Neil Warnock admits he is facing the biggest test of his managerial career.
The Bluebirds manager has achieved a record-breaking eight promotions and is leading his team into the Premier League for 2017-18.
Cardiff City’s budget for the top flight is just over half of Huddersfield Town’s, who are the next lowest, and Warnock says: “This will be the biggest test of my managerial career by an absolute mile.”
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City have spent £24m in transfer fees, adding Greg Cunningham, Bobby Reid, Josh Murphy and goalkeeper Alex Smithies. He is still looking to add two more with Liverpool’s Marko Grujic high on his priority list.
“We are going to have lowest budget there has ever been in the Premier League,” said Warnock, speaking on the pitch at Tavistock AFC after Cardiff’s 6-0 pre-season victory.
“But we are going to enjoy being there. I can’t wait for that first game at Bournemouth.
“If we can survive with the budget we have I will be walking on water!”
Cunningham, Reid and Murphy all played against Tavistock at their Langsford Park ground in Devon, whole Smithies looks certain to be given his debut against Bodmin Town on Wednesday (7pm).
Sol Bamba also looks certain to play at Bodmin, while Aaron Gunnarsson is likely to spend the next few days training before returning to match action at Torquay United on Friday.
Kenneth Zohore missed the game at Tavistock after being given a couple of days off after his wife gave birth to a baby. He could rejoin the club tomorrow before the match at Bodmin.
Warnock expressed his delight after Cardiff City’s crushing six-goal pre-season win against Tavistock AFC, saying: “The attitude of our players was excellent, there was a good crowd with a lot of fans from Cardiff.
“I’m pleased there were no injuries. Everybody worked hard and I’m delighted with the effort they put in.”
Warnock confirmed he still wants to add a couple of players to his squad, probably on loan deals, and said he is still chasing Grujic, who is with manager Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad on their your to America.
But Warnock warned: “We won’t wait for ever. I’ll assess again at the end of this week.
“Liverpool want Marko to come here and the player wants to come, but his agent doesn’t seem keen. Hopefully Marko will decide.
“We’d like him to join us again, but I am not as confident about that as I once was.
“Certainly we need another couple in before the transfer deadline to supplement in case we pick up injuries.”