Neil Warnock likes to see his glass half full, which is why he won’t despair over a Cardiff City display against Derby that saw them running on empty.
The Cardiff manager is approaching a notable anniversary. It will be a year in the job on Wednesday, so he was inclined to see Saturday’s 0-0 draw as part of the longer pattern of rapid progess, rather than a short term blip following two victories in four days.
Derby’s determination and organisation meant the Bluebirds failed to score at home at home for the first time this season and, on balance, it was the Rams who got closer to three points.
The pace-setters looked jaded and ready for their two-week breather and Warnock confessed: “We are looking forward to the break, because we’ve had three games in a week and some of my lads are not used to that.
“It’s been a long year, but an enjoyable one. When I came here we were talking about avoiding relegation, now we’re top of the Championship so it’s been remarkable.
“I don’t think there is one outstanding team like last year with Newcastle, but it doesn’t matter about that. It’s about results.
“The trick is not to get too euphoric when you win and not get too down when you lose. If you can’t win, take a point and move on.
“At the end of a day, I’m really pleased with a clean sheet. It’s clean sheets that keep you top of the league.”
Warnock’s brave face is justifiable, but clubs with bigger budgets and pressing concerns to return to the big time are gathering like a pack of hounds, yelping at Cardiff’s heels.
Wolves are at the door – just a point behind – but Leeds and Aston Villa are on the march and Warnock knows dropped points at home leave the chasers with the whiff of limping prey in their nostrils.
He added: “I’m slightly disappointed with the first-half, because we were not on the front foot. One or two lads were just below par – Loic Damour and Junior Hoilett.
“But if you look at their team-sheet, they are probably the best side in the league, so they were not going to come here and lie down.”
Derby certainly didn’t do that and they created the better chances during a second-half when they asserted themselves through Tom Lawrence, Andre Wisdom and substitute David Nugent and created the clear-cut openings.
For a side top of the table, Cardiff’s first-half display lacked energy, conviction and creativity.
Only a speculative shot by Hoilett tested Scott Carson in the Derby goal, although the visitors were just as unproductive, until they roused themselves after the break.
Lawrence set up Tom Huddlestone for a shot that was deflected just wide before Craig Forsyth crashed a 30-yard shot against the bar.
The clearest chance fell to Nugent as the clock ticked into injury time, but his close range shot was brilliantly pushed away by Neil Etheridge.
Derby manager Gary Rowett insisted: “I thought we were the better side today and we passed the ball well.
“When we needed to do we defended well against their direct play and their wide players. Not many teams have been able to do that.
“They are a tough team. Neil has got them playing very physically and a lot of teams will come here and crumble.
“But I thought some of our interplay in those areas was top quality. If David had hit it lower with power, then it would have been 1-0.
“I am really pleased with the performance, the diligence and the commitment shown.”
