It’s all Well for Warnock as Bluebirds get back to grassroots

NEIL Warnock is giving his Cardiff City players a snapshot of grassroots football with tonight’s friendly at Taffs Well (7pm), admitting he still gets the “buzz” ahead of a new season.

The Bluebirds’ pre-season campaign gets underway in earnest with a friendly against the Welsh League Division One outfit in front of nearly 3,000 people.

It will be a momentous occasion for the Wellmen, though Warnock insists it’s a valuable experience for his players too.

The game was Warnock’s brainchild, with gate receipts split between two charities close to his heart: Cancer Research and Velindre Hospital, as well as Taffs Well FC.

And the manager has been true to his word, naming a strong squad that includes Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison, Joe Ralls and company.

Only those late back from international duty will miss the game: Kenneth Zohore, Aron Gunnarsson and Junior Hoilett, with new signing Lee Tomlin and the injured Callum Paterson sidelined. Idriss Saadi, Lee Peltier and Kadeem Harris will also miss out.

For Warnock, though, connecting with a local club and local people, who are the lifeblood of a “special club” like Cardiff City, is paramount.

Because while the game at the Rhiw‘r Ddar stadium might appear unglamorous to some, the veteran boss cannot wait for the nitty gritty to get started — and what better place than a grassroots club in Bluebirdssupporting heartland?

“When I go out into the valleys I don’t just do that to get a few ‘well dones,’” Warnock revealed.

“I go out to communicate with all the local people – and that’s why I go to Taffs Well.

“I’ve always gone to a local team to start (pre-season) with.

“You get critics ,but players down to earth.

“I had someone saying to me ‘do you want to get changed at (Cardiff City Stadium)’ but I said ‘do I hell?’ I want to change at Taffs Well, in their dressing room and let the players have a look at it – because they might be playing there if it wasn’t for me!”

Joking aside, Warnock sees the game as a perfect opportunity to get competitive football back underway. The Bluebirds soon head to Devon and Cornwall for a pre-season tour, before a visit to the Yorkshireman’s former club Burton Albion awaits on August 5.

Then comes another tasty affair against big-spending, promotionchasing Aston Villa, the Bluebirds’ first league game at home.

“I think it’s my 38th (pre-season),” recalled Warnock, who admits being revitalised during nine months in South Wales. “That sounds a lot, but that’s just as a manager, so I think it’s about 49 seasons as player and manager.

“I do still get the buzz and I owe that to Sharon, my wife. it brings the