NEIL WARNOCK ON MATTHEW KENNEDY

Neil Warnock praises Matty Kennedy's Plymouth Argyle loan spell
By Herald Jak



Wed 19th April 2017

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock told winger Matty Kennedy to make sure he got Plymouth Argyle promotion, when he was sent on loan on transfer deadline day in January.

With five goals from 15 games, including two in the 6-1 thrashing of Newport County, it would be fair to say that his spell with the Pilgrims has been a success.

The move for Kennedy almost didn't happen after Cardiff failed to secure one of their own transfer targets.

But former Argyle boss Warnock was keen to stick to his word by helping out Derek Adams, and allowed the deal to go through.

Warnock said: "He's done ever so well for them, they're really pleased with him.

"I nearly cut my own nose off to spite my face and it was one of those last minute jobs when Blacky (Kevin Blackwell) and Ronnie (Jepson) didn't want to let him go because we couldn't get the player in we wanted.

"So we were a bit short, but I promised Derek (Adams) that I would try and help them.

"When I did let him go, and I thought he had to play games, I said to Matt 'go down there by all means but make sure you get them promoted' and he's been very good for them."

"And I'm pleased for Matty because he's worked really hard."

Warnock has spoken of his desire to try and help Cardiff push on towards the top end of the Championship next season and Kennedy could be part of those plans.



So will Argyle be able to bring him back to Home Park next season or will he be part of Cardiff's Championship side? Only time will tell.

Could Plymouth Argyle loan hero Matty Kennedy help Neil Warnock's Cardiff City promotion bid next season?
By Dominic Booth


The winger has excelled for Plymouth Argyle and Neil Warnock suggested he could bring the 22-year-old back into the first team squad


When Matty Kennedy was sent on loan to Plymouth Argyle on the last day of January, Neil Warnock told him to "tear up League Two".

And after 15 games, five goals and one promotion, it's fair to say the 22-year-old has proven himself too good for English football's fourth tier.

Kennedy's brace to sink Newport County 6-1 on Easter Monday dashed the hopes of many Welsh football fans desperate to see the Exiles survive.

But for Warnock and Cardiff City, it was a beacon of hope; another indication that Kennedy might be able to cut it in the big league after all.

The Bluebirds' transfer budget will only stretch so far in the summer, so will Warnock challenge Kennedy to inject youthful exuberance into his promotion bid instead of looking elsewhere?

Kadeem Harris and Junior Hoilett are both out of contract in the summer, and Anthony Pilkington and Craig Noone could both be sold to generate transfer funds. So a creative wide player will surely be on Warnock's shopping list.

Cardiff tried to sign a winger in January but were unable to land Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes or Blackburn's Liam Feeney. It left Warnock unsure about whether to let Kennedy leave for regular first team football or hang onto him.

Kennedy has been a revelation for the Pilgrims after previously finding first team opportunities hard to come by during a career stunted by unsuccessful loans and injuries.

After graduating through the Kilmarnock academy he was poached by Everton... but never made the grade at Goodison Park.

Spells at Tranmere, MK Dons and Hibernian brought little joy, until Russell Slade was convinced to bring the fleet-of-foot winger to South Wales on a permanent deal in January 2015.

So for a loan move to work out so emphatically — as it now has for Kennedy at Plymouth — is significant.

Warnock's comments suggest the 22-year-old WILL form a part of the Bluebirds squad next season.

If so, it will be yet another chance for Kennedy to make his mark at a high level. Judging on these recent displays, there's no reason why not.

i know he set the place on fire when he arrived but has he maintained his good form throughout his spell there.?

i know he set the place on fire when he arrived but has he maintained his good form throughout his spell there.?

Regularly playing but hadn't scored for a while before a couple against County at the weekend. Definitely keep but maybe let him go back there on loan until Xmas.

Despite not getting much stats after his explosive starts I read as I follow a few Plymouth supporters saying he is way too good for league 2 and is baffling how he didn't get a top team in league one.

With Pilks, Noone and highly likely Harris moving on there is suddenly openings in the wide positions. Hope from hope that NW can do a 'Harris' on him and save us a bundle in the transfer market.

To be honest most times I've seen him for city he has looked like he has something about him. Probably on a low wage so ideal as back up or to push his way in.

Good skilful player who should never have been loaned out. We will need his skill next season.