Warnock has wheel to win
NEIL WARNOCK reckons he is speeding towards the Premier League thanks to old bangers, rather than flashy motors.
The Bluebirds boss saw Kenneth Zohore settle a grim Severnside derby with his second winner in as many matches.
Zohore put the skids on the Robins when he blasted home Joe Ralls’ cross in the 81st minute.
“We don’t have the Rolls Royces that others have in this division, but what we do have are players with effort and endeavour,” said Warnock, whose men are unbeaten in eight games.
“We knew this game was never going to be pretty. The pitch was terrible, the wind was lively, it was the coldest day of the year and it was a local derby.
“We said at half-time it would be a sloppy goal that settled it and we needed to make sure it wasn’t us who conceded it.”
Zohore came on at half-time for Gary Madine, who had failed to ruffle the Robins’ feathers.
The Danish striker immediately unsettled the visitors with his power, but had to wait until nine minutes from time when Ralls surged into the box and a cross was deflected into his path.
But even though Cardiff are four points clear of third-placed Aston Villa, and a massive 15 points above seventh spot, Warnock insists the play-offs are still the aim.
“That has always been the target – to make the play-offs,” said Warnock.
“Anything else is a bonus, but we are pleased with our 16th clean sheet because that was the target we set ourselves.”
Bristol City have won one game in 10 league matches and those heady nights in the Carabao Cup against the Manchester giants already seem a long time ago.
Boss Lee Johnson said: “It was a stinker of a game. I got in for free and I still want my money back.
“We’re competing for a play-off place now. You can’t have delusions of grandeur now.”