In part two of our series analysing the clubs fighting with Albion to avoid finishing 18th, we look at Cardiff.

Out of numbing tragedy, the possibility of unexpected triumph.

Few managers are better equipped to harness a club from despair to delight than the wily Neil Warnock.

Cardiff's manager says it will be his last job in football.

Maintaining Welsh representation in the Premier League, after the relegation of rivals Swansea last season, would be the finest achievement of the 70-year-old Yorkshireman's career, in his 39th season as a boss with his 17th club.

Not even such a wealth of experience could prepare Warnock for the death of £15 million record signing Emiliano Sala before he kicked a ball for the club.

The Argentinian striker from Nantes and pilot David Ibbotson were both killed when their light aircraft crashed in the English Channel last month.

After attending Sala's funeral in his homeland, Warnock told reporters: "Things like this don't happen in football. I have been a manager nearly 40 years and I've never known anything like this.

"It has been so emotional. People say 'he never played for you' but he was my player. I chased him, I wanted him. I've got goose pimples talking to you. He was my type of player - a scruffy player with a big heart."

A similar description could be applied to Warnock's team. Scruffy players (by Premier League standards) with big hearts.

Outsiders when they were promoted last season, Cardiff were everybody's favourites at the start of the season to go straight back down.

And yet, as they continue to mourn for Sala, they have just won consecutive top flight matches for the first time in 57 years against Bournemouth and in the closing moments at Southampton to edge back out of the relegation zone at the expense of Saints.

Fuelled by sadness, they have given themselves a fighting chance.

Home soil is as significant to Cardiff as the Amex is to Albion.

The Argus: They have won four and drawn one of their last seven matches at the Cardiff City Stadium, launched in November by a last-gasp victory over the ten-man Seagulls supplied by talismanic central defender Sol Bamba (centre) after Dale Stephens had been sent-off.

They have also not let in a goal at home since losing 3-0 to Tottenham on New Year's Day.

Cardiff still have to visit both Manchester clubs and Wolves, while the key trip to the Amex scheduled for March 16 is subject to rearrangement due to Albion's clashing FA Cup quarter-final at Millwall.

The main drawback for the Welshmen, who include in their ranks former Albion full-back Joe Bennett, is scoring goals or more to the point creating opportunities to score.

Only Burnley have a worse record in this respect and Warnock does not possess the same firepower as Sean Dyche's side to capitalise on a paucity of service.

Kenneth Zohore's late winner at Southampton was a rare highlight for the Dane who was once a target for Albion.

Cardiff were boosted by the comeback from injury in the second half at Southampton of Spaniard Victor Camarasa, on loan from Real Betis for the season.

The 24-year-old brings creativity to the midfield and has also contributed three goals.

Whether the wave of emotion over Sala's fate will sustain them is debatable but Cardiff will not go meekly. Not with Warnock at the helm.

Fixtures

Home: Watford, Everton, West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Crystal Palace.

Away: Wolves, Albion, Manchester City, Burnley, Fulham, Manchester United.

Form

Three wins in the last seven games, 11 points from the last eight.

The good news

The nous of Neil Warnock.

The bad news 

Quality shortage.

Key Player

Shane Duffy's Republic of Ireland international team-mate Harry Arter had bags of Premier League experience with Bournemouth.

Current position

17th.

Predicted finish

18th.

Tomorrow Newcastle.