Riza says he's overseen big Cardiff improvement and has no regrets over decision (original) (raw)

Omer Riza believes his Cardiff City team have made huge strides under his leadership but does not regret making the tactical change which ultimately led to Bristol City's equaliser at Ashton Gate.

Cardiff have lost one, won one and now drawn one under Riza's stewardship, with the latter coming in the Severnside derby at Ashton Gate on Sunday afternoon.

Cardiff took the lead through an Ollie Tanner stunner, but Riza changed formation by bringing Jesper Daland on to form a five-at-the-back formation, which seemed to invite pressure on to visitors' back line instead of going for the jugular.

But interim boss Riza believes the improvement is clear for all to see, with Cardiff taking four points from their two games this week.

"To go 1-0 up again is a good thing, a positive," Riza said. "Three games played and we have been up three times. We were very close to getting three points but fell short a little bit in respect of the chances we could have scored to alleviate pressure and also clearing the lines at the right time, not to allow balls into the box, could have been better.

"I think the boys are deflated because the result was in the palm of our hands. It's four points from six in the last two games, which can only be a positive moving forwards.

"Ollie is capable of that. We have boys capable of striking the ball well and he has come in off that right-hand side and it's a lovely strike. He needs a bit of consistency in his game, but it's a beautiful goal.

"I think the message for me is that we are a team, a squad. We have players in the building who all want to play but you've got to earn the shirt and keep the shirt. Ollie's last couple of performances have warranted that.

"I'm not sure if it's confidence, we have just got to be better. We are professional players. Some of these opportunities, it's not like they are half chances, either. But we are creating these opportunities and that's the positive for me.

"We have created opportunities in the Hull game, in the Millwall game and here at Bristol. Now it's about putting the ball in the back of the net. I've said about alleviating pressure, we could have scored two or three goals."

About the tactical change specifically, Riza said: "It's our third game in seven days and the boys were getting tired. We felt there were pockets opening up in the middle of the pitch and we needed to make the changes to seal that. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

"We had Daland on the bench who has come back from injury and is a centre-half who's dominant in the air. We brought Callum on the left side because we thought players were getting tired. We went to a 5-4-1 if you like. We just didn't stop enough of the crosses into the box.

"The goal has only come from us not clearing properly and it's dropped in and they've scored off the back of it. We stopped one element, but not the other. Do I regret it? No, I don't regret it. Because I feel sometimes, in the position we are in at the moment, we need to make sure we come away with a point today. We could have potentially lost the game and come away with nothing.

"It's a good point. Yes, I am a front-footed, attack-minded coach, on another day I'd maybe like to go for it a little bit more, but where we are at, at the moment, I think it was the right thing to do."

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It is exactly a fortnight since Cardiff parted ways with previous boss Erol Bulut following a winless start which saw the Bluebirds pick up only one point from their first six games.

CEO Ken Choo, chairman Mehmet Dalman and owner Vincent Tan will likely make a more permanent decision over the course of the two-week international break, with Riza's name still in the mix.

When asked if he had talks planned with the hierarchy, Riza replied: "Not at the moment, not that I'm aware of. I'm sure Ken, Mehmet and Mr Tan will call me and we will have a chat about how the game went and whether it was positive or negative and we will continue to make strides - like we have.

"From where we've come in the last two weeks to now, you can see a difference in our out-of-possession work and in our attacking play, with the opportunities and chances we've created. And that's in limited time. I can only praise the players for everything they've taken on board, they've been excellent. The staff have been excellent. Great to have 2,500 fans to come to Bristol and support the boys.

"Shame we didn't come away with three points but I don't think we are in a bad place considering where we have come from to where we are now.

"I don't really want to answer questions about whether I've done enough anymore. I think it's plain to see that I am able to lead a team and a staff and do what I've been doing, with all the processes I've put in place over a short period of time. It's up to the club, whatever they choose, I'm professional and I'll take whatever decision they make.

"I know I'm ready to become a head coach. Whether it's at Cardiff is something I can't control. I am professional. If someone comes into the club and they want me to work with them, then I'm here, I've got a contract until the end of the season. I'm sure the board will talk with me. A manager might come in with their own staff, that's another thing the board will have to deal with.

"But I've had to deal with problems and situations like this before at Watford and Leyton Orient, so I am ready to deal with whatever situation there is."

Riza was wary of the backlash when asked if he wanted the job, however, adding: "I feel like every time I speak about it I get negative [comments]. Of course I want the job. This is why I've worked so hard, to become a Championship head coach.

"I've worked so hard for this opportunity, I'm never going to say I don't want it, because I know I'm ready for the opportunity. I'm passionate and work hard and I'm experienced in what I do.

"So, of course I do. But it's not down to me, it's up to the owner and the board to come up with the right decision with what is best for the club, that's really all I can say on it."