Warnock sadness at missing the derby
NEIL
Warnock has admitted there’s a downside to his recordbreaking eighth promotion in the Football League when securing Premier football for Cardiff City last weekend – missing out on a south Wales derby with Swansea City in the top flight.
While Warnock’s Bluebirds soared into clashes with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea next season, an eagerly-anticipated derby with Welsh rivals Swansea has been denied them with the Liberty Stadium club all but relegated following their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday night and Huddersfield’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea 24 hours later.
Swansea have already taken swift action as they get to grips with the demands of Championship football next term with manager Carlos Carvalhal set to leave the club at the end of this week.
And Warnock admits missing out on a tasty south Wales derby next season is disappointing.
“I know it sounds silly, but I’m disappointed about Swansea if I’m honest,” Warnock said.
“I know it sounds tongue-incheek, but I mean it.
“I like (Swansea manager) Carlos (Carvalhal) and I was looking forward to that. I’ve not experienced a Welsh derby.”
While a Premier League date with Swansea has been put on the back-burner, Warnock does have a meeting with former club Huddersfield next season and described their top-flight survival as “fantastic”.
One of Warnock’s eight promotions was with Huddersfield in 1995 and he believes the West Yorkshire club’s achievement this season surpasses reaching the top flight via the Sky Bet Championship play-offs last year.
“It’s massive,” added the Bluebirds boss. “It was massive last year, so multiply that by a hundred and you’ve probably got it about right.
“It’s brilliant for everybody there and I’m looking forward to playing them as well.
“I mean, Huddersfield and Cardiff!
“If you would have said 12 months ago Huddersfield and Cardiff in the Premier League they would have laughed at you.”
When asked if Terriers manager David Wagner had outdone his own achievement with Cardiff this season, Warnock joked: “No way!
“But it is fantastic.
“I’m just so pleased for (Huddersfield chairman) Dean (Hoyle) and everybody. They’ve worked so hard for that.” >