Warnock is denied as Wednesday strike late
FORGET nothing to play for, this would have felt like a dagger to the heart for Cardiff City’s boyhood Blade.
They don’t like Neil Warnock in these parts, both for his affinity and history with Sheffield’s other club and, presumably, for being Neil Warnock.
More often than not, Warnock had had the last laugh. In 19 previous games as a manager against Wednesday, he has lost just three games – and one of those was after extra time.
So when Fernando Forestieri struck with six minutes remaining, inflicting Warnock’s first Hillsbrough defeat since 2009, of course it would have hurt the Bluebirds’ veteran boss.
A snap of the fingers and throw of the arm as he darned the final whistle told its story.
Because he knew that, for so much of this tense game, Cardiff had done exactly what they had come to do: to spoil the party.
They did it well too, showing the type of attributes that are both hallmarked Warnock and necessary for sides aiming to do more than meander towards the end of a campaign.
That it took the small matter of £16m of talent brought off the bench to prove the difference as Jordan Rhodes’ shot was only parried as far as the on-running Forestieri, will offer some eventual comfort to Warnock.
But he already knew his side aren’t there yet to be in the position Carlos Carvahal’s side find themselves in going towards this final month.
When Wednesday fought off £7m interest for Derby in Forestieri and agreed a loan deal with Middles- brough for Rhodes that will cost £9m this summer, Cardiff got in Greg Halford.
What Warnock wanted to see was whether there was the nous, the know-how, the necessities of a side who have designs on play-offs or promotion.
For the much part, it was on display at Hillsbrough.
There was a Warnock stamp on this team that did not back down, didn’t get fazed by the atmosphere baying for every decision as they sought the win to keep them in the top six.
They didn’t lose their shape as an already attack-minded Wednesday side threw all they could at Cardiff.
Had Joe Ralls shown a little bit more confidence or composure in the penalty area, they might have had a lead for Cardiff’s impressive defence to hold onto.
It was not to be, but some aspects of Cardiff ’s performance offered heart and hope about this time next year, certainly if Warnock can spend a little
bit of money.
A bit more invention is needed as hard work again wasn’t matched by a spark when it mattered, a bit of backup for when legs and minds began to tire.
That is what happened here, the ball spending an increasing amount of time in the Cardiff half before Rhodes took advantage of the space offered by Bennett, the shot parried by Allan McGregor and Forestieri running beyond Richards to get to the ball first and seal the win.
It was a goal born out of desire and desperation that the Bluebirds are ultimately lacking as they count down these final four games without anything truly to play for.
But, that said, it was worth remembering Cardiff’s display here little more than 12 months ago. Then Russell Slade’s side were four points off sixth and vying with the Owls for a play-off place. They were out-classed and out-fought as they went down 3-0.
The Bluebirds, even though they need improving and are set for their lowest finish in 10 years, are a better team and a better prospect.
Strangely, though Wednesday look set for another crack at the play-offs, they do not look as good as they were a season ago.
Credit to Cardiff for exposing a team that looked inbalanced and in the end had to resort to long balls, in the most part eaten up by the excellent Bruno Manga, with the late dagger a rare exception.
A high-intensity opening almost handed the hosts a goal when Ross Wallace had too much space and Allan McGregor’s hands let slip the shot onto the post.
But it is difficult to recall the Scot having much other chance to atone for the near-blunder, the game getting more and more feisty as home nerves bubbled.
Junior Hoilett was jeered for shoving Daniel Pudil but a red would have been wrong, not that anxious Owls would agree.
Ralls looked lively pushed on with Gunnarsson and could have made more of link-ups with Kenneth Zohore, stopping and taking one touch when he either needed to go first time or drive on.
But with the cutting edge missing, Cardiff’s discipline held out until bodies and minds tired – and Wednesday’s desperation drove that dagger into Warnock.
He has already spoken about having to bite his tongue when congratulating opposition managers this term.
You imagine he felt this one more than ever.
The former Blade has a summer to sharpen his tools for revenge.