All smiles as Warnock plots ahead for big push next term

FOR someone who most people picture on the touchline with a snarl, there’s not half a lot of smiles when Neil Warnock is around.

Perhaps it was always likely to be the case at Huddersfield, one of a plethora of his former clubs where he has won a promotion. Already assured of a play-off spot, this final day beating they were dealt by a convincing, committed Cardiff City didn’t spoil the party atmosphere too much.

There were plenty of smiles in the away end, understandably so after watching their team turn it on and play their part in the end-of-season festivities as much as those in fancy dress.

It’s been too long since the Bluebirds have been able to enjoy an end of season like this.

When history records this campaign in cold hard numbers, there might be those questioning why there was such cause for optimism, given the table shows Cardiff bang in the middle of the table and some 18 points shy of what ended up being required for play-offs.

But that doesn’t tell the story of the improvement made by Warnock, of what faith there is now in him and the players he has transformed.

There was a dose of irony that Cardiff finished the season playing – and playing well – in a wing-back system that Paul Trollope tried to implement but never got going with before he failed to find a way out of trouble. Trouble that brought Warnock to a club that always fitted him better than Trollope. There is a hand in glove feel about the Bluebirds and their boss.

Hard work, honesty – which can be both comforting and cutting – and hunger, even at the age of 68, have all poured into a team which has the basis for doing something more next year.

It was worth noting that Huddersfield may well offer a reminder that it is not about big names but eyeing talent and encouraging it as part of a team. There are smiles of faith that Warnock is a better bet than most to pull that off.

He should have the backing. There were fans in the away end dressed as bananas, yet everything now seems on the right side of sensible at their club. There is no talk of the silly money and wages that have brought problems, but of getting the best out of players.

Warnock has already done that with players at his disposal, perhaps none more so than Kenneth Zohore, who made it 12 for the season with a beautifully taken first and two assists for Joe Bennett to seal the win. Given the quality of the goals – albeit against a Huddersfield side with thoughts on the playoffs – it was the perfect time for Warnock to underline what he has done since coming in.

Warnock didn’t waste time pointing out that his side would have been challenging for top six if he had been in charge from the start of the season. 54 points in 35 games suggests he would be well on the way to pushing for it and even that, when Cardiff can be accused of taking their foot off the pedal and suffering from a little fatigue and lack of squad depth recently.

Those are things Warnock will address this summer, will impress upon Vincent Tan in meetings to come as he looks to add “three or four” players to go straight into this side.

He wants that extra bit of quality to give them the edge in games when they have come up short.

What won’t need much work is the attitude he has in the camp.

Skipper Sean Morrison spoke after the game of the spirit being engineered by Warnock.

Warnock in turned spoke highly of his skipper who, in the final minutes of the season having played more than any other Bluebird, was still diving in to make a last-ditch block to protect a clean sheet.

Still, this is where the serious business begins. Faith and hope will linger this summer, but then there will be a need for more and a need to build.

The hope will be the smiles can last until this time next year.