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Neil Warnock has called on Cardiff City fans to resist the temptation to watch the Severnside derby from the comfort of the sofa and give his Bluebirds side their vociferous backing on Friday night.

The match is being televised live on Sky Sports but Warnock wants to see a packed and vocal Cardiff City Stadium as he enters the dug-out for the first time.

The new first team manager has been overwhelmed by the strength of support he has received since taking the post last week, and wants to build on an already excellent rapport with the Cardiff faithful.

He said: “I think people were surprised I came here and took the job. I saw a few people saying online, that we'd 'never get a Neil Warnock or a Steve Bruce down here'. It made me smile.

“Well, I've thrown my lot in now so I want the fans to do so too. I've spoken to the lads and I'm sure they'll do the same.

“It's a new season starting now and we need a combined effort from everybody.

“I know it's tempting with the game being on tele, to go down the pub or watch it from your settee, but come and be vocal.

“When they get vocal at Cardiff it's as good as anything I've heard in the game.”

An already mouth watering clash takes on a new dimension with Warnock's arrival. Whilst the new Cardiff boss was in charge of Rotherham during their great escape last year, Bristol City boss Lee Johnson called on his side to win through 'aggression, good football or intimidation.'

Warnock was outraged then and wants a big crowd to create a passionate atmosphere when the Robins arrive.

The new boss has also opened up his affection for the Cardiff fans and the role they played in convincing him to come to South Wales.

He said: “Whenever I've come to down Cardiff in the past I've always got off the bus and had a chat with the fans, signing autographs. I'm sure it'll be the same faces I see on Friday night. They've always said 'we'd love you down here, Neil', and I've always said, 'One day, you never know.'”

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Cardiff face a tall order against a Bristol City side that are unbeaten in five games across all competitions.

That run included a 4-0 thumping of Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham, one of the league's early pacesetters.

They lost Ivory Coast striker Jonathan Kodjia to Aston Villa but that gap has more than been filled by Chelsea starlet Tammy Abraham, who has plundered eight goals in eleven appearances since his arrival at Ashton Gate.

Warnock is well aware of the threat but hopes the Cardiff fans can galvanise his side.

He said: “I've been thrilled with the response [from fans], and I'm excited for Friday. There's a little bit of trepidation obviously, but I just think at this stage of my career I've just got to do the best that I can.

“Let's progress together.”