Holloway gains revenge for defeat 15 years ago
QUEENS Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway hasn’t been shocked to see Neil Warnock propel Cardiff City up the table — but took great pleasure in exacting revenge for a defeat to the Bluebirds 15 years ago.
A Robert Earnshaw hat-trick sealed a 4-0 victory for Lennie Lawrence’s Bluebirds outfit over QPR in November 2002, a result Holloway — now back at Loftus Road for a second spell — hadn’t forgotten.
“I’ve got some past history with Cardiff.
“They stuffed me 4-0 here once and then at Wembley I stuffed them with a different team!” he said, also recalling the agonising 2010 play-off final when Holloway’s Blackpool stunned Dave Jones’ Bluebirds to seal promotion to the Premier League.
Back in the present, substitute Yeni Ngbakoto and a Jazz Richards own goal completed an unlikely fightback for the Rs, after Cardiff had led through Sol Bamba’s terrific header. Holloway bemoaned that moment which gifted Cardiff a 1-0 lead on the brink of half time – Bamba converting Craig Noone’s corner – but was proud to have ended the Bluebirds’ run of four games unbeaten.
“We didn’t want to give them anything set piece-wise, because everything they do (from set pieces) is exceptional,” he added.
“Then we make one mistake and one bloke heads it in the top corner just before half time.”
Holloway also lauded the Warnock Effect at Cardiff City Stadium, insisting it was no surprise to see a manager with Warnock’s nous thriving in the Championship once more.
The game was billed as a battle between two of the division’s more animated characters.
And it was Holloway who trumped the more-experienced Warnock to take a vital victory that further dents any lingering hopes of Cardiff making the play-offs this term.
He added: “They’ve been on a fantastic run of form under Neil, they’ve won seven out of 11.
“They’ve been absolutely magnificent and there’s no shock, is there? Let’s be honest. You have to earn your stripes (in management) and Neil’s got more stripes than most.
“He’s retired more times than anybody I’ve ever met, but I’m glad he’s still in the game because he’s a wonderful character and I’m happy to have beat him.”
The QPR boss also defended referee Darren England, who Warnock had criticised for being too inexperienced to referee in the second tier.
The Cardiff manager felt England had given a soft free-kick for a Joe Ralls foul which led to the QPR winning goal.
“It wasn’t an easy game to officiate with so many manly challenges flying in,” said Holloway.
“And what do you expect with two competitive people in the dug-out who love QPR and Neil, who now loves Cardiff?”