ANOTHER KEY WEEKEND FOR BLUEBIRDS & SWANS
QPR V CARDIFF CITY Loftus Road, 3pm
AHEAD of Cardiff’s clash with QPR this weekend, Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock reflected fondly on his time with Rangers.
Warnock has had two spells in charge of the west London outfit, leading the team for two years between 2010 and 2012 before returning as caretaker mangers for four matches last season.
The veteran manager led QPR to an unlikely Championship title and promotion to the Premier League during his first spell – securing his seventh and most recent promotion.
Taking over a side which finished in 14th place the previous season with a top scorer who scored just 13 goals, few fancied Warnock to steer QPR into the top six, let alone guide them to the title.
But that’s exactly what the promotion specialist did, as QPR won the title and finished a comfortable eight points clear of third place with a team mostly devoid of big name stars.
The side that finished fourth that season, getting knocked out in the play-off semi finals, was Cardiff City.
Fast forward six seasons and there are more similarities between the current Bluebirds side and that title winning QPR team than simply the man sat in the dugout.
Cardiff are now firmly ensconced in mid-table and Warnock has already set his sights on next season, and a record-equaling eighth promotion for himself.
Bluebirds fans will be hoping that he can work similar wonders with this Bluebirds side as he did at Loftus Road six seasons ago. Warnock’s Championship winning side were famously miserly at the back, conceding just 32 goals in 46 matches - 10 fewer than the next best side.
Since his appointment in the Welsh capital Warnock has done a similar job with the Cardiff defence, as the Bluebirds have conceded only 29 goals in 23 league matches under his leadership compared to 19 in 11 under Paul Trollope. There is still work to be done, but Cardiff are heading in the right direction.
The wildcard in Warnock’s pack six years ago was mercurial Moroccan playmaker Adel Taarabt. While there is no real standout performer in the Cardiff side, rejuvenated striker Kenneth Zohore has hinted in recent matches that he has the ability to score 20 goals a season as well as having an eye for the spectacular.
Speaking ahead of the clash between his current and former sides, Warnock explained he is expecting a warm ovation from Hoops fans.
“When I see QPR fans they say it’s the best year they’ve had. It was very special. They all came on board and it’s one I won’t forget.
“So I’m looking forward to it as I’ve not been back as manager. It will be a good atmosphere and while I’m sure they’ll be glad to see me, they’ll be behind their team.”
Standing in the opposite dugout today will be a familiar adversary for Warnock – Ian Holloway.
The two men have crossed paths on numerous occasions in the Championship and Holloway is now enjoying his second spell in charge of the Hoops, having endured a rocky start.
An unlikely draw away at Newcastle was followed up with victories against Birmingham and Wigan last month as Rangers now sit seven points clear of the bottom three with the threat of relegation dissipating.
Though he has happy memories at Loftus Road, Warnock is now focused purely on Cardiff going forward.
“They’ll (QPR) be trying to pull their budget back a bit, but to be honest, I’m not bothered what QPR or any other club do next year. I’m only bothered about Cardiff because I want to be at the other end of the table,” said Warnock.
The feeling is mutual as Holloway thanked Warnock for his time at QPR but promised him a real match at Loftus Road.
“He’s a QPR boy isn’t he, so thanks for what you’ve done for us but we want to whop you if we can,” said the QPR boss.
“They’ve done brilliantly under Neil and they’ve got six more points than us. We want to try and claw that back. They’re in a good vein of form, but we’re in a better vein of form than we’ve been for a while.”