PRESS CONFERENCE: NEIL WARNOCK UPDATES AHEAD OF SPURS GAME

Live Cardiff City press conference as Neil Warnock reveals transfer and injury latest ahead of Tottenham clash
By Dominic Booth

The latest news from Cardiff City as Warnock issues a media briefing


Cardiff City look to follow up their stunning victory over Leicester City with another triumph against Tottenham on New Year's Day.





The main press conference talking points

NEIL WARNOCK:

Neil Warnock hinted that Cardiff City were tracking Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara


And is still on the hunt for Nathaniel Clyne on loan from Liverpool, if a deal can be done


The Cardiff boss believes his side’s improved form could help persuade players to join the club when the window opens


He spoke at length about New Year’s Day opponents Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino


The Bluebirds have no fresh injury problems ahead of the clash with third-place Spurs


Warnock also said 2018 has been ‘the most amazing’, reflecting on a superb year for Cardiff City

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

The Bluebirds have been linked with Finland international Glen Kamara in recent days, while Nantes striker Emiliano Sala is on Warnock's wanted list...if the right deal can be struck.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne also appears to still be a potential loan option.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Kenneth Zohore remains injured for the Bluebirds, and Warnock will update on his progress.

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

A new song for Victor Camara...?

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

It has been a good few days for Cardiff supporters following the dramatic late win over Leicester

Neil Warnock is almost ready to update the Cardiff City faithful...

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

The conference begins ahead of the New Year's Day Spurs game (CCS, KO 5:30pm - Live on Sky Sorts)



NEIL WARNOCK:


Injuries?

"Nothing that I’m aware of. Jazz Richards is training and Danny Ward is doing some light training. Zohore is still a while away."

Etheridge's penalty saving?



NEIL WARNOCK:

"I hope Tottenham haven’t got any ex-president names! People must have a sad life for stats like that mustn’t they? He’s done well, he’s made mistakes and got a lot to learn, but he’s improving in a lot of aspects."

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Spurs?



NEIL WARNOCK:


"It’s a massive challenge, they’ve got so many quality players. One bad result and it’s a catastrophe in the press, but it’s an exciting club with the prospect of a new stadium and the number of quality English lads is great for us. I admire Pochettino and his staff."


Spurs for the title?

"No, I don’t think they’re title contenders. They would be in a normal situation, but we’ve got two incredible teams at the moment. Liverpool are flying but Man City have got wounded heroes. That game will be great on Thursday."


Kane?

"We did well against him at Wembley. We’ve had two great games at the back after the Man United debacle. Sometimes Harry Kane will cut you to shreds, we’ve coped with a lot of top strikers and he’s just another one"


(Kane) Booked for diving?

"What can you say? Our penalty was given and yes you can say he touched him. It depends what referee you get nowadays and it’s so difficult to see diving. I say to my players ‘try not to breathe on them’ because they’ll be down"

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Bigger clubs get decisions?

"I’ve always said that, but the reason why is they have more of the ball, 60 or 70 per cent possession. It’s very difficult for referees and I think VAR is a good thing. It will clear up 90 per cent and it will help"

Target?

"Everyone says about 40 points but that’s been kicked to bed. Some of the teams that are really comfortable are capable of having a bad run and coming back into the pack"

January?

"We’ve got no concrete decisions. Even if we sign players, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be in the team. It’s a difficult league to come into, they say it takes six months to bed in, but we haven’t got six months"

Sala?

"There’s always a chance with everybody, we’ve spoke to clubs about numerous people. I read somewhere that the player doesn’t want to come, but I wouldn’t believe everything you read. Things could change."

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Clyne?

"We’ve spoken to Liverpool early on in the window, but he’s their player and they’ll decide. I’ve always liked Nathaniel and we are looking at that position, but that would fill our loans up and mean we can’t sign a striker, which I think is stupid"

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Kamara at Dundee?

