Junior Hoilett believes if Neil Warnock can turn the Cardiff City striker’s career around by 180 degrees, he can certainly steer the club away from the relegation zone.
The Canadian forward is backing the manager who rescued him two years ago to produce a similar about turn on the club’s fortunes, despite their drop into the Premier League bottom three following last week’s heavy defeat at home to Manchester City.
That 5-0 thrashing has left Cardiff bottom but one of the table and with the worst recent record in the division of three straight defeats.
But Hoilett believes this Sunday’s clash at home to fellow strugglers Burnley can mark a turning point – just as he approaches the second anniversary of his own revival at the club.
It was back in October 2016 when the 69-year-old manager breezed into the Bluebirds and summoned both Hoilett and defender Sol Bamba from the rejects pile.
Both players had served under Warnock before, but neither began that season with an employer.
It’s a salvage method that has served Warnock well everywhere he has been, although even the man himself reckons it will be his biggest miracle yet if he keeps his club from immediate relegation.
“Neil Warnock helped me massively by putting the confidence back into me that went missing for a couple of seasons,” says Hoilett.
“He is a manager who makes it clear what he wants. He is great at making sure players maximize their ability and he then gives you the confidence to express yourself.
“It’s great to have him with us in the Premier League and his influence was a huge part in us winning promotion. He made everyone believe in themselves.
“Although it’s been a difficult start, but we’ve been competitive in all but one of the games so far and I’m confident the manager can help us stay in the Premier League.”
Hoilett scored 12 goals last season and played a key role in lifting Cardiff out of the Championship along with Wolves and Fulham.
But unlike those rivals, they spent only £41m this summer compared to the £100m spent by Fulham and almost as much by Wolves.
“We have most of the squad we had last season, with only a handful of new faces, but that’s not an issue.
“Our team spirit was the most important thing last year, the way we all stuck together, and that will be the main thing that gets us points now as well.”