Cardiff City manager Omer Riza praised his players’ fighting spirit after they came from 2-0 down to grab a precious point at Millwall. Bluebirds substitute Yousef Salech is up and running for his new club after he equalised with three seconds of stoppage time remaining as Cardiff snatched a 2-2 draw. The point means Cardiff are now unbeaten in seven matches – their best form of the season – and have moved two points clear of the relegation zone, up to 19th place in the Championship table.
Callum Robinson proved once again he is the main matchwinner for Cardiff City as he returned to net two goals for the Bluebirds in their 3-0 triumph over Swansea City in the South Wales derby. Robinson missed his club’s last three games through suspension following a red card against Coventry City, but he announced his return to the team with two brilliant left-footed strikes. Added to Dimitrios Goutas’ header, it was enough to give Cardiff an emphatic victory and riposte to those who felt this fixture has meant more to their rivals in recent years.
Calum Chambers is loving turning back the clock and reinventing himself as a midfield player. The former Arsenal and England centre back star has rekindled his dream to make the grade as a midfielder at Cardiff City this season and is still frustrated he didn’t get a crack at his favoured role at The Emirates after returning from a successful loan season at Fulham. He has been moved up the pitch by Bluebirds boss Omer Riza since Christmas and since then his relegation-threatened side haven’t lost.
Omer Riza was not in charge of Cardiff City for the last South Wales derby, but he insists he knows all about the rivalry with Swansea City. Riza actually held the Bluebirds’ post-match press conference back in August after the 1-1 draw at the Swansea.com Stadium. But that was only because the then assistant manager’s own boss, Erol Bulut, was sent off after a push-and-shove contest with some of the Swans’ players over a ball that had gone out of play.
Omer Riza believes his Cardiff City team have thrown away eight points in their battle to avoid relegation – even though they have climbed out of the drop zone. Riza bemoaned the Bluebirds’ inability to hold onto a lead as they conceded in the 87th minute at home to Watford on Tuesday night. The goal turned what would have been a 1-0 victory – and three priceless points – into a 1-1 draw. It was enough to nudge Riza’s men out of the relgation zone, but does not give them the three-point cushion they would have enjoyed.
Cardiff City’s reward for beating Sheffield United is another away trip for the fourth round of the FA Cup – to Stoke City. The Bluebirds – the only Welsh club left in the tournament after Swansea City lost 3-0 at Southampton – overcame Championship high-fliers Sheffield United last Thursday night and then had to wait until Sunday evening to learn of their opponents in the next round.
Omer Riza believes Cardiff City’s surprise 1-0 FA Cup victory at Sheffield United can provide the fuel to propel his team away from relegation trouble. Riza watched a much-changed Bluebirds team beat an equally re-jigged home side thanks to a Cian Ashford goal to move into the fourth round.
Cardiff City manager Omer Riza insists he is still in love with the magic of the FA Cup – only maybe not on a Thursday night. The old tournament reaches its third round stage this week, a familiar landmark in the sporting calendar and one that has always been neatly squeezed between New Year hangovers and the start of rugby’s Six Nations.
Omer Riza wants “three or four” new players in the January transfer window as he bids to keep Cardiff City in the Championship. The Bluebirds manager has confirmed moves have been made to sign Peterborough United forward Ricky-Jade Jones – whose blistering pace and proven goal-scoring record have caught the Bluebirds’ attention – but the net is being cast wider.
Calum Chambers has again been hailed as vital to Cardiff City’s hopes of climbing away from relegation trouble. Bluebirds manager Omer Riza praised Chambers before his team’s trip to Middlesbrough at the weekend and was full of admiration for him afterwards following his stunning strike in a 1-1 draw.
Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has praised Calum Chambers’ switch from defender to midfielder and insists the transformation could be key to the club’s hopes of pulling away from the Championship relegation zone. Bluebirds boss Riza has praised the 29-year-old’s performances in his new role, calling him “excellent” after his displays in recent matches against Watford and Coventry.
Aaron Ramsey’s future at Cardiff City looks uncertain after manager Omer Riza admitted injuries were undermining his Wales star. Riza has revealed that Ramsey’s succession of injuries have delayed his comeback plans because they have torpedoed his schedule.