Warnock’s Bluebirds Looking Upwards In Championship

Neil Warnock and his Bluebirds are looking upwards and refuse to worry about the chasing pack.

Cardiff City are second, behind Wolves, in the Championship table and go in search of a fifth successive victory when they travel to Reading on Monday (8pm).

Captain Sean Morrison and his team have a six points cushion ahead of Bristol City and Sheffield United behind them, but Warnock isn’t looking over his shoulder.

Leaders Wolves are the team in his sights and they edged to a 1-0 win at 10-man Birmingham City in their last fixture.

“We still look at catching Wolves,” he says. “They have had some good runs, but if Birmingham played like they did against us they might have earned a positive result.

“Wolves have more money than anybody, but you have to invest it wisely.

“They’ve done that and they’re the team to finish above to win promotion. We don’t have an inferiority complex. I just wish there were a few more teams like us who beat them.

“The Championship is an open league. Anyone can go three or four games without winning. It doesn’t worry us, you don’t want it, but you have to keep working hard.

“It’s important not to get too up or too down when things happen. Everyone loses points. It can be luck of draw at times. WE went to play a Birmingham team who had just appointed a new manager!

“Every game is winnable and every one can be lost. That’s the beauty of the championship.”

Cardiff have a useful 11 points gap ahead of seventh-placed Ipswich Town, the team just outside the play-off positions, as they prepare for a match at Reading which is being shown live on Sky television.

“We’re just happy to be going along as we are, treat it like a bonus and enjoy it,” said Warnock. “If we have a bit of luck with injuries we can improve with a lot more to come from two or three players.

“Kenneth Zohore hasn’t got going , but he looks bright again because we know we’ve got to the bottom of his problem.

“Kadeem Harris trained – touch wood – for the first time, came through a training game and looked sharp.

“We have coped with injuries to players like Jazz (Richards). We have to hang in there.

“All the talk is bound to be about teams like Wolves, Villa, Derby, Boro. They are the really big hitters,

“I can’t fault the lads. We’ve done well. The results have been what we’ve deserved.”

Warnock and Reading manager Jaap Stam have been nominated for November’s Championship manager of the month award.

Reading lost one game in six fixtures as the Royals started to climb the table after a difficult start to the season.

Warnock’s Bluebirds have won four successive matches, while Aston Villa’s Steve Bruce is the fourth nomination after overseeing four wins in five games.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo won four out of four during November, scoring at least two goals in every game and managing four and five against Leeds and Bolton, respectively.

The judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman; EFL marketing director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.

Cardiff City’s next home match is against Hull City on Saturday, December 16 (5.30pm).

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