Neil Warnock reveals why Cardiff City chose to finish pre-season friendly with 10 men -
By Dominic Booth
Tuesday 18th July 2017
Neil Warnock:
"We try and look at every aspect that we need to in pre-season. These games give us that opportunity.
Cardiff City ran out 7-2 winners in their pre-season friendly at AFC Tavistock , but actually finished the game with 10 men after double goal-scorer Nathaniel Mendez-Laing went off and wasn't replaced.
And Neil Warnock revealed after the game it was a deliberate ploy to allow the winger off without being replaced.
Neil Warnock:
"We're going to have to look at three at the back, 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-3-2-1.. you name it," he explained, saying games against the likes of Tavistock and Bodmin Town - who Cardiff face on Wednesday night - offered that chance to experiment.
"The teams you play in the Championship you've got to be prepared to change to something different. Whether you're trying to win the game, or trying to contain and get the points in the bag," he said.
"We try and look at every aspect that we need to in pre-season. These games give us that opportunity.
"And in pre-season it's good to try a few things. Even at the end we went with 10 men to see how we coped with that as well."
On the whole, Warnock was content with his side's showing, particularly the expansive forward play exhibited in a first goal littered by goals.
"I thought it was a really good work out, just what we wanted," Warnock added.
"There were some good goals and some new players got themselves going. The movement in the front third was very good, especially in the first half. We changed it in the first half to accommodate certain situations but it was really enjoyable.
"I was disappointed to concede but then I'm always disappointed to concede. You've got to give Tavistock a lot of credit, they kept going and played some good stuff at times. It was a good night all round, a good crowd and plenty of goals
"I like Tavistock and Bodmin. Good crowds, good pitches and a good atmosphere."
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