'It's not a coincidence!' Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough not shocked by Cardiff City's superb form under Neil Warnock
By Michael Jones
Wednesday 23rd August 2017
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough admitted he is not surprised by Cardiff City's blistering start to the season.
Speaking in the aftermath of the Brewers' 2-1 victory over a second string City side in Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash, Clough
remarked how Neil Warnock's old Queens Park Rangers side, — who clinched the Championship title in the 2010/11 season — have striking similarities to the way in which this Cardiff team has begun the current campaign.
A late Kenneth Zohore strike sealed three opening day points for the Bluebirds away to Burton, proving a catalyst for Cardiff's scintillating start to the league.
And when quizzed about Cardiff's form, which has defied many pundits' predictions, Clough recalled: "Neil did it a few seasons ago when I was at Derby and he (Warnock) was at QPR.
"We were 2-0 up at home to him and they came back and scored two injury time goals and then went on to get promoted.
"It was a bit like that at our place, where it looked like being a draw and they nicked one in the 88th minute."
Clough believes it was the opening day win that has proved pivotal in Cardiff's early success, explaining how it has given the Bluebirds "confidence to go on from there and win."
"Not too surprised, no", was Clough's response when asked if City's 100 per cent league start had shocked him.
Clearly impressed by Cardiff's opening weeks, the ex-Derby manager added fuel to the daring feel currently pervading the club, stating that he does not think "there is anything in this league to be frightened of for Cardiff."
And when the fact that two veterans of the football league preside over the top two in the Championship — Mick McCarthy's Ipswich second to Cardiff — was posed to him, he allowed himself a smirk.
"Not a coincidence", came Clough's deadpan reply.
The experience of Warnock and McCarthy is clearly respected by the rest of the division.
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