Omer Riza posts statement and Cardiff City reveal loan transfer strategy (original) (raw)

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, October 9.

Riza: I'm grateful whatever the outcome

Interim head coach Omer Riza has posted a statement of reflection on social media and says he is "grateful" for the opportunity which has been presented to him.

It is understood that the club are at ease with Riza at the helm as they pore over a list of prospective candidates to succeed Erol Bulut on a permanent basis.

There are managers that they like. Slaven Bilic is one, however he is unavailable until January, while Ruben Selles at Reading has his backers, too. There are younger names also in the mix, however they are seen as gambles and with Cardiff in a precarious position — specifically bottom of the table — whether Vincent Tan will want to roll the dice on any of them remains to be seen. Some other, bigger profile names of available managers appear to have underwhelmed both fans and the decision-makers at Cardiff, too.

A situation could transpire that a manager is appointed in the next couple of days, however it appears more likely that this could drag on longer and the possibility of Riza resuming charge after the international break is certainly on the table.

Riza, who appears to have deactivated his X account post the 1-1 draw with Bristol City, has made clear his desire to be given the keys, but also seems to be at peace with whatever the outcome of this recruitment process is.

"When you have worked so hard for something all your life, and those that know, know what it is and what you have been through to get there and the experiences along the way that you have endured," Riza wrote on LinkedIn.

"It means so much more when you know what it means to others also, you give your life to your work and the sacrifices along the way, the people around you miss so much of your time. We love what we do, it means more than anything to make others happy and make others thrive.

"Hardship and adversity makes us who we are in the relentlessness to be the best for those around us to have the moments they deserve.

"I am grateful for this opportunity that I have been given by the owner, club, players, staff and fans whatever the outcome."

Club reveal loan transfer strategy

Cardiff want a first team full of "home-grown talent" in years to come and hope their new loan policy will enable them to do that.

The Bluebirds' loan strategy in times gone by has been questioned. For too long, the club's young players were unable to gain valuable senior experience and it saw their progression stunted, meaning few home-grown products ever made it into the first team.

But club chiefs believe that recent loan successes have put Cardiff "on the map" and now other teams' scouts are actively recruiting some of the Bluebirds' young and fringe players. It might seem pie-in-the-sky stuff, but according to first-team coach Tom Ramasut, the dream is to have a first XI packed full of Cardiff kids.

Ramasut said in a recent match-day programme: "In the past we've had to work really hard to get some of the players out on loan because other clubs maybe didn't recognise the wealth of talent that we have in our academy. Now that we've had players like Eli King, Isaak Davies and Joel Bagan go out and help their teams — even in cases where it's been in other countries — clubs in different divisions are looking to us, sending scouts to watch and requesting players who can join them on loan.

"Certainly, those young players have put the club on the map, where we're seen to offer opportunities for academy players to go out on loan. That's a huge thing for us, as we can send more players out, improve them and hopefully see more step into the first team in the near future.

"Our aim now is to allow these players the time to achieve their potential and hopefully break into the first team. With our loan strategy we're trying to achieve a first team full of home-grown talent in years to come, but they need the time to achieve that potential. It is a new vision and direction by the club and hopefully by doing tis we will see our work come to fruition in the years to come."

Cardiff currently have six players out on loan — Joel Colwill (Cheltenham Town), Eli King (Stevenage), Kieron Evans (Newport County), Malachi Fagan-Walcott (York City), Raheem Conte (Woking) and Roko Simic (KV Kortrijk) — and fans were clear when they voiced their lack of enthusiasm for some of those transfers in the summer window. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

Many believe the above six should either be playing a far higher standard or should even be in contention for first-team involvement already. However, academy head Gavin Chesterfield said: "We've got a very specific loan strategy. For example, if we know that a centre-back needs work in more physical area, or dealing with direct play, then there's an element of finding somewhere that will really help with his growth in that key element. It's about matching what the player needs with the opportunity that's in front of them.

"Loan opportunities for our younger players is an extremely competitive market and all clubs across the country recognise the value that loan experiences can give to players. I feel that we have moved forward wit the quality of loans that we're able to get now compared to previously.

"We look at getting these moves in place well in advance, with a focus on player pathways. We want to make sure that the opportunity is there for our best players, and to keep the pathway open following a loan."

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Robinson: Let's kick on

Cardiff forward Callum Robinson has urged the club to kick on after a positive week saw them yield four points from two games.

The Republic of Ireland international has grown to become the club's standout striker, having endured a rough season last year owing to injury issues and being played in a different position.

But given Cardiff's horrendous track record of striker signings in recent years — their eight striker signings since the beginning of the 2022/23 season have yielded just 38 goals in 237 games — Robinson's own tally of netting goals in the Championship should see him get a run of games up top if he can stay fit.

He has been omitted from the Ireland squad for their upcoming double header, which will be a blessed relief to interim boss Omer Riza and the club's chiefs, who will hope Robinson can kick on himself after the international break.

"A lot of positives to take from last week," Robinson, who has two goals for City this year, wrote on social media. "Now it’s time to rest up and kick on after the break.

"Really enjoyed being back out there with the boys, let’s keep it going."