Neil Warnock hoping Cardiff can follow in Huddersfield’s footsteps and stay upPress AssociationThe 69-year-old Yorkshireman managed Huddersfield for two years in the 1990s.
Neil Warnock is hoping Cardiff can follow the Huddersfield formula and survive in the Premier League.
Warnock says he has a soft spot for the Yorkshire club he spent two seasons at in the mid-1990s, and where he won one of his record eight promotions.
And the 69-year-old veteran manager admits he was celebrating in May when Huddersfield held Chelsea in the penultimate fixture at Stamford Bridge to secure their top-flight status.
“James and William, my two boys were with me at the end of the season, and we were jumping up and down when they stayed up at Chelsea,” Warnock said at his pre-match press conference.
“Not for selfish reasons about us wanting to get promotion, but just because we wanted Huddersfield to stay up.
“It was a remarkable achievement and it does show you what can be achieved.
“It gets more difficult. Even the money Huddersfield have spent is quite remarkable compared to a few years ago.
“We’re at the bottom end of that and we have to try and creep up and catch them up.”Both clubs have had difficult starts to the season and picked up only one point between them.
Huddersfield have conceded nine goals in losing 3-0 and 6-1 respectively to Chelsea and Manchester City, while Cardiff have yet to score on their return to the division.
Cardiff followed up a 2-0 opening-day defeat at Bournemouth with a goalless draw at home to Newcastle, and the two clubs are expected to be battling against relegation this term.
“They’ll be looking at our game as a must-win after the start they’ve had, although everyone is going to lose two games to Chelsea and Man City,” Warnock said.
“We’ve got that to come next month! Man City can score double figures against anyone on their day because they’ve got so many good players.
“I don’t think it’s a must-win game for us, but we have to try and get results away from home.
“You can get left behind early doors, as long as it’s not too far and it’s against teams around you.”Warnock accepts Cardiff must learn quickly to take their opportunities in front of goal if they are to avoid a long slog this season.
Kenneth Zohore was guilty of missing a couple of chances against Newcastle and it was only Neil Etheridge’s penalty save in stoppage time that earned them a point.
“The worry is we were in one or two good positions at times last week and it didn’t materialise to anything substantial,” Warnock said.
“We had one or two good heading situations that were like a damp squib, so it was disappointing in the last third.
“We are working on that all the time but you’ve still got to get the correct balls in, the desire and the ability. I hope we can get off the mark this weekend.”
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