Warnock 'is Klopp clone'
WARNOCK ‘SO LIKE LIVERPOOL CHIEF’
NEIL WARNOCK is the Championship’s answer to Jurgen Klopp, says Marko Grujic.
The on-loan Liverpool youngster is yet to suffer a league defeat since joining Cardiff in January.
Grujic reckons the way things are going Warnock will be pitting his wits against Klopp in the Premier League next season.
And it’s all thanks to his man-management.
“In some respects they’re very similar and have very good relationships with the players,” said the midfielder.
Style
“Both managers try to send their passion to us and they’re both great to play under.
“When the time came to speak with Liverpool about the loan, a few clubs asked for me. But from the first moment I spoke to Neil on the phone, I didn’t have a dilemma.
“He and Klopp are both top-class managers and I said I wanted to be a Cardiff player. I’m enjoying it here.
“I have learned a lot under both managers.
“The style of football is different but as a young player you need to learn.
“I’m 21 years old, to play in the Premier League and the Championship is great.
“The Championship style is different, more physical, and my position is more defensive than I played for Liverpool.
“After every game I have analysed what was good and what was bad about my performance.
“Klopp wanted me to get matches and to get more match sharpness.
“The gaffer (Warnock) just told me what he wants and a lot of guys in the club have helped me adapt. I’m really happy in Cardiff, the city and the club.”
The second-place Bluebirds have opened up a seven-point cushion on third-place Aston Villa after seven straight wins.
They face Derby tomorrow knowing they need seven wins from their last nine matches to return to the top flight.
Grujic added: “It’s an impressive run but the players and staff need to play every game like it’s the first one. This is important because it’s before the international break.
“We need to carry on with this impressive run this week, we have tough opponents in front of us.
“Derby are a big team with big expectation but we don’t care who our opponents are, we just need to keep winning.”