OJO...AND THE BOZO
Warnock: Ref a disgrace AGAIN!
NEIL WARNOCK slammed referee John Brooks after Sheyi Ojo denied him a dream Cardiff return.
The Middlesbrough boss had seen George Saville head home Marcus Tavernier’s corner in the first half on his first return to the Welsh capital since leaving last year.
But Liverpool loanee Ojo earned Cardiff a point with a goal that veteran Warnock felt should never have stood.
“I thought we did enough to win it and I’m disappointed with the goal,” Warnock, 71, said.
“It’s an obvious foul to start with.
“They’ve blocked Saville to give Kieffer Moore a free header.
“Referees at this level should be able to see things like that.
“It’s a disgrace really after last Saturday’s offside that wasn’t offside.
“That’s FOUR points we’ve thrown away this week with decisions.
“We’ve done a thousand miles this week and the Middlesbrough fans should be proud of those players.
“We’ve responded in those three games.”
Warnock had enjoyed huge success with Cardiff, leading them into the Premier League in his three years in charge, with a direct style of play, before leaving in November 2019.
And in a dig at his successor as Bluebirds manager, Neil Harris, the visiting boss added: “I was told they’d changed style since I’d left. I’m not sure it has changed if I’m honest.”
Boro produced the trademark Warnock tactics here to rough up Cardiff.
Moore and Harry Wilson went close for the Bluebirds before Saville came up trumps by beating Will Vaulks in the air.
Referee Brooks’ calls angered both sides throughout the game.
In the second half Vaulks had a shot saved and the hosts went direct as German Robert Glatzel was introduced to join Moore in attack.
It worked in the end, but the long balls did negate the threat of main man Wilson.
Boro had their chances to make it 2- 0 with Tavernier the big threat.
But Cardiff equalised when Moore headed down a corner, Glatzel got something on it, and Ojo finished.
Wilson, Ojo and Moore had chances for a late winner but Cardiff have still not won at home this season.
Harris said: “The two disappointments are we didn’t score more goals with the chances we created and secondly, to concede such a poor goal from a set-piece again.
“That’s three times we’ve conceded from setplays and four games in a row here we have conceded first at home.
“That’s not acceptable in my changing room. I’m majorly disappointed.”