Warnock plays down Rowett’s comments
NEIL Warnock heaped praise on Gary Rowett following the Derby County manager’s comments that the Cardiff City boss has created “a bit of needle” between the Rams and the Bluebirds.
The Yorkshireman takes his side to Pride Park tonight for the rearranged fixture which was originally due to take place in March before controversially being called off due to snow.
Speaking at the time, Warnock branded the decision to call off the game a “disgrace” and ahead of the clash between the sides, Rowett said: “Neil has created a bit of needle, I don’t think anyone else has stoked things up. “I’ve got no problem with that. “I still like the guy. It’s all a bit panto at times, though!
“My only worry is that I’ve come in this morning and the weather is a bit cold!”
But Warnock swatted away any concerns that there were problems between the two sides, adding that he’s a big fan of the Rams’ boss.
“I’m definitely not going to give you any extra lines that you want,” said the Cardiff boss.
“I’ve listened to some presenters asking questions to managers at difficult times and I cringe.
“We’re just looking forward to the three games, not just Derby.
“They’re a proper football club, and one I wish I could’ve managed in the past.
“They’ve always got a really loud backing and there’s a lot pressure on them to get into the playoffs. It’s set up to be a cracking game.
“I think he’s a very good manager. I like Gary. I speak to him, well I have done in the past.
“He’s very much like myself, I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that.
“He’s very sincere and puts everything into his job.
“He likes players to give him everything and I think it was the right appointment and I think it will be long term.”
NEIL Warnock admits it will be business as usual for his Cardiff City stars during their Championship promotion run-in.
The Bluebirds’ destiny remains firmly in their own hands ahead of their clash with Derby County at Pride Park tonight, and Warnock’s men will clinch automatic promotion into the Premier League with two wins from their final three league outings against the Rams, Hull City and Reading.
And Warnock admits that Fulham - who extended their unbeaten run in the league to 22 games with a 3-0 win over Millwall at The Den last time out - would have romped to a top two place in any other season had his Bluebirds side not been around.
“It’s tough isn’t it, but I do love it,” said Warnock.
“You start the season, you know all the rules and we tried to focus on getting into the playoffs. By Christmas we realised we could have loftier ambitions. Instead of fading away after a horrific December, I think we just got stronger.
“Even after the disappointments of Wolves and Aston Villa, you’re bound to be down, but we have picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves off and gone again.
“In a normal season, Fulham would have walked it by now. 22 games unbeaten with the players they’ve got. We must be like something they want to swat away, like a rash or something.
“But we keep going and it’s making it an interesting end to the season for TV and the media because otherwise it would just be a twohorse race and it would have been finished by now.
“I think the lads are all looking forward to it. We can go into it (against Derby) in good spirits knowing if
things don’t go right, we’ve still got two more games to have a go at. We’ll be going there to try and win the game like Derby will, because both clubs have to do that.
“Three games in a week is tough, especially the way we play. Everyone seems in good spirits and they all want to have a go. Even the lads who haven’t been involved. Jazz Richards is back with us today.
“I think Derby County away and Hull City away are two of the toughest games anyway. Reading at home to finish with, they are fighting too. There aren’t any easy games.
“Sunderland being relegated, you expect Fulham to overpower them. We’ve got to try and be in a position where we can win promotion in these three games.”
The Bluebirds are currently one point ahead of Slavisa Jokanovic’s side who end their campaign with games against relegated Sunderland and strugglers Birmingham City.
Fulham would reach 91 points if they won both of their final two matches, a tally Cardiff would eclipse if they secure victories in two of their last three games.