“ Harry Arter / Neil Warnock “
Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:18 am
The Harry Arter-inspired shift behind the scenes at Cardiff City that fills Neil Warnock with survival hope
Sunday 2nd September 2018
Neil Warnock could scarcely be happier with Arter's contribution since signing on loan from Bournemouth
One of Neil Warnock's footballing phrases is "the grass isn't always greener".
He used to apply it to Arsenal fans with Arsene Wenger.
And while the Cardiff City boss may (quite rightly, some might may) still harbour some grumblings regarding the club's failure to land a striker on transfer deadline day, it's another new player who is reminding Warnock to cherish what he has got.
Harry Arter was the man Warnock and the Bluebirds hierarchy chose to prioritise on the final day of the window. Getting a striker? That would have been dreamland.
Warnock is just glad he got Arter, the on-loan Bournemouth midfielder who is already making a huge impact both on and off the field after just two action packed appearances in a blue shirt. Cardiff had to fight hard for his signature and so far the Irish international has been worth it.
"He’s just vital. I can’t tell you the relief on the night we signed him," said Warnock.
"It was quarter to seven when we got him. Harry had another couple of clubs interested in him, but I spoke to him a couple of times and told him how important he would be to us. He just wants to play. He’s the sort of guy who would take his jumper off, put it down as a goal post, and play in the park.
"He’s full of enthusiasm and that rubs off on the players. There is no other side to him and I have to calm him down a little bit in training because he’ll do too much.
"We’ll have a hard day and afterwards, he’ll want to do some sprints. He shows an example to the other lads about what you have to do to play at this level."
Warnock wouldn't have it any other way, despite being personally warned by Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe about Arter's disciplinary record.
But ask Cardiff fans whether they care that Arter has received a booking in each of his appearances so far? The Bluebirds faithful have always loved a scrapper. Both Warnock and Arter have that in common.
On the terraces, the talk is of Arter's passion, his vision, the way he leads by example on the pitch — although Warnock admits will he have to temper Arter's more fiery side at times this season.
"We need him and I have had a chat with him (about yellow cards and discipine). In fairness, Eddie said you have to take that side with him," added Warnock.
"He gets booked quite a lot and Bournemouth got used to that. You have to be careful as you don’t want to curb that, it’s what makes him so good.
"He’s a really good pro and it rubs off on others. It’s no coincidence Joe Ralls and Victor Camarasa have upped their game because of Harry."
And it's not just on the pitch against Arsenal where Warnock will be looking to Arter, 28, and his Premier League experience.
This Cardiff squad has no shortage of leaders — Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison et al — but they now have another in their ranks, with Arter vocal about where his teammates went wrong in their last two games, both goalless draws.
Harry Arter's first two Cardiff City matches
90 minutes played in both games
Two yellow cards
87 passes
79.3 per cent pass success rate
5 tackles
Sunday 2nd September 2018
Neil Warnock could scarcely be happier with Arter's contribution since signing on loan from Bournemouth
One of Neil Warnock's footballing phrases is "the grass isn't always greener".
He used to apply it to Arsenal fans with Arsene Wenger.
And while the Cardiff City boss may (quite rightly, some might may) still harbour some grumblings regarding the club's failure to land a striker on transfer deadline day, it's another new player who is reminding Warnock to cherish what he has got.
Harry Arter was the man Warnock and the Bluebirds hierarchy chose to prioritise on the final day of the window. Getting a striker? That would have been dreamland.
Warnock is just glad he got Arter, the on-loan Bournemouth midfielder who is already making a huge impact both on and off the field after just two action packed appearances in a blue shirt. Cardiff had to fight hard for his signature and so far the Irish international has been worth it.
"He’s just vital. I can’t tell you the relief on the night we signed him," said Warnock.
"It was quarter to seven when we got him. Harry had another couple of clubs interested in him, but I spoke to him a couple of times and told him how important he would be to us. He just wants to play. He’s the sort of guy who would take his jumper off, put it down as a goal post, and play in the park.
"He’s full of enthusiasm and that rubs off on the players. There is no other side to him and I have to calm him down a little bit in training because he’ll do too much.
"We’ll have a hard day and afterwards, he’ll want to do some sprints. He shows an example to the other lads about what you have to do to play at this level."
Warnock wouldn't have it any other way, despite being personally warned by Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe about Arter's disciplinary record.
But ask Cardiff fans whether they care that Arter has received a booking in each of his appearances so far? The Bluebirds faithful have always loved a scrapper. Both Warnock and Arter have that in common.
On the terraces, the talk is of Arter's passion, his vision, the way he leads by example on the pitch — although Warnock admits will he have to temper Arter's more fiery side at times this season.
"We need him and I have had a chat with him (about yellow cards and discipine). In fairness, Eddie said you have to take that side with him," added Warnock.
"He gets booked quite a lot and Bournemouth got used to that. You have to be careful as you don’t want to curb that, it’s what makes him so good.
"He’s a really good pro and it rubs off on others. It’s no coincidence Joe Ralls and Victor Camarasa have upped their game because of Harry."
And it's not just on the pitch against Arsenal where Warnock will be looking to Arter, 28, and his Premier League experience.
This Cardiff squad has no shortage of leaders — Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison et al — but they now have another in their ranks, with Arter vocal about where his teammates went wrong in their last two games, both goalless draws.
Harry Arter's first two Cardiff City matches
90 minutes played in both games
Two yellow cards
87 passes
79.3 per cent pass success rate
5 tackles
