WARNOCK IS FURIOUS AT ‘RIDICULOUS’ SCHEDULING OF BURTON GAME
NEIL Warnock has blasted the Football League for scheduling Cardiff City’s Championship clash with Burton Albion on the Friday immediately after the upcoming international break.
The Bluebirds play back-to-back away games against Brentford and Derby County this week ahead of the final international window of the season, with Cardiff facing Warnock’s former employers in their first game back following two weeks away from Championship action.
But the Yorkshireman has bemoaned the decision from league bosses to schedule the Bluebirds’ game on a Friday given that members of his squad will be travelling back to South Wales as little as two days before the clash with the Brewers.
“I’ve been looking at it (the international break) for three weeks, and the call-ups with the internationals,” said the Cardiff boss after his side’s 3-2 success against Birmingham City.
“I think we’re going to have to write to the Football League.
“I don’t think any team in the Championship going for promotion should play on a Friday, coming back after the international break. It’s absolutely pathetic.
“We’ve got lads playing (internationals) on a Wednesday night, and we’re playing Burton on a Friday. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“I wish them people would come with me and train with me while they’re doing that. They haven’t got a clue what they’re doing. I know we’re ruled by television, but there’s got to be common sense.
“I’ve got lads from Hungary or somewhere coming back on a Wednesday night, travelling through the night then they’re playing on a Friday.
“You wouldn’t put your animals through that. It’s ridiculous.”
Alex McLeish will reveal his Scotland squad for their friendly matches with Costa Rica and Hungary today, with Cardiff man Callum Paterson expected to be included.
Elsewhere, Bruno Manga (Gabon), Marko Grujic (Serbia), Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland), Neil Etheridge (Philippines), Junior Hoilett (Canada), Jamie Ward (Northern Ireland) and Armand Traore (Senegal) are all likely to be in action over the international break while Jazz Richards could feature for Wales in the China Cup if he recovers from an ankle injury.