Neil Warnock thinks he has something special brewing at Cardiff – even if they are not everybody’s cup of tea.
The Bluebirds ground out a 2-0 win over Hull as Sean Morrison scored a trademark header and poacher’s goal to make it seven for the season and three in three for the inspirational leader.
Victory takes City above Fulham and means a win over visitors Reading next Sunday will be enough to earn their veteran manager a record eighth promotion to the top flight.
Warnock, 69, said: “They’re a good group. It’s not pretty, but at this stage of the season, you can’t expect anything else.
“I know we’re limited and not everybody’s cup of tea but they don’t know when they’re beaten. People expect us to fall away but we’re sticking to it like a rash.Â
“I had to bring Marko off at half-time because half their staff were telling the ref it should have been a red. The amount of decisions I’ve seen lately, they’re not going for us.
“This is a big a game as I’ve had in my career – decisions are going for Fulham left, right and centre and lot of teams might have been disillusioned.
“We’ve both got hard games, Birmingham and reading both lost today and need a point but it’s nice to have it in our own hands.
“We should have scored a couple more. When you watch Morrison’s goal, it’s incredible.
“He’s in his own six-yard box and I’m thinking ‘what’s he doing’. I don’t know why he charged forward but he must have thought it was on.
“It’s a cracking ball from Mendez-Laing as well, it’s great to have him back on form.
“I want to say thanks to the fans. The last time I heard the national anthem like that was when I watched Wales play Australia in the rugby.”
Aron Gunnarsson was replaced by Marko Grujic after injuring his knee and ankle in what could be a devastating blow for the Iceland skipper with just six weeks until the World Cup.
Hull enjoyed some decent moments early on with Welshman Harry Wilson pulling the strings and Sol Bamba had to put his body on the line to prevent Fraizer Campbell from scoring against his former club
Morrison scored a typical bullet header in the 32nd minute as Joe Ralls put in a perfect corner and the skipper bullied his way over two Tigers defenders.
Junior Hoilett and Callum Paterson missed chances either side of the break as Cardiff failed to turn dominance into chances, with the away fans taking time out from biting their fingernails to belt out Men of Harlech.
And the nerves were settled 10 minutes from time as Lee Peltier charged down a cross to send Nathaniel Mendez-Laing racing through.
The winger found Morrison and the centre-back kept his cool to produce a finish worthy of any striker as he turned inside and curled home with his left foot before celebrating in front of the packed away stand.