Aaron Ramsey delivered hope, but not the three points Cardiff City craved from his first match in charge and now they have reached the cliff edge.
Cardiff City are staring down the barrel in the relegation shoot-out after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Oxford United in Aaron Ramsey's first match in charge.
Aaron Ramsey has produced the odd miracle or two in a red shirt - plus one or two in blue - but now he's been asked by Cardiff City to magic one up from the touchline, as Graham Thomas reports.
Some fans have turned on Omer Riza but the Cardiff City boss insists a one-point margin can be bridged over the remaining three games.
Omer Riza is a manager under the cosh, which may explain why the Cardiff City boss had a harsh verdict on some fans who have criticised him.
Cardiff City are deep in relegation trouble with only four games to turn things around. Ian Mitchelmore examimes the impact of continual decline.
It’s looking increasingly bleak for Cardiff City who are four games without a win at the very time they need victories to stay in the Championship.
Cardiff City are running out of road. They have five games left and the destination they need to reach is still some way from view as Stoke City visit the capital.
Cardiff City are unbeaten in four matches after a goal in the fourth minute of injury time from Yakou Meite - but still have much to do.
It's now or never for Omer Riza and his attempts to keep Cardiff City in the Championship - six games to save their skins starts with Preston.
Cardiff City now have six games to get the right side of the relegation line, but they have won only nine matches out of 40 in the Championship so far.
Cardiff City are on a countdown - they have seven games to save their skins at the bottom end of the Championship.