Neil Warnock reveals ‘pride’ at Cardiff after ‘struggling to get out of bed’ after Emiliano Sala disappearance

Neil Warnock has spoken of his “pride” in Cardiff City‘s performance in their 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday night, admitting that in the difficult days after Emiliano Sala’s disappearance he has often “struggled to get out of bed”.

On an emotional night at the Emirates Stadium, Cardiff narrowly lost their first match since Sala, their £15m record signing, went missing over the English Channel.

The 28-year-old Argentine forward and pilot David Ibbotson were on board a light aircraft that disappeared while travelling from Nantes to Cardiff, following Sala’s transfer. Tributes were paid to the player before the game from both sets of players, officials and supporters.

And at the end of an extremely difficult night, Warnock heaped praise on his team, who had numerous chances to open the scoring in an end-to-end first-half.

“It was tough,” Warnock said. “I was really proud of the lads and the fans, it was probably our best performance of the season away from home, against a good team. Whilst it’s been a disappointing week, all credit to the boys for the performance. I don’t think we’ve ever had 19 shots away from home before. If they’d have had our chances, they’d have probably beaten us four or five.”

Warnock also spoke of how difficult the days since Sala’s disappearance have been for everybody connected to the club. A number of his players have attended counselling sessions, with Warnock himself admitting that he has been struggling even to get out of bed.

“It was bound to be [emotional],” Warnock added. “I can’t explain how it’s been this week. You’ve not really wanted to get out of bed, because you know what’s coming. Everything was really miserable. Nobody could actually do anything about it. It’s been really difficult.

“The fans showing what they’ve shown down at the stadium was pretty amazing and the Nantes fans have been fabulous. I know we’ve lost a game of football, but there are other more important things. In the circumstances, we’ve only worked on it for 24 hours, the system and everything. They couldn’t have given me any more tonight. I’m proud to be their manager tonight.

“What’s gone on this week is unprecedented. We spoke about it before the kick-off. For Emiliano we ought to try to put a performance in. I know people would expect us to lay down, but I thought if anything they showed what they were made of tonight. I thought we looked a good side at times.”

Warnock also made sure to praise Cardiff’s supporters, who remained long after the final whistle chanting Sala’s name and holding up banners, flags and shirts emblazoned with the Argentine’s name.

Players and officials wore daffodils all evening, while Arsenal listed the forward in the club programme alongside the rest of Cardiff’s squad.

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“They have really handled it well I think,” Warnock said of his club’s supporters. “They have been a bit of class over the last week, the supporters. It’s easy to criticise and newspapers are easy to mention all the bad things about football, but in this particular case I think they have been outstanding.

“I thought the Arsenal fans were good as well. On a night like tonight, you have to say well done to the fans tonight.”