By Gareth James
Neil Harris praised his players but Cardiff City saw the 3-0 victory over Barnsley overshadowed by news of Lee Tomlin’s injury set-back.
The Bluebirds boss got the response he demanded as City claimed their first home win of the season at the fifth attempt.
Junior Hoilett and Joe Ralls gave them a two goal lead before the break before Harry Wilson sealed victory with a typical thunder strike with 13 minutes left.
“I can talk a lot about the goals we scored, the chances we created, the clean sheet, but I am most impressed with the reaction of my players,” said Harris.
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“Obviously I was honest in my opinion after the game on the performance in the first half at QPR. I was honest with my players at half-time and after the game.
“When you do that you want a positive reaction from the group and tonight I got that.
“I thought the performance level tonight individually and collectively was outstanding. The only frustration is that we didn’t score more.”
The only blip for City was news that Tomlin was unable to play having suffered a flare-up of a groin injury and could be sidelined for a few more weeks.
The win lifted City up to 11th four points behind sixth-placed Bristol City who are the next visitors on Friday night.
Harris had called for a response after his verbal blast at the players following the 3-2 defeat at QPR.
The manager opted for an attacking line-up partnering Robert Glatzel, recovered from illness, up front alongside Kieffer Moore.
And he could also recall Wales international Wilson who had missed the last two games with a hip injury.
Harris got the start he hoped for as Hoillett put them ahead after just four minutes against the Tykes.
Ralls, who netted from a penalty at QPR, doubled the lead from the spot on the stroke of half-time after Wilson was tripped.
And Wilson capped an impressive victory for City with a typical finish as the Liverpool loanee drilled home into the top corner from 20 yards on 77 minutes.
City’s first home win of the season – having picked up just two points from the four previous games – will ease the pressure that was growing on Harris.
But Tomlin looks certain to miss the Severnside derby against his former club on Friday with another injury set-back.
Harris added: “I have talked about the importance of players that can change games and win games and what’s been missing.
“Obviously with Lee not available to us now we saw the importance of Robert Glatzel and Harry Wilson, two more players that can link the play and change the game in a moment.
“Lee wasn’t fit. It doesn’t look like he is going to be fit for Friday or the coming weeks so we’ll have to see what unfolds daily with Lee.
“It’s just issues with the groin from playing just under 30 minutes the other day.”