Reading 2, Cardiff City 1
Neil Warnock has reiterated he plans to be at a promotion-chasing club next season, whether or not it’s Cardiff City.
The Bluebirds manager was left a frustrated man after his side lost by a single goal to a top four team for the second time in the space of five days.
Warnock saw Joe Ralls’ penalty cancel out John Swift’s opening goal for Reading in a burst of activity just before half-time, but was left agitated by his team’s failings as they were unable to respond after Jann Kermorgant’s free-kick regained the Royals’ lead on the hour.
A fortnight ago, Warnock was buzzing with enthusiasm after Cardiff had beaten Bristol City away from home, where they had also found themselves 2-1 down.
He talked bullishly about a meeting that night with owner Vincent Tan and the recruitment plans he intended to outline.
But some of the spark has gone from Warnock since that encounter. He appears to be resigned to the fact that he will not be given money in the remaining days of this transfer window and suggested that either Cardiff show some intent this summer to make the Premier League, or he will be off elsewhere.
He said: ““We are where we are because we can’t win games and we can’t score goals when we’re on top. We just don’t have enough quality in certain areas.
“I’d like to get promotion next season, whichever club I’m with. I don’t want to pick money up, without a chance of promotion. I have told the club in detail what we need and I’m sure they will come back and let me know if it’s possible.
“Transfer-wise, we are not going to spend in this window on players who aren’t better than the ones we have got now.
“This league is wide open to get promotion, and there is a great opportunity to get promotion next season. I’ve got a lot of time for people above me and I think we’re showing them we know what we’re doing. I don’t think we’re far away from being a very good side.”
There were some positives for Warnock, whose team created plenty of chances in the last half hour. But they lacked composure with Junior Hoilett, Kadeem Harris and Rhys Healey all failing to hit the target.
Healey, at least, gave indication of his potential on his first start for the club, while Ralls was influential in a Bluebirds midfield that often got on top.
But it was of little consolation to Warnock, who had already dismissed any hopes that his team’s recent surge might hold out the prospect of making the play-offs.
“It’s just so frustrating. I hope I’m not going to be coming in again and saying how well we played in defeat. I’d rather play rubbish and win.
“We know what we need to make that difference – it’s just going to be frustrating biting my tongue answering the same questions about the side for the next 18 games.
“We don’t need much, we need three or four quality players now. We have genuine players, they’re all honest, no-one passed the buck today, they all worked hard and gave their all, but there’s just not enough quality in certain areas.
“So until the summer the club’s got to keep powder dry and look at what’s available then because the league is wide open to get promotion.
“I wish I’d been here in the summer. It’s not for me to criticise but they have spent a lot of money – and now I’m asking them to spend a bit more. It’s easy for me to say because it’s not my money.
“But first things first, we have to stop ourselves from being relegated.
“I can’t remember other than first goal a shot that caused us any problems. We had more of the chances, especially in the second-half when we stepped up a gear. We are where we are because we can’t win games, because we can’t score goals when we’re on top. The sooner we get to 50 points the better.”
