By Graham Thomas
Cardiff City host Sheffield United on Saturday against a familiar backdrop of uncertainty around manager and club owner.
Except this time, we are talking about the visitors, not the Bluebirds.
So, it’s not Omer Riza but Chris Wilder who is the subject of speculation, whilst questions surrounding the owner are about the Blades’ Prince Abdullah, rather than King Tan.
Yet, there is a difference between the two clubs – a big one. Cardiff are 20 places beneath Sheffield United in the Championship table.
As the Bluebirds struggle to cope with doubt – they have gone seven matches without winning after agonising over whether to offer Riza a permanent deal – the league leaders have taken it all in their stride.
TEAM NEWS: ” CARDIFF CITY v SHEFFIELD UNITED ”
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https://t.co/Z33d0OcpZb pic.twitter.com/dUH2tvfWry— Annis Abraham (@AnnisAbraham) December 20, 2024
Wilder is out of contract at the end of the season, but his team are unbeaten in 10 matches, of which eight were victories – form that has seen them open up a three-point gap ahead of Leeds United at the top.
At the same time, the Saudi Prince Abdullah is in the process of selling the club to a US consortium.
Turbulence, it seems, can be overcome, just so long as your team is good enough.
Cardiff have failed to prove capable of doing that as yet, so it’s little wonder that Riza wants to be active in the January transfer window.
“We are always talking about players, whether it be signings or free agents, we’ve got a long list and a short list,” said Riza.
“I think there will be an option of loans or permanent signings, it all depends on what the remit is after we’ve had a discussion and had our conversations about how we approach it.
“I am looking forward to it. I want things to start moving – I don’t want it to all come in a rush at the end.
“I have been preparing for a while. I have a list of players, I have been doing my homework for positions we need to strengthen. We’ve been looking abroad and at home.”
The boss on tomorrow’s test. ️ pic.twitter.com/VSzU0sZQfW
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 20, 2024
One of Cardiff’s major problems this season has been finding someone to share the burden for goalscoring with Callum Robinson.
The Republic of Ireland international is the club’s leading league scorer with five goals, but no-one else has managed more than two.
Sheffield United’s Tyrese Campbell is the Blades’ leading scorer with six goals, but others have chipped in with Gustavo Hamer hitting five and former Cardiff hit-man Kieffer Moore managing four.
Even so, Wilder is expecting a difficult game and insisted: “Look at the options Cardiff have.
“I’m not picking their team but players like Callum (Robinson) haven’t been starting, so they obviously have some quality players, and we believe they are an attack-minded team.
“As a unit they are a possession-based side, particularly at home and their metrics at the top end of the pitch is really good, but their league position suggests it might not be as strong in other areas.
“We’ve got to deal with their threats offensively first and then try to, as we have all season, hurt the opposition going the other way.”
The dismal run prompted the departure of former manager Tim Walter earlier in December. But results have not improved significantly under new head coach Ruben Selles, who has overseen just one point gained from three matches since taking charge on 6 December.
As the Championship nears its halfway mark, Hull have the worst home record in the league, with only one victory at the MKM Stadium to their name this season.
Even so, Swansea are narrow outsiders at 9/5, with Hull priced 6/4 favourites.
Swansea have not lost to a side currently below 13th in the Championship this season, but that is a record that must continue against Hull if they are to prove they can push towards the play-off places again.
Omer Riza Insists Cardiff City Can Continue Upward Bounce Despite No Wins In Seven Games
