By Jack Cook

Marlon Pack admits he was surprised when Cardiff City made the move to sign him from Bristol City but the opportunity was too good to turn down.

Ex-Robins skipper Pack made the journey over the Severn last season after Neil Warnock came calling and has impressed with his displays for Neil harris this campaign.

Now Pack would like nothing better than coming out on top in Friday’s Severnside derby at Cardiff City Stadium against his former club.

“It was one that I was surprised as well if I’m honest,” said the 29-year-old who had been with the Robins for six years.

“It came probably at the right time in my career. I had a long time at Bristol City, plenty of lows and highs.

“I felt it was the right time to move. You have to be ambitious as a player. Cardiff came in for me, it was one you had to weigh up.

“My son could stay in school and in his friendship groups. Watching Cardiff from afar the season before and it was one I couldn’t really turn down.”

Pack built-up a good relationship with current Robins boss Dean Holden who has taken over from Lee Johnson.

But he knows friendships are put to one side tomorrow as City look to move within one point of their rivals who are currently seventh.

“With the proximity of both clubs, there is a factor in that,” said Pack of the rivalry between the clubs.

“I don’t think the fans like each other too much. It’s against my former club, former team-mates, Dean Holden, old assistant manager.

“I had a great time at Bristol City, a club I’ll always hold fondly to my heart. When you play these games, you want to get one over on friends and former team-mates.

“I know Deano well, had a good relationship with him there. They have stuck with the system. They have got good individuals there.

“Bristol City and the squad they’ve moulded together there, they will be looking to push that top six this season.”

Pack has played in 8 out of 10 games this season and he is really making his presence known with his good performances this season for the Bluebirds.

And he knows how important vital that first home win over Barnsley was on Tuesday night as City triumphed 3-0.

He added: “Yeah, it was vital. We have been scratching our heads as to why we haven’t won at home all season, but with football how it is at the minute, it might be playing a huge part for us.

“The results we had leading up to that weren’t ideal.

“It put pressure on us, and we got a good result against a good Barnsley side who have started well this season.

“I think we’ve not been too far away, being completely honest. We have lacked that bit of a cutting edge.

“We could have won easily, every game, but we could have lost. Turn a couple of those draws into wins. If we can then we will be in a relatively good position.”