Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WARNOCK LOOKS ON THE UP SIDE
Boro boss wants his old team in Prem
NEIL WARNOCK has ordered his former club to finish the job and win promotion.
The Middlesbrough boss was the last coach to get Cardiff City into the top flight, two years ago.
His current club slumped to another defeat at the Riverside Stadium and have not won there since Boxing Day – 10 matches ago.
Warnock (above) labelled Cardiff “professional” in their comprehensive defeat of Boro, thanks to two goals from Josh Murphy and one by Sean Morrison. Britt Assombalonga grabbed a consolation for the hosts near the end.
The Bluebirds were 14th in the Championship when Warnock left in November, but have soared back into contention under Neil Harris.
And Warnock said of his former club: “I would absolutely like to see them promoted. It will be a good side to beat them and everything is in place. It’s the same group as I had and they’re a fabulous bunch.
“All the players were signed or were there when I took over. They are very strong and solid.
“They are good players and good lads as well. That’s why I said when I left I thought they could get in the play-offs and get promotion. That’s how I see them. If they get in the playoffs, I only see Brentford beating them. “I don’t see any of the other teams – Nottingham Forest, Fulham – I think Cardiff will be the team.
“I imagine everybody at Cardiff is hoping Brentford clinch that second place – I think they would rather play West Brom, if they are honest.” Bluebirds star Leandro Bacuna said his team-mates are ready to finish the job against Hull on Wednesday, when a point will confirm a top-six spot. Bacuna said: “We’ve been playing such good football and want to keep that going. “We have everything in our own hands, so we’ve got to go back home and finish it off now.”
Boss Harris said: “We are in pole position and rightly so. We deserve to be there. Josh Murphy has big moments in him.
“This team has not lacked a fighting spirit. We have winners in there.
“Whatever way we play: a football game, a shape game, be direct, regain the ball and stand up to a physical battle... the players do that.
“You need character and we have it in abundance.”