NEIL WARNOCK: BLUEBIRDS ‘BIG’ SUMMER ERROR

Neil Warnock says Cardiff City made huge ‘mistake’ this summer, it could ruin promotion plans
Lewis Railton

Cardiff City have been told that one mistake could have drastic effects on their season; Neil Warnock is not happy.

Whilst all eyes are on Cardiff looking to notch an immediate return to the Championship, former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock doesn’t have too much confidence in the South-Welsh club achieving their clear target in the upcoming League One season.

So far in the summer transfer window, Cardiff City have been rather quiet. There hasn’t been a single arrival at the club yet, whilst departures have occurred in large numbers.

Notable names that have left Cardiff include Aaron Ramsey, Anwar El Ghazi, and Callum O’Dowda.

However, Warnock has noted that the biggest absence of a star who Cardiff will struggle without this season is Joe Ralls.

“I don’t think it will be straightforward to get out,” said Warnock when speaking to The Athletic. “It’s why I believe Cardiff have made a mistake in allowing Joe Ralls to go. Joe has still got a lot to offer at 31.


“Whether it was out of the manager’s hands or not, I don’t know, but I’d certainly have looked to keep him. The manager would have had a big ally on the field.”

Despite the pessimistic views ahead of the upcoming season for Cardiff, Warnock reiterated that they deserve to be further up the English pyramid as he compares them to a previous Premier League winner.

“Cardiff is a big club,” adds the 76-year-old. “As a city, it could easily sustain Premier League football. You look at clubs like Leicester and Southampton, who’ve had lengthy spells up there. To me, Cardiff are on that level as a club, or should be.”

The last decade or so has seen several big clubs make a surprising drop down to League One, some of which struggle to emerge from it until years later.

A notable example of this has to be Sunderland, who spent a total of four seasons in the English third tier before they returned to the Championship.

League One is set to be highly competitive next season, especially with the expectations that will be placed on the shoulders of Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle.

It will be a challenge for Cardiff to notch promotion back to the Championship, which is why it is crucial that they adequately replace their departed players, including Ralls, who Warnock correctly suggests will be sorely missed by the Bluebirds.

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Personally, I agree with Neil Warnock on Joe Ralls

Time will tell with his other views, but I’m more hopeful we have a coaching set up that will be able to put together a team that will (at worst) compete in this League

Personally don't want to hear what he has to say. I have my issues with him which have been said before and don't need to be said again. Not the angel some fans make him out to be.

On his point, I disagree. It was the right time for Ralls to go.

Yes he's a leader and put in brilliant service to the club. But the fact is he can't play many games anymore and I think he'd struggle in the system we're going to play.

I'm thankful to Ralls but it was the right decision for all parties.

we deffo need a LEADER on the pitch.

Surely getting one or two wont be a major problem ?

The fact it’s been quiet on the transfer front I think can also be viewed as a positive. It means the manager hasn’t had players pushed on him that he might not want to sign, he’s having a looking over our current squad to determine our strengths and weaknesses as he sees them so he knows what he needs as a priority and isn’t jumping in feet first signing the first one that comes alone he wants the right player for the right position. So fair play to him on that.
On the talks things I’m unsure. I think we may miss both ralls and Ramsey for what extra they bring experience wise. But they both good for whatever reason so it’s all academic.
He’s our boss now so until he proves otherwise in him we must trust.

I’m totally with Warnock here.

I agree with Warnock too.

Joe was a big presence in the squad, he gave 100% every time he pulled on the shirt and led by example. He was totally committed to Cardiff city and would love to come back.

I know for a fact that he was devastated when BBM told him he wasn't needed.

Players don't grow old in Warnock's eyes. Probably still thinks he's 23.

Players don't grow old in Warnock's eyes. Probably still thinks he's 23.

To be fair, most people (including ageing me!) are ‘young’ to Neil Warnock!

Good point from Warnock always need to listen to feedback, I Personally think we will be ok, a lot of younger energy in there, and options quiet a few if we don’t sell players from that area.

And it really worked having Ralls as Captain keeping us up. Why should him being here make such a big difference this season? Ralls was brilliant for this club but his legs are sadly gone. Absolutely no point having a great leader if hes not consistently on the pitch. As for it won't be easy getting out of this league, thats stating the bleeding obvious! Warnock just needs to keep to his retirement now.

I don’t think Ralls would have played a big part in the coming season, and that it was probably best for him to move on if he wants game time.

We do need a leader though and hopefully we bring one in.

Great servant buy it was time for him to go .

Personally, I agree with Neil Warnock on Joe Ralls

Time will tell with his other views, but I’m more hopeful we have a coaching set up that will be able to put together a team that will (at worst) compete in this League

I agree with NW too mate and he knows football inside and out. Ralls would have given us experience and also knitted the dressing room together, fantastic asset to have for the youngsters coming through too.

And it really worked having Ralls as Captain keeping us up. Why should him being here make such a big difference this season? Ralls was brilliant for this club but his legs are sadly gone. Absolutely no point having a great leader if hes not consistently on the pitch. As for it won't be easy getting out of this league, thats stating the bleeding obvious! Warnock just needs to keep to his retirement now.

Agree with this.

Warnock had the 24/25 year old version of Joe, not quite the same thing.

By the way, who let Whitts go because he couldn't run like he wanted his teams to run?

Warnock had the 24/25 year old version of Joe, not quite the same thing.

