Neil Warnock shocked Bluebirds players by asking them to give him a round of applause at the Vale of Glamorgan training ground.
The Yorkshireman has been voted manager of the Football League 2017-18 team of the season, but there are no Cardiff City players in the line-up.
“I asked my players for a round of applause . . . they didn’t know what I was asking for, but it was for me,” said Warnock.
“I told them ‘to do it with you lot and not one of you are in the team of the season must mean I’m brilliant!’
“We have two or three players who will feel hard done by. It’s difficult when you vote early and a lot of foreign players probably don’t know our players.
“You have to go along with the regulations and the lads here don’t need anything like that.
“There will be banter from some lads ribbing the likes of Sol (Bamba) and Junior (Hoilett) and Rallsy (Joe Ralls).
“For me they’re all players of the season, Etheridge, Bruno (Manga), Bennett, Ken (Zohore). Everybody.
“The competition has been fabulous and that’s kept us surviving in the top end.
“Those who are in the EFL team are extremely good players. We are biased and I don’t think there’s been a better centre-half than Bamba and not a better wide player than Hoilett.
“I’m looking forward to our end of season get together and see who gets the awards. And that’s how we are, because we’re over the bridge nobody bothers. There’s one or two in that side who are the best in the league, but haven’t had particularly good seasons. But I wouldn’t swap many. Maybe the odd one.”
Warnock revealed he voted for Millwall’s Neil Harris to be EFL team of the season manager – and not Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
“I voted for Neil because it’s about what you have as the raw material and how you use it,” said Warnock.
“I didn’t vote for Nuno, but he’s done a great job. I voted for Neil Harris, I think he’s done a remarkable job with limited resources.
“Nuno has done a terrific job and I know how he feels. When I won the league easily with QPR I think Paul Lambert won it, so I was a bit peeved.
“This is the first thing I’ve ever won and it’s great for the lads to know we’re well thought of.”
All 72 EFL managers voted for their players of the season and the Championship Team of the Season line-up is: John Ruddy (Wolves), Ryan Fredericks (Fulham), Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham), Conor Coady (Wolves), John Terry (Aston Villa), Tom Cairney (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolves), James Maddison (Norwich City), Bobby Reid (Bristol City), Albert Adomah (Aston Villa), Matej Vydra (Derby County).
Czech international Matej Vydra, the Championship leading scorer on 18 goals, is in the team along with former Chelsea and England defender John Terry.
The 13th annual EFL Awards ceremony are on Sunday, April 15 at The Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London.
Nominations for main EFL awards
EA Sports Young Player of the Season
James Maddison (Norwich City)
Ruben Neves (Wolves)
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham).
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season
Tom Cairney (Fulham)
Ruben Neves (Wolves).
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham).
Warnock also said he has warned Cardiff City captain Sean Morrison and other players about making videos for shared WhatsApp use.
A video of Morrison swearing and mocking Derby players Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce and Jason Shackell was leaked to twitter – and Warnock says his wife was offended by the language.
Warnock said: “Morrison is apologetic. These things are said between pals and they’ve known each other for years.
“I don’t condone the language and it leaves a lot to be desired. Our lads have videos of them as well.
“After the game our lads were in an airport having a drink in a social place and Bradley Johnson was with Pilkington, who had played at Norwich and it was just a lot of banter.
“When you first hear of that, you think oh no, but when you see the videos our lads have got, it’s just banter really and hot air, it just makes it more mouthwatering when we play them in a few weeks.
“If we released theirs there would be more headlines! It’s just banter and was two weeks ago. It has only been let out now.
“I don’t want us to get our own back. Let’s move on. Social media is a dangerous thing and they have to be warned about that.
“It frightens me to death just answering the phone. Nothing is sacred now.
“That’s what disappointed me. I’ve had a chat with Morrison and told him I’m disappointed in him and he’s apologised. There’s certain language he shouldn’t use.
“I’ve said to him, let it be a warning to everyone because even if it’s mates, they can stitch you up.
“It’s only gone on their Snapchat and that, but it only takes one in the group to put it out. I’ve told Morrison I don’t want any of the Derby videos going out.
“We’ve all had a laugh and all that, but I his language! My wife wasn’t happy that. The players are good friends with each other, but alcohol is a funny thing, isn’t it?”
The Bluebirds go into a top two clash at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday (7.45pm) when leaders Wolves come to South Wales.