Neil Warnock faces his old rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday night and already appears to have the Owls in a flap.
Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has claimed Warnock’s Cardiff City side have an unfair advantage courtesy of a fixture list that has allowed them two days more rest than the visitors.
And Wednesday midfielder David Jones has echoed Carvalhal’s claim that Warnock’s appointment at the Bluebirds has altered the nature of the fixture.
“He’s a very good manager of massive experience in this league,” said Jones of Warnock, who has only lost three out of 17 previous matches as manager against Wednesday.
“We know whatever team he puts out will be very organised and know what their jobs are to do.
“It will be a very difficult game and we need to be on top of our game to get anything from it. If we are not, we won’t win the game. It is as simple as that.”
Wednesday are old sparring partners for Warnock who managed their Steel City rivals Sheffield United for eight years.
The successor to sacked Paul Trollope kicked off his tenure with a 2-1 win over Bristol City last Friday, whilst Wednesday had to wait a further 48 hours before their 1-0 win at Huddersfield.
That victory has left Wednesday just outside the play-off spots on goal difference, but they may face a Cardiff side freshened with more more of Warnock’s recent new signings.
Having blooded Sol Bamba and Junior Hoilett against Bristol City, Warnock could give debuts to former England international Kieran Richardson and one-time Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
The Bluebirds restricted Bristol City to just one shot on target in Warnock’s first game as manager, which was the fewest they have achieved in a Championship game this season.
But the reward from that victory – a lift out of the relegation places – was short-lived and after other results last weekend, the club are back to being one from bottom of the table.
Wednesday boss Carvalhal has indicated he will look to rotate his squad for the long midweek trip if his medical staff detect any signs of fatigue.
Cardiff have won five of their last six home league games against Sheffield Wednesday, drawing the other.
