Cardiff City manager Omer Riza delivered a scathing critique of his players following their 2-0 home defeat to Preston on Wednesday night.
The loss extended the Bluebirds’ winless streak to six matches and left Riza visibly frustrated as his side struggled to produce the intensity needed to turn their form around.
The newly-appointed manager, who recently transitioned from caretaker to permanent boss until the end of the season, expressed his disappointment with the lack of energy and quality shown during the match. Cardiff conceded two second-half goals and failed to capitalize on opportunities, leaving the fans and the coaching staff questioning the team’s commitment and execution.
‘Not Good Enough’ Performance
Speaking after the match, Riza didn’t hold back:
“We trained Sunday, Monday, Tuesday—it was enough to be ready for this game. It was just men against boys today. Not unfortunate, just not good enough.”
The manager emphasized the need for players to step up, especially when given opportunities.
“Players want to play, they show frustrations when they’re not playing, and when they do play, they’ve got to do more. We can’t keep going this way; it’s not good enough,” he added.
Cardiff’s issues were evident across the pitch, with Riza criticizing the team’s lack of quality in possession and energy on the ball.
“We didn’t show quality in possession and were scared to get on the ball. The energy and intensity weren’t good enough. Too many people were waiting for things to happen rather than making them happen,” he noted.
Cardiff’s Battle to Turn the Tide
Currently teetering near the Championship’s relegation zone, Cardiff face a crucial test on Saturday as they travel to Stoke City. Riza called for an immediate response:
“We have to talk, get out on the grass, work, and apply those principles again to ensure they’re ready to go for the next game. You can’t think about this performance for too long because it will carry into the next game.”
Despite the loss, Riza stressed the importance of focusing on performances and not becoming fixated on the league table.
“You win a couple, you’re back out of problems; you lose a couple, you’re back in problems. It’s about performances and winning games, and we did neither today,” he concluded.
Writer’s View
Riza’s frustration is understandable given Cardiff’s recent struggles, but his blunt assessment highlights deeper issues within the squad. While his honesty could serve as a wake-up call for the players, it’s crucial that the manager balances criticism with solutions to rebuild morale and confidence.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
