Manager Warnock’s Pride And Passion In His Bluebirds

Neil Warnock looked around the away dressing room at Griffin Park and felt a surge of pride.

The Bluebirds fought back with passion and powered to a seventh successive Championship victory, winning 3-1 against Brentford.

The Bees, a talented team who can pass and move with the best at this level, simply could not match the intensity and commitment shown by Cardiff City.

Aston Villa’s 3-1 home defeat against Queens Park Rangers was another plus for Cardiff, who are unbeaten in their last 11 matches.

“It’s a lovely feeling,” said manager Warnock. “I look around the dressing room and think: ‘Wow, I’m glad these are my lads.’

“I’m really proud to be manager of these lads and proud when I see the supporters enjoying themselves.

“It’s good to make people smile.”

Sol Bamba, a leader of the highest order alongside captain Sean Morrison at the back, struck a goal of rare quality to make it 1-1.

From that moment City took the game to Brentford.

Marko Grujic

When Marko Grujic was robbed of possession near halfway after five minutes the Bees were in full flight, but the Belgrade-born Serbian midfield player was immense from that moment.

His cool, calm presence through midfield has lifted Cardiff to new levels of performance since he was signed from Liverpool on loan.

It’s clear why Liverpool rate Grujic so highly. In 10 matches for the Bluebirds he has has helped Warnock’s team earn eight wins and two draws.

That run – nine Championship fixtures and an FA Cup tie – has fired up Cardiff hopes of promotion.

They are seven points clear of third-placed Aston Villa and Warnock said: “It’s a great feeling. I’m so proud of my lads.

“Many teams would have gone under with the start we had and the way Brentford were playing, but boy we hung in there and showed the character we’ve got.

“We’ve not played against anything like that all season. They scored their goal and could have had a couple more. A great save from Neil Etheridge kept us in it.

“We took control after that and created a number of chances in the first half. It took a wonder goal from Sol Bamba to equalise.

“To score just on half time was cracking as well. Junior Hoilett provided a great ball across for Callum Paterson who did what he’s good at and it was a good goal too.

Neil Warnock. Pic: Getty Images

“We controlled the game in the second half and could have had a couple more goals, but we can’t be too greedy.”

Warnock talks about the contributions from Grujic and French midfield plater Loic Damour, saying: “

“Marko and Loic have realised what the Championship is all about. They had to work their socks off.

“Callum Paterson, too, did a great job, while Kenneth Zohore was really sharp and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looked back to himself again with Junior.

“At the back I can’t fault anybody. Joe Bennett and Bruno Manga did superbly, while the two centre-backs (Morrison and Bamba), you can’t say much more about them.

“Then the football came through. We were passing it around and playing well. A really good team performance because Brentford aren’t a bad side.”

Aston Villa’s home defeat against Queens Park Rangers gave 1,000 Cardiff supporters at Brentford another reason to celebrate and Warnock said: “What a great travelling crowd.

“They really got behind us and the noise was fabulous. I was glad we were kicking that way second-half!”

Neal Maupay fired Brentford ahead after five minutes after Grujic lost possession near halfway. Maupay was set free by a slide rule pass and his finish was clinical.

Bamba and Paterson gave Cardiff a half-time lead before Zohore made it 3-1 on the hour.

The equaliser came when Bamba went up for a set piece and scored a goal of sublime quality. His touch was immaculate and his shot on the turn full of power.

“I don’t think I’ve scored many better,” said Bamba. “It’s a good goal, but the most important thing was to get back into the game at that point.

Goalscorer Callum Paterson

“We dug in. That’s what it is all about at this stage of the season. It’s all about three points.”

Paterson put Cardiff ahead from Hoilett’s pass during first half injury time, taking his goals tally to eight for Cardiff, and said: “Eight goals is a massive return for me and I am relishing the role I’m playing.

“I enjoy getting into the box and was glad to get on the end of the cross.”

Cardiff’s third goal was scored after 58 minutes. Bruno Manga’s long ball was nodded on by Paterson and then Hoilett before Zohore,  drifting in behind the Brentford defence, fired home.

Warnock’s warriors have nine fixtures to play and they face another massive test this Sunday when they play Derby County away.

Brentford: Bentley, Clarke, Egan, Mepham, Barbet, Woods, Yennaris (Marcondes 69), Sawyers, Watkins, Maupay (Judge 76), Canos (Macleod 69). Subs Not Used: Daniels, McEachran, Mokotjo, Ogbene.

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Ecuele Manga, Bamba, Morrison, Bennett, Grujic, Damour, Paterson, Mendez-Laing (Traore 88), Hoilett (Wildschut 82), Zohore (Madine 77). Subs Not Used: Murphy, Pilkington, Halford, Connolly.

Referee: James Linington.

Attendance: 8,594.

Championship Table

		Team	P	GD	Pts
1		Wolves	37	34	79
2		Cardiff	37	27	76
3		Aston Villa	37	25	69
4		Fulham	37	25	68
5		Derby	37	21	62
6		Middlesbrough	37	18	61
7		Sheff Utd	37	8	59
8		Bristol City	37	11	58
9		Preston	37	9	57
10		Millwall	37	7	55
11		Brentford	37	8	53
12		Ipswich	37	0	52
13		Leeds	37	-2	50
14		Norwich	37	-4	49
15		QPR	37	-10	46
16		Nottm Forest	37	-11	45
17		Hull	37	-3	39
18		Sheff Wed	37	-12	38
19		Reading	37	-12	36
20		Bolton	37	-24	36
21		Barnsley	37	-17	33
22		Birmingham	37	-32	30
23		Burton	37	-38	30
24		Sunderland	37	-28	28