Riza makes case for Cardiff job – but what do experts say?

Omer Riza says he has not had any indication of how long he will remain interim manager at Cardiff City.

Riza stepped up from his role as assistant to take temporary charge of the Bluebirds after Erol Bulut was sacked last month.

Cardiff remain bottom of the Championship, but the 1-1 draw with Bristol City made it four points from the 44-year-old’s three games at the helm.

Riza says he does not know if he will be still in the dug-out for Cardiff’s next fixture when they welcome Plymouth Argyle on 21 October, with indications the club would be keen to appoint a permanent boss during this international break.

But what do the experts say? And what has Riza himself said following his three fixtures as interim boss?

Speaking following his side's draw with Bristol City, Riza commented: “I’ve had no indication of what will happen.

"I’ve spoken with (CEO) Ken Choo, (chairman) Mehmet Dalman and (owner) Vincent Tan a few times in respect of keep doing the job, make sure the boys are ready and I think we’ve done that.

“I think there’s been a massive shift in the way we’re performing, I don’t think anyone can deny that.

“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 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.”

Riza said he was wary of continuing to say he wanted the job because of “negative” reaction over his comments, but others have had their say on the former Watford coach’s chances.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, former Cardiff centre-back Jason Perry felt there were plenty of plus points for the Bluebirds following their 1-1 draw with Bristol City, although he says Riza will rue his tactical changes that allowed the Robins back into the contest.

"There’s a lot more positives about Cardiff now than negatives," said Perry.

"I think Omer Riza will question himself after going to a back five because from then on Cardiff invited pressure and couldn’t keep the ball away. I don’t know why he made the substitutions."

He added: "I think he may have overthought it. He may have so much wanted to prove that ‘I’m the man’ he felt he needed to show he’s willing to change things to try and help his team get all three points.

"Later on in the game I get it, but not at that stage when you’re on top.

"But I will applaud him for the first-half and how they came out for the second but deep down he’ll be kicking himself.

"They’ve definitely taken a step forward."

Ex-Wales striker Iwan Roberts was in attendance at Ashton Gate as the Bluebirds claimed a point against Liam Manning's side.

And while Roberts feels Cardiff have improved under interim manager Riza, he does not feel the Londoner will land the job on a full-time basis.

"I was in Hull and it looked like a very bad loss, but the attacking side was a lot better compared to their opening six games," Roberts told Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"The performances have improved. They beat Millwall in midweek, kept a clean sheet for the first time in 12 games.

"They weren't great against Bristol City. They had a slow start to the game but they grew into it, then Ollie Tanner put them ahead with a great goal.

"But the same old defensive weaknesses, Luke McNally heading Bristol City level, but they have improved in the three games under Omer Riza, four points from the three games.

"Those running the club, they've got a big decision to make. Are they going to give the job to Omer Riza on a full-time basis? I don't think so.

"I don't think he's quite done enough to get the job on a full-time basis."

Having collected four of the nine points on offer as well as obvious improvements against the likes of Hull, Millwall and Bristol City, former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw is in no doubt that Cardiff have improved under Riza.

But the former Cardiff frontman believes Riza faces fierce competition for the job, adding that the club's hierarchy must be clear on the brand of football they want the Bluebirds to play before making an appointment.

“I think it looks better but it's not about results, what we have to look at it’s not about ‘oh we won in midweek and we drew and it’s four points in a week’, well yeah, but you’ve got to think of a long term project," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Is this the right man and who is the right man to take us into the next one or two years? It’s not ‘oh we won this week’ or ‘we played better’, no, no, no, it’s about how do we want our football club to be, what type of football do we want to see every week, what type of team and fight and heart and all of those things that we want to see.

"I think he’s done ok, much, much better and I can see improvements but listen, there’s going to be about five or six names I’d imagine as well as him in that hat.”

"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," he added.

"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."