Neil Warnock revealed Cardiff City’s biggest victory for seven years came at a cost – both to himself and striker Rhys Healey.
The Bluebirds manager was rightly proud of an emphatic 5-0 win at home to Rotherham – his team’s third on the trot – that was laced with two goals from the rapidly-improving Kenneth Zohore.
But Warnock – who again dismissed out of hand any notion Cardiff could still make the play-offs – confirmed Healey’s season is over after the young striker suffered a knee injury that forced him off on a stretcher.
There was also an emotional cost, claimed Warnock, to himself, as the man who was Rotherham’s saviour last season with a miraculous escape from relegation.
After seeing his team dismantle a weak Rotherham side with goals from Zohore (2), Kadeem Harris, Junior Hoilett and Craig Noone, Warnock said: “The sour point is Rhys Healey’s injury, which soured everything really. We think he’s done both his ligaments, which would be a major blow for him.
“He’s gone for another scan now. It doesn’t look very good at all. He’s done so well for us, given us a new lease of life – his winner against Burton and getting the penalty against Derby the other night.
“To miss out on a nothing injury – I think his studs caught in the turf and it’s a crying shame for the young lad.
“It’s his cruciate and his anterior ligaments. It looks suspiciously like they’re both gone.”
Asked if the injury would mean a nine-month lay-off, Warnock added: “If he’s lucky I would imagine. I won’t know until next week but it’s disappointing to say the least.”
A year ago, Warnock took over at Rotherham and managed to pull off one of the greatest escapes in the history of the Championship.
This year, the Millers are bottom again but look bereft of belief as well as organisation and ability. For Warnock, who went over to applaud the tiny numbers of visting fans at the final whistle, it meant it was a bitter-sweet afternoon.
“I didn’t feel good about the game with it being my own club and the situation they’re in. I’d rather be playing Newcastle and Brighton and teams like that because you can’t really win.
“I asked the lads to be professional and I was glad to see the second goal go in at half-time and even more happy to see the third one go in because I knew that was the killer.
“I wanted us to step up a gear at half-time. I was disappointed in four or five, which I told them about, and I thought the four or five responded and I thought we were a lot better in the second half.
“We didn’t really give them a look-in in the second half. It’s difficult for Rotherham. They’re decimated by injury, they’ve got the two lads from us who can’t play, they’ve got a few more problems and I’ve been there.
“I know how difficult it is. While it’s a great win, I don’t take any satisfaction at all from seeing the position they’re in.”
But Warnock was happier to enthuse about Zohore’s two goals, which now make it five for the season for the 23-year-old Dane.
“When he listens to what I say, he’s a threat. I think he’s getting better and I think he can get better with a pre-season.
“With me, he doesn’t get away with anything. He’s got to do it and he knows that. He’s responded well and he’s working really hard.
“He’s on his own a lot. His goals were quality, same with Kadeem. But at least they’re getting opportunities. I did like the chip from Kenneth to pick a favourite.
Rotherham’s caretaker manager Paul Warne saw his fragile team fall apart and confessed it was not just the well-being of his players that worried him.
“I’d like to think that will be character-building for me somewhere down the line, but during the second-half it felt like I as having a heart attack,” said Warne.
“The players were low in the dressing room, although possibly not as low as me. Players are resilient, they wash it off their bodies and carry on. They also tend to look for others to blame, rather than look in the mirror.
“Coming into this game, I was hopeful but expectant. But that was embarrassing to the club and the fans didn’t deserve that. I played my part and for that I apologise.”