Neil Warnock cut a relaxed figure ahead of Cardiff City’s trip to Sunderland.
The 68-year-old has led the Bluebirds to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table, although they sit third due to Wolves’ and Leeds United’s superior goal difference, but he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground and taking every game as it comes.
Promoted to the Premier League with Sheffield United and QPR, Warnock is once again relishing the challenges of the second tier, admitting anything is possible in every game.
And speaking at his pre-match press conference, he was unable to hide his excitement ahead of Saturday’s clash at the Stadium of Light.
“Every game is winnable and you can lose any game, so it’s just feet on the floor really and give the best we can,” said Warnock.
“I can’t ask for any more than that and that’s what I said to the players last week, all we can do is play the best we can.”
He continued: “The lads know we’ve got a good squad and a good team spirit, but there are a lot of clubs in our league with a lot more assets having a go and we’ve got to compete with that.
“We’re enjoying the challenge. I know I am, I know the lads are, and that’s why this week is going to be a massive week.
“I don’t think you get two bigger clubs than the two homes games and Sunderland have got a decent team so we've got a great three games ahead of us really."
Warnock also praised his opposite number Simon Grayson, explaining that he will overcome the challenges posed by rebuilding following a relegation and bring winning ways back to Wearside.
“Simon Grayson did such a good job at Preston and Leeds. You can’t change what’s there as quickly as you like after you come down from the Premier League, I found that here at Cardiff.
“It is so difficult to get rid of players given the money they are on. They don’t want to go. In my day you wanted to go to play football, but nowadays they don’t want to go unless they get paid up.”
He continued: “It’s the way that the morals are now. That makes it difficult. Simon will crack that.
“I’ve listened to some of the fans up there and while they aren’t happy with things, they still think he’s the right man.
“You can’t keep changing managers and he knows what he’s doing at Championship level.”