Quantcast
Blogs

Why Newcastle’s hosting of Cardiff means so much more than three points

|
Image for Why Newcastle’s hosting of Cardiff means so much more than three points

This weekend pits Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez against an old rival in the shape of Neil Warnock. 

The latter was recently installed as Cardiff City manager in an attempt to get the Bluebirds back on track, giving this weekend’s game at St. James’ Park an extra layer of spice.

And then some.

Warnock and the Champions League winner have quite the history, with the former blaming the Spaniard for his part in Sheffield United’s relegation back in 2007.

While there was oh so much more to the Blades’ drop into the second-tier, the Yorkshireman scolded the then-Liverpool coach for his decision to field a weakened team against Fulham, one the Reds lost in order to give their opposition a much-need three points.

“I’d never heard of them but when you are a foreign manager like Rafa Benitez, you probably don’t give two hoots about what Sheffield United think”, he said back then (quotes sourced from Wales Online.)

So, the visit of the Welsh side this weekend is likely to be a fiery affair.

Like him or loathe him, Warnock is one of the most experienced managers in the league at this level.

Though the Toon top the league, much was made about Benitez’s lack of experience in the second-tier, with many citing it as a reason his mission to restore the Magpies to the top tier could ultimately fail.

With that being said, a win against his old rival would go some way into casting that notion into the abyss, where it belongs.

Share this article