By Gareth James
Cardiff City’s bubble has burst and interim manager Omer Riza has admitted it did not deserve to float beyond Luton.
The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at Kenilworth Road, popping a seven-game unbeaten run and inflicting a second defeat on Riza in his eight-game spell in charge.
Whether the result affects his chances of being given the permanent manager’s job remains to be seen, but a slip back down to 21st place in the table – above the bottom three on goal difference – cannot have helped his cause.
“We didn’t quite click the way we have done recently with our attacking threats,” said Riza.
“We still picked up good pockets, we still received the ball, we still pulled the opposition into positions they didn’t like, but just those final moments, we weren’t calculating enough.
“If we had been, I think we probably would have created a bit more. But credit to Luton, they got their result and we move forwards.”
Hatters chief RE felt his side were denied yet another clear-cut penalty for handball during last night’s 1-0 victory over Cardiff City. https://t.co/zznyR9Avab
— LutonNews_LTFC (@LutonNews_LTFC) November 7, 2024
Jacob Brown headed home Alfie Doughty’s 57th-minute corner to earn the Hatters a first win in four games.
It moved them above the Bluebirds, who came into the game on a six-match unbeaten run.
“To be undone with a set-play, which we know they’re strong at, was disappointing,” added Riza, who is hoping to succeed Erol Bulut..
“Overall the performance wasn’t too bad. I thought we controlled some big parts of the game, it just wasn’t quite there today.”
Riza was critical of referee Matt Donohue, who he accused of inconsistent decision-making.
“I wasn’t too happy with the officiating today if I’m being really honest,” he added.
“I thought it was quite one sided. I felt a lot of stuff given to them was really similar to what wasn’t given to us.
“I just couldn’t quite understand it at times. I tried to ask the question at half-time and it was difficult.
Omer Riza Moves Closer To Cardiff City Job After Further Talks
“That was disappointing for me, to come to a place like this and not be given, as far as I’m concerned, things that should have been given. That caused us even more of a problem.
“But well done to Luton. They managed to get a win against us today and the boys are disappointed which, for me, shows where we’ve come to at the moment.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards thought his side were worthy winners as they climbed out of the Championship relegation zone.
“I think we played well, but you can see Cardiff are playing well at the minute,” Edwards said.
“They’ve got a good rhythm, a confidence and belief there, the run that they’ve been on and some very good players as well.
“After the first 15 minutes or so where we didn’t quite arrive quick enough in some of the pressing, after that we got to grips with it.
“We won it back a lot and I think the game was where we wanted it to be. They might have had the ball a little bit but we’ve got to try and keep it as far away from our goal as possible, which we did.
“I think that we certainly had the majority of the momentum and the game was where we wanted it to take place, so I think we deserved the win, but it was a night where it was important.”
