Warnock: We’ve improved nearly every game

Cardiff City FC boss Neil Warnock addressed the assembled press and media on Thursday morning at the Vale Resort.

Harry Arter will miss our match with Brighton & Hove Albion through suspension, but Joe Ralls is now available to be picked. The manager began by giving us a further update on his squad.

“Joe’s training. He has not been able to do any training until this week. He had a tough day Wednesday and we’ll see how he is. He’ll definitely be in the squad.

“Jazz Richards and Kenneth Zohore are both out. Zohore’s had a calf injury. That’s the difference with the top teams, they’ve got U23 internationals to come into the squad, whereas we’ve only got 17 or 18 players fit at the moment. That shows the divide.”

The Bluebirds boss was full of praise for his counterpart at Brighton & Hove Albion, adding: “He’s underrated, Chris (Hughton). His achievements speak for themselves and sometimes you’ve got to be careful what you wish for. Newcastle were in a super position when they got rid of him. He’s bad for us as managers. He’s so nice.”

City’s match against the Seagulls is their second home game on the bounce, following last week’s slender defeat to Leicester City.

“It was a difficult week last week for everybody,” admitted Warnock. “Certain players felt it more than others. At the end of the week to come away with nothing was a huge disappointment.

“The one consistent thing is the training has been fantastic. They’re a great bunch of lads. We know we’re a bit limited, but I can’t fault the attitude and that’s our best chance with the squad we’ve got - to give us a little bit more.

“They can’t do that in effort, just concentration at moments. We can’t lose a game like last week with a lack of concentration. If it’s a wonderful goal I can take my hat off.

“I think as a team we’ve improved nearly every game since the Bournemouth game and we’ve played far more football than people give us credit for. But it’s about getting the balance, we have changed and now we need a bit of luck. My wife says my luck is changing from today, so I can’t argue with my wife.

“But every game is winnable for us until Christmas if we have a good day. If we didn’t win it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but Saturday is one we want to win.”

Watch Neil Warnock's full pre-Brighton & Hove Albion press conference on Cardiff City TV!