By Terry Phillips
Neil Warnock says Cardiff City’s home match against Burton Albion on Saturday is going to revive personal memories of a miraculous club .
The Bluebirds team boss was manager of Albion for more than five years from 1981 and says: “It’s going to be a special feeling playing against them.
“It’s a miracle what they have achieved over recent years and they haven’t had enough praise for what they’ve done.
“A lot of it is down to their chairman, Ben Robinson, for what he’s done with the club. It was Ben who appointed me at Burton. His loyalty to managers has been first class down the years. He’s not one for panicking or sacking managers.
“Without him, there wouldn’t be a new stadium and I doubt much would have changed.
“They’re one level outside the Premier League. It’s a miracle, really.”
Warnock, though, will put his Burton links to one side on Saturday and focus on ensuring his Cardiff City team earn a third successive Championship victory, having beaten Aston Villa 1-0 and Bristol City 3-2.
“I’ve been pleased with the way things have gone and the only thing I am disappointed is that we haven’t kept more clean sheets,” says Warnock. “That does bug me a little.”
Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor makes his debut for City against Burton with Brian Murphy certainly to be among the substitutes.
Warnock has confirmed that McGregor, who has joined Cardiff on loan from Hull City, is his first choice goalkeeper.
“Allan wasn’t one of my original targets and we made a couple of offers for younger goalkeepers,” said Warnock. “I didn’t think he would be available, but when I heard he was we jumped straight in.
“Nothing will phase him. We have some tough games coming up and he will reveal in those.”
Warnock has also confirmed that Kenneth Zohore is his number one striker and that Rickie Lambert will have to be patient.
Lambert will be staying with Cardiff and it looks likely that Rhys Healey, now back with the club after a loan spell at Newport, will also be staying.
Warnock and club owner Vincent Tan have had talks about future plans, meeting in London after the Bluebirds won 3-2 at Bristol City.
“I said to Vincent we need three or four quality players, if we want to challenge that is,” he said.
“If you don’t want to challenge, obviously you can get somebody else in and you can go with what you want to go with. It’s one of those things.
“I have to show Vincent I am the one he should support to have a go (for promotion). That is what my job is between now and the end of the season to try and convince him he will not have a better chance. Then it is up to him and the board to decide.
“I want to have a go next year and Vincent knows that.”
Warnock still wants to strengthen his squad in the current transfer window and is still keen on Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes.