
With a World Cup on the horizon and a contract expiring next summer, this is a huge season for Harris. He currently has the shirt and it's up to him whether or not he keeps it. He should probably make the most of the opportunity while Davies remains absent because there is sure to be a clamour for his inclusion once he returns.
As for his critics, Harris has the right attitude and application, is an academy graduate and a Welsh international. He may not be refined or the finished product, but surely he is worth rooting for.
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