Neil Warnock has spoken to the media this morning as he prepares to take his side to table topers Newcastle Utd. It's a daunting task for struggling City but if we needed a battling manager who has history with Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez then we have one in Warnock.
How the week has gone in training?
"Up and down, there’s been some good bits and one or two injury problems, hopefully it will level out. We’ve got two or three decisions either way, lads trying to get into the team. There’s been a bit of illness in the camp too so it’s not been great preparation."
Warnock on Benitez
"I have to say how much I admire him. What’s gone on in past will not go away, I was disappointed at the time, but that’s gone. I’ve got nothing but admiration for him, to stick with it. To be relegated and then to stay..he’ll be on a good salary but it’s not money that motivates you at this stage of our career, he wants to win and see the project. I was surprised he stayed but it shows what he thinks of the club. It’s always needed some stability, to start at scratch, and they have the financial muscle. He’ll be looking at Europe him in the next few years with the backing and fan base. Once they take off it’ll be like a steamroller."
'David v Goliath'
"You’re in football for games like this, 50,000 screaming in black and white and lowly Cardoiff. David and Goliath. You’ve got to enjoy it, it’s a bonus game. You have to perform as best as you can. They’ve won 7 on the trot so it will be difficult but it’s another challenge.
"It’s a tremendous occasion, they’re possibly the best fans in the country. They’ve not had much to shout about, you have to give credit to Benitez. He was at Real Madrid two years ago, he not only went down with them but stuck with them. It shows it’s a special club. They’ve got good championship players who could step up and it will be hell of a battle.
City are struggling up front so how is Rickie Lambert doing?
"He is running, but we’ve got problems elsewhere with the striking situation. Perhaps he can make the bench, I don’t know. He’ll definitely be ok for Huddersfield, it’s whether this is too soon. We won’t take a risk. He did some training on his own, non contact."
Last weeks defeat by Wigan was points dropped
"People say it’s a point dropped for me it’s three points dropped. But you have to score. We looked at our opportunities and theirs and their’s were over in a flash. That’s football if you lose concentration.
"And Newcastle, no disrespect to Wigan, we watched them destroy Preston and Ronnie Jepson said they’re the best squad he’s even seen in the Championship. That’s the bad news, but the good news they can only play 11. We feel we can have players who can cause them problems, but we have to have everyone on top of their game."
Warnock has managed striker Dwight Gayle before
"He’s the best finisher I’ve ever had, you just couldn’t find a system week in week out. He always wanted to be loved, Rafa has loved him. In the box he comes alive and would get in anybody’s team in the 18 yard box, but Rafa has put other things to his game, he looks far more complete player. The good news they only have 11 and we have to look after ourselves, we have good players. We now they’ve brushed aside most teams in the last few weeks, but with the crowd behind them it will be a hectic start and we’ll have to defend from the first minute. But you relish the challenge. No disrespect to some of the teams, I don’t think there’s a better scenario. My first game back with Palace was there and we got a 3-3 draw, you have to relish it and hope you perform at best of ability. If you have any weaknesses you’ll get punished.
"I’d be surprised if they don’t finish six or seven points above third. There might be another who hangs on the coat tails."
Warnock was asked by a reporter: Will you shake Benitez’s hand?
"Yes, of course I would."
Newcastle United v Cardiff City
Saturday, 3:00pm