(Photo: Action Images)
By Luke Baker
KADEEM HARRIS was more bemused than anyone by a two-year goal drought. Yet, after Neil Warnock helped him end it in style, the Cardiff City midfielder is convinced the floodgates will open.
On January 17, 2015, Harris scored in Cardiff's 3-2 defeat at Norwich, but the rest of that campaign passed without a goal.
Last season – which included a 13-game loan spell at Barnsley – and the first half of this term also failed to feature a score. But, 24 months on, Harris, 23, finally got another.
The former Wycombe trainee came off the bench to head in Junior Hoilett's cross in the 3-2 victory over rivals Bristol City last weekend and acknowledges a monkey is now off his back.
“I've gone a while without scoring, so to finally get one and help the team win is a really good feeling,” said Harris. “With it being the derby, it made the goal a little bit sweeter.
“I've come quite close in recent games, so I've gone out with the positive attitude that it was coming soon. Now I've got one, I feel like I could continue and not leave it so long.
“I definitely want to add more goals to my game. I do a lot of work on my finishing after training, so hopefully I can bring that into matches.
“I know I can do it because, at youth level and even in the reserves, I did have a good scoring record.
“This is a different level, but I know I'm capable of doing it. It's just having that belief and, once I start scoring, I believe I can carry on.”
Warnock's jubilant reaction on the sidelines to Harris' drought-ender should come as no surprise as he has put increasing trust in him since becoming Cardiff boss in October.
Harris' Bluebirds career looked to be coming to an end after playing just three times following his return from Barnsley in October 2015, but he is rejuvenated this term, having made 18 appearances before the weekend.
And the former Brentford loanee says he is a man transformed under the tutelage of Warnock.
“Recent years have been a bit frustrating, but I've kept my head down and worked hard,” added Harris. “I'm getting more of a run-out now with the new gaffer.
“Hopefully, I can repay his trust in me with more goals and assists and contribute to the team's success.
“He makes a big difference – he's a motivator more than anything and he's a great man-manager. He manages players individually, so I don't think anyone has a bad word to say about him. Because of that, everyone wants to win even more.”
Harris admits that loan spells with the Tykes and the Bees aided his development as a footballer.
But he is now desperate to make an impact at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“First-team football at any level helps your development,” said Harris. “To go on loan those two times and get games under my belt has definitely helped me.
“Hopefully, I can get a run in the team at Cardiff and there are no more loans.
“Any player will tell you a run of games is something that improves you. You get more used to the speed and what's expected of you, so I feel I've got more to give.”
