Neil Etheridge says Cardiff City don’t need to fear anyone in the Premier League despite opening day defeat
August 13, 2018
By Jamie Kemble Cardiff City, Football, News
Neil Etheridge says Cardiff City won’t be intimidated by Premier League opponents this season.
The Bluebirds suffered defeat in their Premier League opener on the weekend, losing 2-0 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
However, the false start was to be expected against a now established Premier League side in Bournemouth.
Despite the defeat, there were some positives for Neil Warnock’s men, not least goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Etheridge saved a first-half penalty to keep his team in a game which saw him become the first player from the Philippines to play in the Premier League.
So despite defeat, it was a positive day for the Bluebirds’ number one, who remained positive even after a disappointing afternoon on the South Coast.
He told BBC Sport: “I don’t think any of the boys in our dressing room are intimidated by the League, of course we know it’s a step up… each individual in our dressing room has got to step up as well.
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“We don’t need to fear anyone. We’ve got such a good tight group and the gaffer (Neil Warnock) says go out and enjoy it and we will.
“That’ll get us through the hard times, because there will be tough times you know undoubtedly throughout the season.”
Home form was key for Cardiff City last season with Neil Warnock’s men making the Cardiff City Stadium a fortress.
They possessed one of the best home records in the league as they secured automatic promotion, and it’s something the Bluebirds hope to replicate this season.
In fact, Neil Etheridge is betting on home form to give his team the lifeline they may need in a ruthless Premier League. “Home games are going to be crucial for us this season,” he added.
“We weren’t favourites to go up last year either and we proved people wrong, so that’s the mentality we’ve got in the dressing room and we’ll stick together.”
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