"I read that at Dundee, I’ll have to ask our lads if we’re interested. He’s a good player without a shadow of a doubt, he’s one of a number of Scottish lads we’ve looked at."

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Transfers in general?

"If you look at the club at the moment, it’s an appealing place to come. I can only have one loan from England, the rest would be from abroad. If we do sign people permanent, it’d have to be the right kind of investment. Mehmet talks to Vincent regularly and Ken Choo does too. Mehmet and Ken now know how difficult it is, they realise hands on it’s extremely difficult. Ten times more difficult than the Championship!"


Results have helped transfer search?

"I think Vincent has always known, as far back as September, that we are short in the squad. But what pleased me this week is that we made five changes and the players have been superb. I had one or two meetings with players who were unhappy. But it showed at the final whistle of both games what the players are like. They’re all proving valuable. I’ve never been one for changes, but the level of fitness nowadays is unbelievable."

Players knocking on door?

"That’s the worst part, telling a player he’s not even in the seven subs when he’s played the week before. We’ve got a couple of good left- backs, sometimes you just have to tell them the truth! You have to believe in what you’re doing as a manager."


More changes? Poch said Spurs tired?

"They’ve had a few good days rest, but the pitch looked quite heavy at Wembley, you don’t want that. They’ll love our pitch though, like Man United did!"


Kane not scored v Cardiff?

"We hope that will continue! He’s just a good person, he epitomises everything that’s good about English football. A good leader, talker. I didn’t like him confronting Rallsy but I can understand it. Young Winks is doing a good job too, it’s great what Poch is doing. Tottenham have now got a better squad than what they’ve had, they used to just have a good 11."

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

2018 as a year?

"From a calendar year, it’s probably the most amazing club I’ve been around. You’ve got to be inside the club to know where you’ve come from. 2018 after what we did surviving and losing every game last December and reading the doom and gloom, to get automatic promotion was just amazing. None of it could have been done without everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. I’ll never forget the fans and the way they got behind us at Hull City. The fans have been No.1 really, I’ve never heard anything like that. You feel so proud to be in charge of a club like that."

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

How to avoid another Man Utd result?

"Most clubs if we’d got a battering that day, Crystal Palace away would have been a massive ask. Leicester then was a massive challenge but I thought we deserved it. We’re the worst club in the division for scoring first… we’ve only been in front for 94 minutes in half a season! Must be great for these other managers with a cigar in, 2-0 up…"


Sticking with players to put errors right?

"I think your budget decides that as well. We’re the lowest budget, but I didn’t think it was right to be chucking everyone out and bringing people in. I wanted to give these lads an opportunity."

Spurs shot to nothing?

"Yeah, if you’d said four points from Christmas, we’d had snapped your hand off. But it makes tomorrow more enjoyable. The pressure is so much at the bottom. My problem is team selection, I’ve got one more call to make which I’ll do now. I always stop up at midnight so I’m glad it’s 5.30 kick off so I get another couple of hours in bed."


Conference over and on to the game....

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Cheers Chris/Sven

The main press conference talking points

NEIL WARNOCK:

Neil Warnock hinted that Cardiff City were tracking Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara


And is still on the hunt for Nathaniel Clyne on loan from Liverpool, if a deal can be done


The Cardiff boss believes his side’s improved form could help persuade players to join the club when the window opens


He spoke at length about New Year’s Day opponents Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino


The Bluebirds have no fresh injury problems ahead of the clash with third-place Spurs


Warnock also said 2018 has been ‘the most amazing’, reflecting on a superb year for Cardiff City

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Did he just basically confirm Sala signing?

Did he just basically confirm Sala signing?

No, but the certainly didn't dismiss it either!

Did he just basically confirm Sala signing?

No, but the certainly didn't dismiss it either!

Odd for him to get a bit twitchy when he said about not coming here. Easy get out for him in the deal is dead or unlikely. Positive news alert!