Play-offs not on agenda any more, saysWarnock
NEIL Warnock has ruled out any lingering hopes that Cardiff City might make the playoffs this season ahead of tonight’s visit to Blackburn Rovers.
The Bluebirds’ defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday left them 15 points adrift of the top six, as playoff contenders Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and Fulham all won.
The Cardiff boss will now start putting together plans for next season, with promotion firmly in his sights.
He lauded his players for their committed displays in recent weeks, but admitted the current Cardiff squad isn’t capable of a late surge into the play-off places.
“If we can’t win (at Loftus Road) when we’ve dominated like that, we’re not going to get into the playoffs are we?,” Warnock said.
“To get where we are has been fabulous. The lads have really done well for me.”
Warnock will now turn his attention to tonight’s clash with Blackburn, whose form has taken an upturn after replacing former boss Owen Coyle with Tony Mowbray.
The Lancashire club have claimed back-to-back victories and will pose a stern test for Warnock’s depleted Cardiff squad, who face a long trip to Ewood Park before Saturday’s home game against Birmingham City.
“We’re a little but short in certain areas,” Warnock admitted.
“But I’m looking forward to Blackburn.
“They won again (on Saturday, against Wigan) so it will be nice to go up and try and get the points.”
Aron Gunnarsson is struggling with illness but may recover in time for the game, while Anthony Pilkington could make just his second start since scoring a memorable brace in the 3-2 victory at Bristol City on January 14.
Pilkington came off the bench at Loftus Road on Saturday as he continued his comeback from injury.
Joe Bennett is also in contention to return while Rickie Lambert, Lee Peltier and Bruno Manga all remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
Warnock reiterated that he will use the remaining games of the season to fine tune his squad ahead of a busy summer of ins and outs at Cardiff City Stadium.
“We’ve got 11 games left to look at the others to make sure.
“I’m looking all the time to see what we need to have a good go next year. We don’t want to mess about next year.”