Warnock says Bluebirds are ready to ‘give it a go’
NEIL Warnock may have his sights firmly locked on a promotion charge with Cardiff City this season, but the manager wants to compete on multiple fronts.
Because while last season saw the Bluebirds dumped out of both cup competitions at the opening stage, Warnock – now with a newlyexpanded squad – isn’t prepared to lose focus in the same way.
He wants Cardiff to gather valuable momentum, generated by the 1-0 victory over Burton Albion on Saturday, secured by a morale-boosting late goal from Kenneth Zohore.
And though tonight’s Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth will see Warnock shuffle his pack somewhat, it provides a chance for those fringe players to press their case for more regular inclusion.
That’s especially true in the case of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Loic Damour and Danny Ward; the three new signings whose impact off the bench at Burton drew praise from the boss.
All three could make their first competitive starts for the Bluebirds against League One Pompey in the cup tie. All three could feasibly merit first team inclusion against Aston Villa on Saturday given their displays at the Pirelli Stadium.
“I’m going to play some other lads,” admitted Warnock. “I’ll definitely play Murph (goalkeeper) Brian Murphy) and one or two others, probably Mendez.”
The manager’s desire to rotate his squad is understandable of course, given that the mouth-watering league clash with Villa lies just around the corner.
With that in mind, the likes of Zohore, Aron Gunnarsson and Sol Bamba may well be rested. The young Danish striker has a battle with Villa captain John Terry to prepare for, let’s not forget. Gunnarsson will be tested against Glenn Whelan, Bamba against Scott Hogan and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
But while last season’s mediocrity was illustrated by limp defeats to Bristol Rovers and Fulham in the cups, Warnock knows the value of a cup run.
He gained notoriety with Sheffield United on a sparkling streak to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2003. The Blades were sunk by Arsenal in a controversial encounter that year, but Warnock’s side continued their meteoric rise with promotion to the Premier League three years later.
This time around, he’s given himself a year to propel Cardiff in the same direction. Which is why he won’t lie down against Pompey.
“I want to get through that (game against Porstmouth) if I can,” added Warnock. “I don’t see why we can’t have a run in the cup.”
The manager joked that his assistant (Kevin Blackwell) was demanding a full strength side. But Warnock, forever the pragmatist, will pick and choose carefully.
Following Kadeem Harris’ threemonth lay-off, the Bluebirds can illafford more injury problems at this early stage of the season.
Promotion-chasing sides like Villa, who boast an expensively-assembled squad, blessed with depth, will deal with the rigour of the season.
The Bluebirds are less well-stocked but nonetheless will ask their hungry players, starved of first-team football, to step up tonight.
“Blacky wants me to play the full team! He wants to win everything,“joked Warnock.
“But we’ve got to be a bit careful if I’m honest.
“Young (Matty) Kennedy has done very well in pre-season and I was disappointed that he had to miss out (at Burton).
“I said to him ‘you’ve done brilliant’. He’s in front of Craig (Noone) at the moment so I will probably play Kennedy on Tuesday.
“I’ll probably play Stuart O’Keefe, I’ve already spoken to him about the game.
“So let’s have a look at some of these other lads.
“But it’s a great habit, winning, and we really want to give it a go.”
Meanwhile, Portsmouth – now managed by former Swansea chief Kenny Jackett – will be looking to build on their opening-day 2-0 win over Rochdale.
After two goals from summer signing Brett Pitman clinched the win, Jackett said: “I am very pleased, the result was exactly what you want – a clean sheet and a win.
“However, we have plenty of work to do. But hopefully that can give the players the right type of confidence.
“‘Our recovery runs to defend were very good, though, and we’ll be looking to continue that at Cardiff.”