From insidewalessport
www.insidewalessport.co.uk/warnock-qpr-best-year-life/Neil Warnock looking forward to welcoming Queens Park Rangers – “It was one of the best years of my life”August 25, 2017 Jamie Kemble
Neil Warnock is relishing Saturday’s clash with former side Queens Park Rangers as he reflects on one of the best years of his life.
The 68-year-old and his Queens Park Rangers team of 2010/11 steamrolled the Championship to secure promotion and the title.
Warnock took over the London club halfway through the season before to keep them out of trouble, before going and, indeed, achieving gold the following season.
And he’s enjoying a similar timeline with Cardiff City thus far as he prepares to welcome QPR to the South Wales.
The experienced boss pulled Cardiff out of trouble last season and having maintained a 100% record so far this season, the sky is once again the limit in his second season in charge.
Warnock reflected on his time at QPR ahead of Saturday’s meeting and drew his own comparison to his newest project.
“It was a fabulous year and one of the best of my life,” claimed the Bluebirds’ boss.
“They were similar circumstances because they were in a little bit of trouble when we came in and we managed to turn it around.
“It takes some beating and you can’t put something like that to bed – I still get messages from some QPR fans.
“I think it’s the best team spirit since I was at QPR – the team were slightly different but similar personnel, good pros and some good characters.
“Anyone can do well in this league, we all have highs and lows and there’s not a team that can’t beat you on the day.”
Cardiff City have got off to a flyer this season and having not lost a game, the odds are already being slashed on them taking the title.
Warnock isn’t getting carried away though, and his main focus is on welcoming some old faces to his new club and sending them away disappointed.
“It would be great but we all realise how difficult the game will be, there are some lads still there and they will get a good backing as well – it will be nice to see a few old faces.”
The clash will also see two of the most experienced Championship managers go head to head as Ian Holloway continues his spell with QPR.
Warnock has come up against Holloway many times in the past, and both are used to competing with each other, despite usually managing teams with small budgets.
The Cardiff City boss is looking forward to rekindling his rivalry with Holloway, but he has revealed that his conversations with the former Blackpool boss aren’t always straight forward.
“I’ve spoken to him over many years when I can understand him,” joked the 68-year-old.
“I don’t know about Ian but I love the division and the competitiveness. You need every ingredient going because, well, we’ve played seven games in 21 days.
“The intensity and the demands on the players now is incredible and you need a good squad to keep up with that.”