Warnock focused on play-off security first

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock says a play-off spot is still the target despite moving to within six points of Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves with a 1-0 win over Bristol City.

Kenneth Zohore came off the bench to snatch an 82nd-minute winner, with the Dane in the right place at the right time to fire Cardiff into the lead after Joe Ralls’ cross was mis-kicked by Callum Paterson.

The three points takes the Bluebirds four points clear of third-placed Aston Villa and to within two wins of the runaway leaders.

Cardiff are unbeaten in eight matches and have now kept 16 clean sheets this season, but Warnock is not getting carried away with their form.

He said: “We’re delighted to come out of it with three points. It’s great to come out with another clean sheet, we’ve reached our target of 16 this season now which is a great achievement.

“We made changes as well, people like Halford and Feeney, I looked at our team sheet before the game with no Morrison, Gunnarsson or Zohore.

“I would have been crying 12 months ago if that had been the case, it shows how far we’ve come as a squad.

“We’re 15 points away from seventh now, that’s where we’re looking, we’re almost in the play-offs now.

“Right from day one that was our target and anything else is a bonus to us. We have tough games coming up but three clean sheets in a week isn’t bad.

“The boys do me proud, we haven’t got the Rolls Royces of the division but we’ve got some endeavour and a lot of skill in some areas as well.”

Bristol City remain in the final play-off place, and manager Lee Johnson says his players can stay in the promotion race if they stick to his game plan.

He said: “It was a stinker of a game, I got in for free and I still want my money back.

“I’m disappointed with the way we conceded the goal, I’m pleased with how we stood up to a physical Cardiff team but we were mediocre on the ball.

“I just said to the players how it is important they pay the game I want to play, because I believe in it.

“The squad has been hit by three or four injuries but I believe we can still play the way I want to play.

“I don’t want the players to be struck by fear with our league position, this plan is long term for Bristol City, I will take the blame if it doesn’t work.

“We’re competing for a play-off place now, you can’t have delusions of grandeur now. We have to finish top of our mini-league table and we’ll do that by playing our way.”