War of words as Bluebirds close the gap
CARDIFF manager Neil Warnock was embroiled in a war of words with Nottingham Forest counterpart Mark Warburton over time-wasting as the Bluebirds moved to withing four points of leaders Wolves.
The visitors had two booked for kicking the ball away and Warburton blasted the officials’ failure to deal with Cardiff’s slow tactics at stoppages.
“We were frustrated at the continual delaying,” said Warburton. “Cardiff are very good at what they do but that has to be managed better by people. Surely you deal with that early, stamp it out and it doesn’t become a problem.
“When I see someone [Craig Bryson] stroll off the park and take that long, to applause, I find that very frustrating.”
Warnock said: “He’s got a sore Achilles tendon – what do you expect him to do, sprint off? I don’t mind if the ref had played another 10 minutes rather than do more damage coming off.”
The Bluebirds boss preferred to highlight
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Armand Traore’s high tackle on Callum Paterson that earned a 14th-minute booking.
“Do you know what you should be talking about? How lucky they were to have 11 on the field,” he said. “It was a horrendous challenge.”
Cardiff were still happy with a third straight win, Junior Hoilett’s 24th-minute header putting them ahead when Sean Morrison flicked on Joe Ralls’s free-kick. Daryl Murphy put a good chance over and Danny Ward punished them when he got Cardiff’s second seven minutes before the break with a 20-yard scorcher for his 50th league goal. Tyler Walker missed the opportunity to pull one back with a tame shot.
Cardiff are doing their best to stay in touch with Wolves but Warnock says his side will not catch them now. “It’s doubtful because I’d imagine they’ll spend another £20million in January,” he said.