Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock realistic on promotion hopes

Monday 26 February 2018 17:10, UK

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock is refusing to alter his club's aspirations for the season, claiming a play-off place is still the target despite the 1-0 win at home to Bristol City.

The Bluebirds moved four points clear of third-placed Aston Villa, and strengthened their automatic promotion hopes, thanks to Kenneth Zohore's late strike which also put them just six points behind leaders Wolves.

But despite a fourth straight win, Warnock is staying realistic about his side's promotion push having opened up a 15-point gap on Middlesbrough in seventh.

When asked if finishing in the play-off spots remains the objective, he said: "That's what we're aiming for. Anything else is a bonus.

"We're 15 points away from seventh now, that's where we're looking. We're almost in the play-offs now. We made changes as well, people like (Greg) Halford and (Liam) Feeney [playing against Bristol City].

"I looked at our team-sheet before the game with no (Sean) Morrison, (Aron) Gunnarsson or Zohore. I would have been crying 12 months ago if that had been the case. It shows how far we've come as a squad."

Cardiff have now kept four clean sheets in a row, and Warnock admitted after this latest triumph that his side have reached their pre-season target of 16 shut-outs.

The 69-year-old was not surprised by Fulham's impressive 2-0 win over Wolves at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening, and he believes the west Londoners will be in the hunt for promotion come May.

"They've always been the best footballing team, Fulham. It wasn't a shock, but Wolves have still got a great squad and then you look at Aston Villa and Derby as well," he added.

"They're good teams, to be punching in that sort of category. I said after the game, 'You do me proud, lads'. We haven't got the Rolls Royces of the division, but we've got some endeavour and a lot of skill in some areas as well."