By the way, who let Whitts go because he couldn't run like he wanted his teams to run?

Whatever ones feelings on Warnock and Whittingham - and I am a fan of both- he was 33 when he left Cardiff and he was offered a one year extension by Warnock but told he would be unlikely to play as much. He signed for Blackburn instead in 2017 but only made 20 appearances that season and his contract was ended. Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League that season whereas Whitts never played again. Warnock made the correct call.

A big mistake in my opinion as well. I don't know if Ralls was expecting too much or if City offered him an insulting deal, but at 31 he isn't passed it as many seem to think and his experience and comittment to the club would have been an invaluable asset to the club from both a playing point of view and continuity. This League will be tough and to get rid of an experienced Championship player who was captain and who knows the club is mad.

A big mistake in my opinion as well. I don't know if Ralls was expecting too much or if City offered him an insulting deal, but at 31 he isn't passed it as many seem to think and his experience and comittment to the club would have been an invaluable asset to the club from both a playing point of view and continuity. This League will be tough and to get rid of an experienced Championship player who was captain and who knows the club is mad.

Since the turn of the year, he's played more than 45 minutes in just six of 26 games. That's not enough.

He also wouldn't have fitted into the way we're going to play now so it would just be a waste of wages to keep him. I understand it was the manager's decision for him to go, and Ralls' statement also suggested that.

It's true that he put in great service and he was a good leader, but it was the right time for him to go. We can't be keeping players for sentimental reasons, especially someone who was well paid like Ralls.

Time for all parties to move on. Right decision for all parties.

Personally don't want to hear what he has to say. I have my issues with him which have been said before and don't need to be said again. Not the angel some fans make him out to be.

On his point, I disagree. It was the right time for Ralls to go.

Yes he's a leader and put in brilliant service to the club. But the fact is he can't play many games anymore and I think he'd struggle in the system we're going to play.

I'm thankful to Ralls but it was the right decision for all parties.

I'd take more note of Warnock than any messageboard posters. He's been there, worn the T-shirt, and won more promotions than most. We'll probably miss him and O'Dowda, and I agree we need to bring in some experienced players to help the youngsters through when the going gets tough.

A big mistake in my opinion as well. I don't know if Ralls was expecting too much or if City offered him an insulting deal, but at 31 he isn't passed it as many seem to think and his experience and comittment to the club would have been an invaluable asset to the club from both a playing point of view and continuity. This League will be tough and to get rid of an experienced Championship player who was captain and who knows the club is mad.

Since the turn of the year, he's played more than 45 minutes in just six of 26 games. That's not enough.

He also wouldn't have fitted into the way we're going to play now so it would just be a waste of wages to keep him. I understand it was the manager's decision for him to go, and Ralls' statement also suggested that.

It's true that he put in great service and he was a good leader, but it was the right time for him to go. We can't be keeping players for sentimental reasons, especially someone who was well paid like Ralls.

Time for all parties to move on. Right decision for all parties.

Its not sentiment that says we should have kept him, but for what he could have given the club this season. He may have had his injuries last year but the season before he played 35 games and he is 31 not 41. We need to keep players like Ralls. Time will tell.

Whether your in the ralls in camp or out camp what it does show is we have a manager who is ruthless, he knows the players he wants to play the way he wants and doesn't let sentiment get in the way

This is the kind of manager I've wanted us to have for ages, fed up of players trying to make the calls like they did with riza so they could have an easy life

The manager should be your boss not your mate

A big mistake in my opinion as well. I don't know if Ralls was expecting too much or if City offered him an insulting deal, but at 31 he isn't passed it as many seem to think and his experience and comittment to the club would have been an invaluable asset to the club from both a playing point of view and continuity. This League will be tough and to get rid of an experienced Championship player who was captain and who knows the club is mad.

Since the turn of the year, he's played more than 45 minutes in just six of 26 games. That's not enough.

He also wouldn't have fitted into the way we're going to play now so it would just be a waste of wages to keep him. I understand it was the manager's decision for him to go, and Ralls' statement also suggested that.

It's true that he put in great service and he was a good leader, but it was the right time for him to go. We can't be keeping players for sentimental reasons, especially someone who was well paid like Ralls.

Time for all parties to move on. Right decision for all parties.

Its not sentiment that says we should have kept him, but for what he could have given the club this season. He may have had his injuries last year but the season before he played 35 games and he is 31 not 41. We need to keep players like Ralls. Time will tell.

But it's obvious that players who can't play in the way that we will are not wanted, unfortunately Ralls fits into that category. For the same reason, the club's initial transfer targets were vetoed by the manager and he has his own.

I wish Ralls well because I put him in the category of a club legend, due to all the games he's played and how well he's worked with the community too. But I do think it was right for him to go.

Warnock had the 24/25 year old version of Joe, not quite the same thing.

By the way, who let Whitts go because he couldn't run like he wanted his teams to run?

Whatever ones feelings on Warnock and Whittingham - and I am a fan of both- he was 33 when he left Cardiff and he was offered a one year extension by Warnock but told he would be unlikely to play as much. He signed for Blackburn instead in 2017 but only made 20 appearances that season and his contract was ended. Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League that season whereas Whitts never played again. Warnock made the correct call.

I am not criticizing Warnock for Whitts, it was the correct decision as is the Ralls one.

Ralls going may come back to bite us if Robertson leaves ramsey also gone we need quality in midfield.