Expect to see a late entry into race for promotion

So, it is perhaps no surprise that the manager of table-topping Queens Park Rangers is refusing to rule out anyone in this season's race for promotion.

Warnock has enjoyed a dream start to his first full campaign in charge at Loftus Road with the Londoners being four points clear of the chasing pack despite their weekend visit to Hull City falling victim to the Arctic weather.

Rangers also boast the Football League's only remaining unbeaten record with their current 19-game run being just one short of the club's all-time best set in both 1967 and 1972.

Understandably, Warnock is delighted with a start that he admits is beyond his wildest dreams.

However, the vastly experienced 62-year-old, who celebrated his birthday last Wednesday, will not be getting carried away due to knowing better than most the potential pitfalls that lay ahead in a division as unpredictable as the second tier of English football.

He said: "Don't get me wrong, no-one is more delighted with the start we have had than me. I said to our directors before the season that I thought we could finish somewhere between fourth and eighth.

"To be in December and still unbeaten is, therefore, very pleasing for everyone. It means we are exceeding my expectations by a mile.

"But it is also important that no-one believes the job is anywhere near done. There is still a long way to go.

"We have a tough run of fixtures coming up, our visit to Leeds (on December 18) is followed by games against Swansea, Coventry and Norwich – all teams challenging for promotion.

"If we are still unbeaten come the third round of the FA Cup then we will be in a very good position.

"The thing with the Championship is that it seems a shock or two happens every week. I thought it would be like that before a ball was kicked and that is why we have to be on our guard.

"I know just how quickly things can change in this division."

Recent seasons in the second tier have borne out Warnock's belief that nothing can be taken for granted in this most unpredictable of leagues.

In recent years, Hull City and Blackpool have gone on to win promotion via the play-offs despite starting March in ninth place.

His own Crystal Palace side came from an even more unpromising position – 19th at the start of December – to clinch a place in the play-offs during the campaign that ended with the Tigers beating Bristol City at Wembley to clinch a place in the Premier League.

Palace were also involved in perhaps the most amazing upturn in fortunes when what seemed like being a relegation fight at Christmas turned into a successful push for promotion in the spring.

Warnock said: "You only have to look at recent years to see how a team can hit form at the right time and ease their way through the pack.

"When I took over at Palace (in October, 2007), we were near the bottom but we got on a roll and things just grew and grew.

"We reached the play-offs and it was a major disappointment in the end when we couldn't finish the job. But the players deserved tremendous credit for getting where they did after such a slow start.

"Palace had managed it a few years earlier, but I must say I always thought that team had the quality to go up that season anyway. I even told Simon Jordan (then Palace chairman) that before the season had even started.

"It was a major surprise Palace started as they did (in 2003-04). But, once they got on a roll, there was no stopping Palace and they went up via the play-offs despite seeming to be out of it at Christmas.

"I really think something similar could happen again this season. There are a few candidates, that is for sure.

"I look at a team like Portsmouth, who on their day can beat anyone. They have some quality players who could easily go on a run and force their way into things.

"I think that is what a lot of people forget when they talk about the Championship and how unpredictable it is – there are a lot of good teams in this division. That is why no-one can rest on their laurels. If you do, you're gone.

"I thought at the start of the season there were 12 or so teams capable of winning automatic promotion.

"Now, I would put it at six or seven. A lot can happen over 26 or 27 games, especially when you look at some of the quality around."

With the weather being so foul last week, Warnock took the unusual step on Thursday of urging the Rangers fans not to travel to Hull. He didn't want them to endanger their own safety, so felt it better the supporters stayed at home.

Within 24 hours, the game had been postponed – meaning Warnock's side are likely to have to make the trip later in the season during midweek.

And when that happens, he expects to be facing a very strong Tigers outfit.

The QPR chief said: "Hull have had a few problems but they are still a good side. In Nigel (Pearson), they have the right man to sort it out.

"He is a level-headed guy, who will work his players hard to iron out those problems. They have been on a good run lately and the new owners seem to have given the club a bit of a push."

As for Rangers, Warnock has one simple wish for the New Year – for his players to keep setting the pace at the top.

He said: "The Cardiff game (when QPR won 2-1 a week last Saturday) was a big one and lifted everyone. A couple of weeks earlier, some of our fans had been getting a bit restless.

"We had drawn at Forest and Portsmouth, which made it four draws in five games and there were a few worried supporters out there.

"What I said was that 23 other teams in this division would probably be glad of such worries."