Neil’s warning
NEIL WARNOCK has told his Cardiff players not to become an “FA Cup headline” at Gillingham.
Cardiff have become accustomed to playing the role of underdogs this season in the Premier League.
But they take on the mantle of favourites today at League One Gills.
“There will be changes to the team but I want to progress and we’ll be taking a strong squad,” said manager Warnock, below. “It’s good to be favourites but you don’t want to be a statistic. We don’t want to be a headline.” Cardiff have some insight on Gillingham, who are 18th in their division and 45 places below the Bluebirds, because first-team coach Ronnie Jepson managed the Kent side between 2005-07. Jepson keeps a close eye on his former club and Warnock said: “Ronnie has told us Gillingham have a decent side.”
JASON PUNCHEON has left Crystal Palace to join struggling Huddersfield on loan. Winger Puncheon, 32, has not started a Premier League game this season despite recovering from a serious knee injury. Terriers boss David Wagner, who takes his side to Bristol City today, said: “He knows what it takes to be successful.”
The 37-year-old Reading centre-back spent 13 happy years with Manchester United, playing in all positions including emergency striker and even goalkeeper.
O’Shea won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup as a Red Devil, as well as many of his 118 caps for Ireland.
But in the twilight of his playing career at the Madejski Stadium, O’Shea is already casting an envious eye at his former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, the Norwegian has brought joy, style and goals back to the Theatre of Dreams as caretaker manager.
And O’Shea, who is eyeing a move into coaching, would love nothing more than to have such an honour at United one day.
Solskjaer gave an 18-year-old O’Shea one of his best moments when the youth player cheered his winner at the Nou Camp in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
Now he is looking to help pull off a huge shock to give Solskjaer a bloody nose and a first defeat at the helm.
“The Treble year was my first one there,” said O’Shea. “For the final, the club had brought over the youth team and reserves.
“We were behind the goal when Ole scored. It was obviously incredible.
It doesn’t surprise me how Ole is doing. As a player he had real intelligence and professionalism.
“He was always ready when called by the manager, had a great attitude around the place and treated people with respect.
“There were many personal highlights of my time at United. My first Premier League title was huge for me in 2002-03. I felt properly involved.
“There were plenty of highlights and medals. I cherish them. In the 2004 FA Cup run we beat Arsenal in the semi-final at Villa
Park. We knew we would then be favourites against Millwall, and won.
“But I am disappointed not to have more FA
Cup winner’s medals.
We lost against Arsenal