Neil Warnock is relishing a "tasty" reunion with Bristol City supporters as he aims to "ruffle a few feathers" in Huddersfield Town's quest to avoid relegation.
The Terriers boss is the pantomime villain City fans love to hate following a long and memorable rivalry that dates back to 2008 when former City defender Jamie McCombe scored a 97th-minute equaliser against his Crystal Palace side. That was reignited three months later as City knocked them out of the play-offs before Freddie Sears' infamous ghost goal when Gary Johnson was in charge.
The feud continued when Lee Johnson was in the dugout, with Warnock branding his counterpart as an "absolute disgrace" following comments made by the City head coach to beat his side through "aggression, good football or intimidation." Warnock would later declare: "When I pass away, I don’t want clapping or a minute’s silence, I want a minute’s booing at Bristol City.”
Huddersfield head into the game with their confidence rocked after back-to-back 4-0 defeats, away at Burnley and at home to Coventry, left them rooted to the foot of the Championship. They have won once in their last 10 league matches, with Warnock taking charge for three of them, and face the prospect of being cut adrift from safety as they currently lie seven points behind Cardiff City in 21st.
Warnock pinpointed the threat of Nigel Pearson's attacking options ahead of Tuesday's contest and suggested they were underachieving having expected them to be pushing closer to the play-offs. Speaking ahead of Tuesday night's game he told Examiner Live: "They've had an exciting group of young players come through and I had the same at Sheffield United.
"You're blessed that they all step up to the Championship and they have good players, plus they have players like Nahki Wells who has been good throughout his career. I'm surprised they're not up fighting for the play-offs.
"I've had some right battles with their fans and I'm sure if we lose 4-0 on Tuesday they'll be having a few rounds. Their front four are as good as anybody, whoever he plays. They're all quick and very very good. Our defence will need to be on their toes and play better than they have lately."
With his side staring down the barrel of relegation, Warnock said a drop into League One wouldn't tarnish his reputation or his enjoyment of the job but is aware a victory against City could provide the platform to build some momentum in the league: "I've no regrets at all," he added. "Life is so short and usually if I'm asked to go out nowadays it's to a funeral.
"You've got to live every day and these lads are so lucky to work at a club like this with a fanbase like they've got. I've got to lift the morale and pick the best team I can with the squad I've got. It's a right challenge for me as well, even with the experience I've had.
"I've never been in a situation worse than this, and I've been in some bad situations. If tomorrow is a bit tasty with the Bristol City fans that's great, isn't it?
"My reputation won't be tainted by a relegation because everyone knows the position we're in but we need to ruffle some feathers. We can decide who goes up and who gets relegated. I've always wanted to be a thorn in the sides and that's what I want to be."
Warnock has come up against City 23 times in his career, with nine wins, nine defeats and five draws. Victory for Pearson's side could lift the Robins into the top half if other results in the division go their way.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
