Cardiff City found themselves plunged into the bottom three on Wednesday night when Derby made it four wins in a row and now manager Omer Riza claims beating the dreaded drop will be like winning a cup final.
You have to go back to 2003 for the last time the Bluebirds played in the third tier and this is the third season in the last four they have found themselves flirting with relegation.
Riza’s side head to QPR this weekend for the first of ‘seven cup finals’ to round off another disappointing campaign.
“We’ve been in this predicament for quite some time and surviving now would be like winning a cup final,” said Riza.
“The pressures are there and you either sink or swim, and I want us to make sure we swim.
“If you look at a game when you dominate but fall behind, you celebrate a draw like you’ve won the game but really you could have won it. It’s the same with this to a certain extent.
“There’s a lot riding on it, the history of the club, the players themselves, what they can lose, what the club can lose, what we can lose as staff, as fans. We understand all of this.
“I’ve got full confidence in my players, I’ve got full confidence in my staff, I’ve got full confidence in the club and what we’ve done so far to get out of this situation.
“I’ve also got full confidence in our fans to keep doing what they’ve been doing all season - and I’ve got full confidence in myself to make sure we get out of this situation.”
With four points from a possible six in their last two games at least the Bluebirds are picking up points, although they were beaten 2-0 at home by QPR when they met in the first half of the season.
That was part of a run of nine games without a win in November and December.
READ MORE: Omer Riza Points To Cardiff City’s Mentality As Reason For Dropped Points
Riza already has club captain Joe Ralls and former Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey ruled out for the rest of the season and he won’t have Perry Ng available for the Loftus Road clash because of an injury picked up in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home against Sheffield Wednesday.
But winger Ollie Tanner has shared his relief and excitement after making his return to the pitch following more than two months out with a knee injury.
The 22-year-old made his comeback off the bench during the Bluebirds’ 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, marking the end of his first major injury spell.
"I was buzzing to get back on the field last week. It was my first long-term injury. It was really frustrating," he admitted.
Tanner opened up about the emotional and physical toll the injury had taken, describing how it left him feeling distant from the rest of the group.
"You feel really isolated and away from the boys," he explained.
"You train on your own, do gym work on your own and it's a tough time. But it's part of the game – you get injured and you have to live with it."
With just seven matches left in the campaign and Cardiff still entrenched in the relegation battle, Tanner’s return comes at a crucial time for Riza’s side.
READ MORE: QPR v Cardiff City
Tanner is under no illusions about walking straight back into the starting XI. He also praised team-mate Isaak Davies, who has recently returned to form after his own injury woes.
"The boys are playing well and I'm buzzing for Isaak," Tanner said.
"He's one of my good mates and he's scored a couple of goals. After his injuries, I told him 'I take off my hat to you because, given the amount of time you were out injured, you stayed strong'."
He also welcomed the competition for places as a positive factor in the team’s push for survival.
"The competition can only be a good thing because, in the position we're in at the moment, we need everyone firing," he added.
"As frustrating as it is for me, if those boys are playing well and we win games, then I don't mind."
With Cardiff still in the drop zone, Tanner’s energy and enthusiasm could be vital in the club’s mission to stay in the Championship.
