Warnock’s jigsaw still minus some key pieces
MAVERICK MIDFIELD MAN IN SUPERB SHAPE BUT WILL HE DO ENOUGH TO BE KEY MAN FOR CARDIFF?
THE season is now just under a week away, but Neil Warnock is still missing a very large piece in this plans to build a side capable of winning promotion.
A new striker was at the top of Warnock’s shopping list even before Kenneth Zohore confirmed his move to West Bromwich Albion, but the cravings for a new goalscoring hero have reached fever pitch levels among Bluebirds fans.
Warnock knows that the failure to appease the supporters by getting the right man on board to lead the line will see Cardiff start the new campaign under pressure and on the back foot.
And, while 18,000 fans have already signed up to his vision for a promotion push, there is a small pocket growing increasingly restless about their side’s dealings in the transfer market, and the comments made by the Yorkshireman on Saturday will have done little to ease concerns.
The striker search What he said:
“I’m really looking at strike force more than anything and we haven’t had much luck, it’s no good saying we’re near. We aren’t that near.
“I imagine it’s about 50/50 at the minute.
“I’m not just going to sign anybody for the sake of it. We have got two major targets but at the moment I’m afraid neither of them we can say we’ve got a good chance of getting them.
“If you could give me two or three players this week I’d be absolutely delighted because I don’t think we’ve got enough to think about automatic promotion.”
What could happen next:
Gary Madine’s injury has left Warnock with only two fit out-and-out strikers ahead of the season opener with Wigan Athletic, so you can forgive him for being so keen to play down his side’s promotion opportunities.
But while he admits it’s not quite
going to plan, Warnock remains in reasonably high spirits.
When further pressed on what he was looking for, he joked: “25 goals, 6ft 4, 8.700 yards and good in the air.”
Such quips are hardly the mark of a man feeling the pressure, and although a cynic may say it’s Warnock’s way of putting a brave face on things, there are genuine positives.
Omar Bogle has been City’s stand out performer in pre-season, and looks completely rejuvenated since his return from a season-and-a-halflong exile, while Callum Paterson, a huge favourite with Warnock, is also returning.
Yes, Cardiff don’t appear to be close to a breakthrough on a new recruit, but even if they were, Warnock would hardly be shouting it from the rooftops. He’s made dampening expectations into something of an art over the years. His keenness to play down their promotion chances should they fail to get their man shows he understands the gravity of the situation in terms of Cardiff’s promotion hopes if they don’t land a striker, but he’s clearly got little intention of pushing the panic button just yet.
The lack of possible names at this stage means some fans might not be so patient, and defeat on the opening day will only crank up the pressure to get someone on board.
However, there’s clearly a plan on the table aimed at addressing things, and Warnock’s been in this game long enough to know that rushing into matters and getting the wrong man on board will risk doing more harm than good.
Getting it right will be crucial and, if it takes a bit of time, will be well worth the wait.
On goalkeepers What he said:
“As I’ve said before, we’ll listen to anything.
“I’ve not heard anything and I don’t think Neil has.”
“I think we’ve got three great keepers.
“It wouldn’t worry me playing any of three. Joe Day’s had a fantastic pre-season, Smithies is as reliable as anything and Neil is what he is.
“So it wouldn’t worry me if an offer came in for Neil, Smithies or whatever, because I’m very happy in that department.
“It’s the other end of the field that I’m concerned with really.”
What could happen next:
Outgoings too are clearly a part of the vision for the season, but even that side of things has sparked concern in the last few days.
The rumours linking Neil Etheridge with a move to Aston Villa simply refuse to go away and Warnock’s latest comments mean that’s unlikely to change any time soon.
The Filipino goalkeeper is arguably one of only a handful of players in