Malky relishes battle with Warnock

Malky Mackay will this weekend try to outfox the man he admits he has learned plenty from down the years.

Neil Warnock brings his Leeds side to the Welsh capital on Saturday as Championship hostilities resume following the international break.

Just to add spice to proceedings, in typical fashion, Warnock seems to have started the mind games particularly early this time around.

In a recent interview he expressed how jealous he was at the spending power Mackay wielded in the recent transfer window.

The Bluebirds boss did indeed splash around £10m bringing in 10 new faces, so does wily old Warnock have a point?

“I tell you what I’ve been jealous of the spending power he’s had down the years too,” laughed Mackay.

“I’m going to take those comments with a real pinch of salt.

“We know this is very much going to be a tough encounter.”

It is certainly a perfectly-poised encounter, with the two teams lying seventh and eight currently, the Yorkshire outfit only ahead by virtue of having scored one more goal so far this term.

Both teams have identical records up to now, having won two, drawn one and lost one.

And they both encountered epic struggles against teams plying their trades in the Premier League last season the last time they took to the pitch.

Cardiff saw off Wolves 3-1 in a performance that took the breath away with the sweeping majesty of its forward momentum.

Whilst Leeds went toe-to-toe with Blackburn in an encounter that see-sawed right to the very end and finished 3-3 at Elland Road.

There is, of course, the intense rivalry between the two clubs down the years also to factor in.

It would be fair to say there is little love lost between them and that might be putting it mildly with clashes regularly providing plenty of spills and thrills.

None more so than the FA Cup third-round clash at a rabid Ninian Park in 2002 when then third-tier Cardiff beat Premiership-topping Leeds and arguably precipitated the Yorkshire club’s descent from the dizzy heights.

So plenty of passion and controlled hostility, but there will be some admiration and respect between the two mangers.

It is a clash arguably of the master versus the talented apprentice as Warnock and Mackay plot each other’s downfalls in the most respected terms allowable.

Warnock is one of the most remarkable, eccentric and downright successful managers to grace the game in recent years.

As much reviled as loved, he’s outspoken because basically he’s earned the right to say whatever he likes.

He has earned an amazing seven promotions at different clubs, including two to the Premier League with hometown club Sheffield United and QPR.

Despite taking them to the top flight for the first time in 15 years, Warnock was sacked by Rangers in January this year, but, in typical fashion, a month later he was in charge at Elland Road.

The 63-year-old has threatened to retire more times than Frank Sinatra, but is drawn back into football by a passion for the game you probably only lose when you draw your last breath.

One man who believes the game is better for having Warnock around is the man doing battle with him on Saturday.

“Neil is someone I’ve known for 15 years, since I’ve been in England,” said Mackay.

“I think the biggest compliment you could give him as a manager is that he’s been in work for virtually all that length of time.

“He is someone you can massively learn from. He has so much experience that you would be foolish not to take in what he says. He’s had a lot of success down the years and you don’t have that without knowing the game inside and out.

“When I’ve had the chance to have a chat with him you do pick up things. I hope I can get some more words of wisdom from him this time.”

Of course nearer the top of Mackay’s list of priorities will be taking three points from Warnock on Saturday.

And the Bluebirds’ boss knows that will be easier said than done against a Leeds side that has some real firepower in it.

Frontman Luciano Becchio is already jointly topping the leading goal scorers with five in total and four in the Championship.

Former Cardiff striker Ross McCormack has already found the net a couple of times this season too.

Mackay will be looking for a performance similar to the one his players put in last time out against Wolves.

The Bluebirds could be boosted with the return of star man Craig Bellamy, who is back in training after a calf injury and could be set for a place amongst the substitutes on Saturday.

Centre-half Ben Turner, who has also missed the last two games, will have his foot injury further assessed closer to the weekend.

And Mackay knows his troops are going to have to be at their best to outwit Warnock and his side.

Mackay added: “Neil has managed to add to his squad and he has started to put his stamp on things there.

“In Becchio and McCormack they have two dangerous strikers too. But it should be a good game and one we are very much looking forward to.”


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-football/2012/09/12/cardiff-city-manager-malky-mackay-relishes-battle-with-leeds-boss-warnock-91466-31814132/

I hope Mackay sticks with the same XI as the Wolves game..even if Turner & Bellamy are fit.

Perhaps just one adjustment - sticks Noone down the right and play Bo-Kyoung down the left - just to give him a go.

Play ALL the players from the start and everyone just keep quiet about it, OK?