WARNOCK FLIPS OUT!
Bluebirds boss is left raging at ref’s ruling
NEIL WARNOCK blamed referee Tim Robinson’s ‘scandalous’ decision for denying Cardiff a first point in four games.
QPR were leading with 10 minutes to go thanks to a debut goal by Paul Smyth when Cardiff ’s Junior Hoilett thought he had levelled against his old club.
But Robinson disallowed the goal for offside, even though Warnock claims the referee admitted he didn’t know who had touched the ball last.
“That’s three or four games where we’ve had crucial decisions against us,” said the Cardiff boss.
Praise
“It’s scandalous at the moment. I’ve never known it as poor with officials. We’ve lost four on the trot and three of them I don’t know how.
“We work all week to get things right and I wonder what they’ll feel when they watch it and know they’re wrong.”
Four defeats on the spin have knocked the Bluebirds’ promotion hopes, but Warnock insists they are still on course and plans to add two players this month.
QPR boss Ian Holloway preferred to praise Smyth, 20, who arrived in August from Linfield.
The Irishman was a livewire, constantly running at experienced Cardiff defender Sol Bamba.
“It was probably one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken,” said Holloway. “But if people are missing, someone else deserves a chance.
“He was a breath of fresh air. I thought their defenders might struggle with him.”
The visitors went ahead after 54 minutes when Jake Bidwell needlessly pushed Callum Paterson in the area as Joe Ralls’ cross came over from the left.
Midfielder Ralls then stepped up and rolled the penalty past Rangers keeper Alex Smithies.
QPR were level eight minutes later when Matt Smith nodded in Jack Robinson’s long throw.
And after 72 minutes Smyth charged past Bruno Ecuele Manga and cut in from the left with his shot deflecting in off Bamba.
“He handled it brilliantly and caused them problems,” added Holloway.
“He made that luck and that’s just what we need.”