Neil Warnock and Ian Holloway, two of the most experienced managers in Championship football, go head-to-head at Loftus Road this afternoon (3pm).
Warnock’s Bluebirds have lost three successive matches and slipped to fourth in the table, while Queens Park Rangers, where Holloway is in charge, have managed only one victory in 10 fixtures.
Neil’s done a fantastic job with the squad he’s put together there, the belief he gives them and the way they set up,” says Holloway.
“The way their front three or four have been working for them has been unbelievable.
“They’re big, they’re strong and Neil deserves the success. He knows what he’s doing and he knows how to set a team and club up.
“Neil knows how to get his staff going and he knows how to motivate people.
“Am I surprised by their success? Absolutely not. But I think we’ll have a good chance of taking them on.
“They have lost three in a row and we want to make that four.
“Every game is massive at this level. And this is another big one for us on New Year’s Day.”
Warnock has been a manager in 1,400 first team matches, while Holloway is aiming to join the 1,000 club. He is 68 short of hitting four figures.
Cardiff have slipped out of the automatic promotion places after suffering successive defeats against Bolton, Fulham and Preston, but they are still fourth and challenging.
Warnock has pledged to come up with ‘something different’ in terms of team and tactics at QPR, although a long injury list means he doesn’t have too many options.
He could give Kenneth Zohore a rest and start with Omar Bogle and Rhys Healey, who both looked lively when they went on against Preston from the subs bench.
Warnock may go with a three-man defensive unit, calling in Matt Connolly to join Sol Bamba and Bruno Manga. Captain Sean Morrison is still out injured.
Midfield Joe Ralls described the defeat against Fulham as ‘our worst performance of the season’ and says: “We want that winning feeling again.”
Liam Feeney is eligible to play what is the final Cardiff City game before his loan from Blackburn Rovers ends, although the winger’s loan may be extended, while Warnock believes Craig Bryson is likely to be fit after picking up a minor strain against Preston.
The Bluebirds were allocated 1,300 tickets in the away section and this match is pay on the day.
“We’ll have a good following at QPR and the lads will be ready when I’m finished with them because we’re better than that (losing v Preston),” says Warnock.
“Back in August I’d have taken being four points off the play-offs or something like that.
“Around about eighth or 10th is where I thought we’d be, but now I’m getting greedy.
“If I do my job right I can get us a lot higher than that.
“The players have given me everything and I think I’ve got to lead them now.”
Cardiff City, possible: Cardiff City: Etheridge, Paterson, Bamba, Manga, Peltier, Damour, Ralls, Feeney, Mendez-Laing, Bogle, Healey. Bench: Hoilett, Murphy, Pilkington, Halford, Tomlin, Zohore, Connolly.