“ NEIL WARNOCK: TONIGHT OPENED MY EYES TO TEAM SELECTION “

Tuesday 28th August 2018

By Dominic Booth

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is sidelined for three months while Junior Hoilett is being treated with "kid gloves" ahead of Cardiff City's clash with Arsenal, Neil Warnock confirmed.

The Cardiff boss revealed the extent of his injury problems in wide areas following the Bluebirds' 3-1 defeat to Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.

It was a result and performance that Warnock admitted did little to alter his first-team plans as Cardiff's fringe players flattered to deceive against the Canaries.

"It showed that quite a lot of the lads needed games, we were a little bit off the pace," said Warnock.

"But it's opened my eyes to team selection for Sunday and that's what it was meant to be.

"The only major decision I had in my mind for Sunday, I won't be doing that now... I more or less know what my team's going to be (to face Arsenal) and tonight didn't put me off that, 10 out of 11 players I've got that in my mind."

Mendez-Laing has torn his posterior cruciate ligament meaning he will be out of action for three months, but could return before Christmas.

Warnock, meanwhile is sweating on the fitness of Hoilett, who missed the 0-0 draw with Huddersfield with a groin problem.

"He’s done his posterior cruciate, which is good news my physio says," said Warnock on Mendez-Laing, who was injured in an early clash with Terriers keeper Ben Hamer on Saturday.

“Because if he’d done his anterior [cruciate ligament] that’s all season, whereas he’ll probably be back in December. Three months, something like that.”

On Hoilett, he added: "We’re crossing our fingers now, treating him with kid gloves.

“I’m hoping he’ll train on Friday. If he’s anywhere near, he’ll play [against Arsenal on Sunday] because that’s the kind of lad he is.

“But I won’t risk him if he’s not. We’ve got two weeks international break and, as much as I’d love to, I don’t want to jeopardise him, not now we’ve got Mendez-Laing out.”

As I thought NW treated this game as a friendly to view some players. Don’t know why so many are panicking.

We are panicking because after that performance it is obvious we have no back up players for the first team.

We are panicking because after that performance it is obvious we have no back up players for the first team.

We have had many shockers in the league cup especially when so many changes. I'd bet if you just put one or two of them in the first team you would see a different player. Just looks like NW got it wrong.

We are panicking because after that performance it is obvious we have no back up players for the first team.

You’ve only just realised this

It was "obvious" going into the PL season we had no depth
Enough of the negativity bluesman, just stay positive. We’re 15th and have Arsenal up next, these are the good times, enjoy

Why didn t they ask him " Norwich made 10 changes but they were up for it..why not Cardiff""

As I thought NW treated this game as a friendly to view some players. Don’t know why so many are panicking.

Treating a competitive cup match as a friendly, so that means we should be behind Warnock? For me this shows a very bad side and quite pathetic side that we now treat competitive games as friendlies.

As I thought NW treated this game as a friendly to view some players. Don’t know why so many are panicking.

Treating a competitive cup match as a friendly, so that means we should be behind Warnock? For me this shows a very bad side and quite pathetic side that we now treat competitive games as friendlies.

It should have opened his eyes to the fact we have no strength in depth. In reality were trying to compete in the Premier with half a squad.

As I thought NW treated this game as a friendly to view some players. Don’t know why so many are panicking.

Treating a competitive cup match as a friendly, so that means we should be behind Warnock? For me this shows a very bad side and quite pathetic side that we now treat competitive games as friendlies.

It should have opened his eyes to the fact we have no strength in depth. In reality were trying to compete in the Premier with half a squad.

Pretty much, I can get behind that and can understand the finances and difficulty of bringing more in but I expect from a Warnock team 100% no matter the opposition or occasion.

Seeing Zohore, Ward and Paterson not only creating opportunities but just giving more in effort and for the cause, us fans seem to thrive on that compared to your likes Fulham is effort and hard work rather than technical ability and class in possession and I think Paterson closed down a keepers kick and the fans roared, like I felt like the team in the first half pressed half-heartedly for me I don't understand with this whole pressing thing you see in the game now.. like watching Liverpool and Man City do it no matter what the class of players you have you either go fully press a team or you just drop back and just go man for man..

I felt like Zohore fell victim of this a lot since he broke into the team v Wolves in 2016 where he would press with 100% but would never have anyone help out and press with him then led fans to criticse him for being lazy in some games without realising he has always try to press and put people under in most of his games he played for us but would then give up because why should he run around hopelessly if no-one will help press?

I am sure if we get a decent performance and result Sunday that people will chase mine and others peoples posts saying what do I say now? I just feel like even a cup game no matter how small it is should be open for debate and criticism if it's there to be given.