A perfect match... Why Warnock and Bamba go together like bacon and eggs

On the face of it, they’re an unlikely double act. There’s Neil Warnock, the gnarled veteran who still speaks broad Yorkshire having been brought up with Sheffield steel in his veins, coupled with his ‘take it or leave it’ approach to life.

And then there’s Sol Bamba, the smiling, softly-spoken centre-back with five languages to his name and the philosophy of Paris Saint Germain embedded into him from the age of 11.

Of course, his year at Cardiff City has underlined the fact that Warnock is far more nuanced than the image the cameras often like and focus on.

And with Bamba, a far more genteel character in need of a comforting arm than his dominant style of defending might suggest, there’s perhaps nothing odd about the couple that are at the heart of the Bluebirds’ revival.

One is at his best when confident, one is the master of bringing it out of people. Together they’ve been perfect for each other and perfect for the club that – six years on – they’ve finally linked up at.

“I get some stick from the other lads – they call him my dad,” laughs Bamba.

If Warnock’s bond with captain Chris Morgan defined his time and success at Sheffield United, it might be his connection with his “colossus” Cardiff City v Derby County, Sky Bet Championship Where: Cardiff City Stadium When: Saturday, September 30, 3pm KO Odds: Cardiff City win 1/1, Draw 12/5, Derby win 14/5 Key Men: Kenneth Zohore (Cardiff City) The Dane’s brace fired the Bluebirds to victory against Leeds and the forward will aim to add to his tally of three goals this season against the Rams. Tom Lawrence (Derby County) Bamba that defines his time at Cardiff, though it’s one with far more of a family feel than a general and lieutenant.

“It’s closer than I’ve been to any other manager,” the 33-year-old said. “I was close to Sven (Goran Eriksson) who took me to Leicester and we still talk now, but the gaffer here is definitely more of a father figure. I’ve said that before but he really is. We talk a lot, not just about football but about my family, my wife, even money on how best to invest.

“But it’s not just me, he’s like it with The Welshman is no stranger to Cardiff City Stadium having joiend the Bluebirds on loan from Leicester last year, and the 23-year-old is certainly capable of amking Derby tick when he’s on song. What the managers have said: Neil Warnock (Cardiff City) “I think they’ll be up there, near the top two, but there’s a long way to go. Anyone can win four on a row or lose four in a row. That’s why we have to enjoy this while we can.” Gary Rowett (Derby) “I will accept results have not been a good as we would like them to be. I everyone; I think it’s just because, like him, I’m an expressive person. He’s the same with other lads who are more quiet.

“He can just walk into the dressing room, know when someone might not have had a good night and go and talk to them. I don’t know how he does it. He’s fantastic with every individual.” And yet you can’t help shake the idea that there’s something a little more between Bamba and Warnock, something picked up upon on Tuesday night when the pair bickered during will not hide from that. I had hoped we would hit the ground running a little bit quicker. Still very much positive about what we are doing.” Probable teams: Cardiff City: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Manga; Bennett; Ralls, Bamba, Damour; Mendez-Laing, Zohore, Hoilett. Derby: Carson, Wisdom, Keogh, Davies, Forsyth, Huddlestone, Ledley, Vydra, Johnson, Lawrence, Winnall. Referee: James Linington By Ian Mitchelmore the game – at one stage Bruno Manga had to shove Bamba to get on with the game as he continued to argue – before a warm embrace of mutual delight once the whistle sounded.

“I think that typifies the relationship,” Bamba says. “But you know what, I watched the game again and I had to apologise to him because he was right! But it shows how we are both competitors.”

Warnock’s orders were for Bamba to be moving further up the pitch after