IAN HOLLOWAY DEFENDS NEIL WARNOCK

Ian Holloway Defends Neil Warnock . . . And Claims Sala Money Row Is “Horrendous”
By Graham Thomas


Ian Holloway has come to the defence of Neil Warnock and claimed Cardiff City’s problems stem from their ongoing dispute over payments for Emiliano Sala.

Former QPR, Crystal Palace and Blackpool manager Holloway believes Warnock’s efforts to build a promotion challenge in the Championship have been undermined by the fall-out from the Sala affair.

With Cardiff still at odds over having to pay the first £16m of the Sala transfer fee to Nantes – and expected to be told by FIFA they must also pay the remainder of the £15m fee – the issue has still not been resolved.

Holloway – a pundit on the streaming service Quest – said: “It hasn’t been the start to the season Cardiff City would have wanted after coming back down from the Premier League.

“I think the sadness that surrounds that club is almost impossible to deal with, the emotion that they went through losing Emiliano Sala like they did.

“Obviously, that’s still ongoing, and what a horrendous situation, arguing over money when a life has been lost.

“I think that would take its toll on any club, but even without that, it’s so, so tough when you go up and come back down to try and regain that momentum.”


Warnock has come under pressure from some Cardiff fans and pundits such as former Cardiff and Wales defender following a lacklustre derby display against Swansea City last week.

That 1-0 defeat meant the Bluebirds have won only four of their opening 14 League matches, but Holloway is convinced Warnock can still turn things around in the manager’s final season at the club before he stands down.

“They’re in a Championship that’s getting stronger and stronger all the time, and they lost a close local derby against Swansea at the weekend,” added Holloway.

“But I believe in Neil Warnock. He’s one of the most successful managers I’ve ever seen in the Championship throughout his whole career, and if anyone can get them back up towards the top of the table it’s him.

“Getting them up the first time was almost a miracle, but can miracles happen twice?”

But whilst accepting his team were poor against the Swans last Sunday, Warnock has rejected some of the criticism aimed at him and his players.

Cardiff face in-form Birmingham City at home tomorrow and Warnock said: “I don’t accept criticism about fitness and intensity, but I’ve never seen our passing as poor.

“We’ve got to look to the next game. I’m disappointed we haven’t got eight more points this season, which would have put it in a better perspective.”

Always liked Ian 'Marmite' Holloway myself (except at Wembley on 22nd May 2010) and he makes some sense above. It is certainly time to keep a cool head and get behind Neil Warnock and his players in the hope tat improvement will come and Cardiff City FC start climbing the table

We're not adrift quite yet and we (more than most supporters) know our value when behind the team!

Always liked Ian 'Marmite' Holloway myself (except at Wembley on 22nd May 2010) and he makes some sense above. It is certainly time to keep a cool head and get behind Neil Warnock and his players in the hope tat improvement will come and Cardiff City FC start climbing the table

We're not adrift quite yet and we (more than most supporters) know our value when behind the team!

I'm glad you said, and I quote "Some sense." Because when Holloway said that we lost a 'close' derby he lost me a little bit. Maybe could of got away with saying that if the match wasn't live on TV that day, but of course the TalkSport contributors got eachother's backs.

I totally agree with him regarding ES,,,, I dont think our club can really ever push on until that matter is finally sorted, one way or another.

Can't stand Holloway personally.

I don't agree Sala death has anything to do with the form. Clubs tend to struggle after relegation, people get used to losing and some players just struggle to readapt.

Although the main reasons are poor signings and a very strangely balanced squad.

Can't stand Holloway personally.

I don't agree Sala death has anything to do with the form. Clubs tend to struggle after relegation, people get used to losing and some players just struggle to readapt.

Although the main reasons are poor signings and a very strangely balanced squad.

I like him but I totally agree with your analyses

Ian Holloway talks total bollocks.

Always has

Always will

Ian Holloway talks total bollocks.

Always has

Always will

Coming from an expert like yourself, that's thread over for me!

Ian Holloway talks total bollocks.

Always has

Always will

Yep, this is among the biggest load of nonsense I have read.

I totally agree with him regarding ES,,,, I dont think our club can really ever push on until that matter is finally sorted, one way or another.

I stand by my thoughts on this view, as todays publicised revelations highlight,,,, until this whole sordid affair is finalized & concluded, how can our club possibly function properly?

I totally agree with him regarding ES,,,, I dont think our club can really ever push on until that matter is finally sorted, one way or another.

I stand by my thoughts on this view, as todays publicised revelations highlight,,,, until this whole sordid affair is finalized & concluded, how can our club possibly function properly?

Just like it is now I guess

I don't this is the reason we aren't keeping clean sheets or taking our chances lets be honest

I totally agree with him regarding ES,,,, I dont think our club can really ever push on until that matter is finally sorted, one way or another.

I stand by my thoughts on this view, as todays publicised revelations highlight,,,, until this whole sordid affair is finalized & concluded, how can our club possibly function properly?

Just like it is now I guess

I don't this is the reason we aren't keeping clean sheets or taking our chances lets be honest

Well I for one think that it had a bearing, and influenced our last Summer transfer dealings. Let’s face it, how much in real terms did we actually spend?
It was a self funding transfer window, made up of mainly lower league players. A sign of further things to come? Who knows, but if you’re likely to take a financial “hit”, then your going to be prudent in the mean time,,, that’s only good economic management. Besides that, there’s the psychological side of things. The matter has got to run its course, but there’s going to be “issues” regarding this situation for a long time to come, whoever’s in charge,,, IMHO.

I totally agree with him regarding ES,,,, I dont think our club can really ever push on until that matter is finally sorted, one way or another.

I stand by my thoughts on this view, as todays publicised revelations highlight,,,, until this whole sordid affair is finalized & concluded, how can our club possibly function properly?

Just like it is now I guess

I don't this is the reason we aren't keeping clean sheets or taking our chances lets be honest

Well I for one think that it had a bearing, and influenced our last Summer transfer dealings. Let’s face it, how much in real terms did we actually spend?
It was a self funding transfer window, made up of mainly lower league players. A sign of further things to come? Who knows, but if you’re likely to take a financial “hit”, then your going to be prudent in the mean time,,, that’s only good economic management. Besides that, there’s the psychological side of things. The matter has got to run its course, but there’s going to be “issues” regarding this situation for a long time to come, whoever’s in charge,,, IMHO.

I don't see it sorry.