Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Warnock: I haven’t got a clue what to expect now
NEIL Warnock has endorsed Leicester’s decision to play at Cardiff today following the untimely death of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – but admits he does not know what atmosphere to expect at the game.
Leicester return to action for the first time since the helicopter crash which killed Srivaddhanaprabha and four others just yards from the King Power Stadium following the game against West Ham last Saturday.
The Leicester players had a close bond with the popular Thai owner, but have decided to play the game on what will be an emotional afternoon for them, the management staff and the club’s supporters.
“Originally I didn’t think the game would go ahead, and, if I’m totally honest, I was hoping it wasn’t going to,” Cardiff manager Warnock said at his pre-match press conference.
“Monday and Tuesday this week, it was too emotional. But I understand now where they (Leicester) are and I think it’s a good decision to go ahead with it, because you’ve got to move on and you’ve got to get back to normality as soon as possible.
“I think if I’d been the manager of Leicester, I’d have wanted the lads to play to get their mind on other things because it’s such turmoil.
“And I think Vichai would have wanted that as well, he wanted his lads to play football.”
All Premier League matches this weekend will be preceded by a minute’s silence and players will wear black armbands.
Cardiff supporters also plan to honour Srivaddhanaprabha by unfurling a giant flag with a Thai emblem on it and passing it over to their Leicester counterparts.
“There will be tributes,” Warnock added. “I think it will be a strange atmosphere before kick-off, and I don’t think anybody knows what sort of game it will be. I haven’t got a clue what to expect.”