CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock admits his future at Selhurst Park remains uncertain after growing speculation about a move across London to Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.
Speaking after his side’s FA Cup draw against Aston Villa, Warnock didn’t entirely distance himself from the rumours but confirmed he will be seeking talks with the club’s administrators.
He said: “I’m just taking it day by day at the moment.
“I think it was Thursday last week when I met him (the administrator) and he said to me I could be out of a job in a fortnight if somebody came in and bought the club.
“That was him being realistic. I’m not sure he should have told me that but I understand what he is saying.
“I think I deserve somebody to talk to me a little bit more often to keep me informed about what is happening because we need to know what we can do.
“There has not been any contact with them (QPR) and the administrator.
“I am aware of what he is telling me and until there is anything to say, then I am going to keep a cool counsel.”
Back on the pitch, Palace came within three minutes of beating their Premier League opponents and securing a place in the quarter-finals after Stylian Petrov equalised with a header from a dubiously awarded corner.
Warnock felt it should never have been given and he didn’t hold back with his views of the assistant’s performance.
He said: “It is bitter. Mr Massey has said if he got it wrong then he could be suspended for a couple of games.
“I just said to him: ‘When you are sat at home on your settee when you are suspended, will you be thinking about us?’ “We expect at this level that if a referee misses it, then the linesman stood where he is stood will see it.
“The referee asked him and he said he saw it was a corner.
“The thing is, though, he didn’t see it and he has given it to Aston Villa and they have scored a goal.
“If he is suspended, I hope it is for a long time because I asked him if he realises how hard it is for a club who can’t afford this, that and the other when we come against a top side.
“I don’t have any sympathy. We do everything right, giving everything for the cause and we are let down by something that is nothing to do with a football matter.
“It is down to pure incompetence.”
Despite the performance of the assistant, Warnock had nothing but praise for the effort his own side had put in throughout the game.
He said: “That is what the FA Cup is all about.
“I can’t explain how proud I am, the lads were absolutely fantastic.
“We had to stick to a game plan and under other circumstances we would have been through to the next round.
“They will know they have been in a game and that is all you can really do in our situation, try and be tactically as organised as you can and take your opportunities when they come.
“I thanked Martin before the game for the team he had put out because I thought it was a fabulous compliment to us, a full strength team.
“We planned to beat them in our own way and we weren’t far away.
“I suppose it is the best result for everybody really and it is a nice pay day.”
The Eagles will be in for another much needed pay day as the two teams will meet again in a replay at Villa Park and even though Warnock has conceded the hosts will be favourites, he wants to just enjoy the day out.
The Eagles chief added: “We wanted to take them back to Villa Park if I am honest.
“I am sure we can give them a good game but if they have a decent day and we don’t, then there is only team who is going to win it.
“The quality that they have got, you know that whatever we do, we are going to be in for a hard game.
“However, we have the replay at Villa Park, it is a fantastic stadium they have a good side, so we will look forward to it.”
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