Riza's first press conference and first team selection

[North Cardiff Blue]

This is going to be very interesting to hear what he has to say, and who his first team will be, any thoughts on the team and he will be in and who will be out?

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

This is going to be very interesting to hear what he has to say, and who his first team will be, any thoughts on the team and he will be in and who will be out?

It's started making big changes apparently!

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-press-conference-live-30012411

Will we see a reaction?
I think so. Everyone goes out and performs to the best of their ability, sometimes they just don’t do it. But I think the players will attack it. It’s been a really good week. Everyone is aware of what’s needed and we can hopefully approach it attack-minded.

Riza

What can we expect to see on Saturday?
I’m an attack-minded coach. Making sure we have bodies in areas to be able to attack and cause problems to the opposition. Not being stationary, always on the move, an element of control of the game and looking to really try to hurt the opposition.

Riza


What’s it like as interim, do you change much?
We’ve not had the results we’ve wanted so there has to be a certain element of change. Whether that’s the players or the system. That approach, this week we have worked on it so there is a change at the end of the week. We always know when things like this happen there is an element of a bounce back from the players. They’ve all been buoyant and front-footed in terms of coming forward for information. The energy has been really high. Training sessions have been motivated, we are in a good place.

Riza


Lack of goalscorers, how will that change?
I don’t want to divulge too much, but the attacking mind of me as a coach and how I want to approach the game, that’s how we will approach the game. We haven’t got enough bodies in forward areas over the last six games and we’ve been timid with our pressing. It still has to have an element of structure, but hopefully the way we are approaching the game out of possession it will give us good numbers going forward and hopefully we will create more chances and score more goals from that.

Riza

Divergence of opinion with you and Erol?
When you’re a first-team coach you give your feedback about how things should go but the manager always makes the final decisions. We have had chances, not loads of chances. But we had conversations, respectful conversations, and the manager makes the final decision.

Riza

Fans?
When I was a player, I loved it when you got the fans off their seats. That’s what it’s about. Feeling like they get an element of excitement. They’ll have to wait and see on Saturday. Hopefully everyone will leave happy

Riza

Players feel a new start?
There’s a fresh approach there, they can see what we’re trying to do. The character and application of players - they want to do well.

Riza

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

Let the brakes off?
There has to be a structure and a strategy to what you’re doing. Because teams will pick you off. Attacking mentality and create more chances - doing that is by potentially playing a new system and allowing freedom to create and score those opportunities.

Riza

Training changes
“There’s been an element of aggression in respect of training session, an element of making sure you are doing your job properly, duelling around the pitch. I think we’ve lacked duelling in games. Strategy and tactics, we’ve been working on them today.”

Riza


What’s the staff situation?
“We’ve got Tom Ramasut with us. We’ve had the under-21s coaches with us as well making sure we’ve had enough coaches around. In general we’ve had the normal staff around the building. That’s it really, no-one else.”

Riza


Meetings with players/leadership group
“Every meeting has been really positive. The leadership group has been positive in respect of listening, taking on board what’s been asked and giving answers on what could be improved. The staff have all been really good, working tirelessly. There’s no change there. Just that togetherness, making sure we do our jobs properly and everyone mucking in. It’s been really positive.”

Riza

Morale
“You want the boys to be ready for the weekend and you want to build confidence levels. All those things we’ve spoken about. There’s been some tough conversations with players in terms of the approach to the game. They’re all in a good place.”

Riza

Lack of pace
“That’s not an easy thing to address. We’ve got players in the team who have pace, players who are powerful and players who are technically good so it’s about finding a balance. I think we’ve hopefully found some solutions to help with that, bodies in certain areas of the pitch.”

Riza

Team news
“Yak’s been back in training this week, starting on Monday, and he’s looked strong, looked vibrant.

“Callum Robinson was training anyway, trained this week as well. He’s fit.”

Riza

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

Players' revolt?
“No, not at all. All the players worked very hard and tried to do everything that was asked of them, as the staff did. With Erol, Niko and Mario, who’ve left the club, everyone worked tirelessly to get the results we needed. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out.

“No-one downed tools. Everyone worked hard. When you’re off form, it might look that way but not at all.”

Riza

Erol
“I spoke to Erol a few times via text messages. He’s busy sorting a few things out you need to sort out when you leave a club. He’s in a good place.”

Riza


How long in charge?
I am just focusing on Saturday. I am just focusing on getting the boys ready for each fixture. I have worked really hard over the course of my playing and coaching career to get to this point. We have a really good togetherness. Hopefully we will approach the game positively.

Riza
Stake your claim for full-time job?
I thought this would come up! I have worked really hard. I had a really good playing career, I played for 17 years. I’ve been managed by some great coaches, Don Howe, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp, not to mention the coaches I’ve played under abroad. Culturally, I have learnt a lot as a coach. As a coach, I have worked in academy football, with youngsters and players throughout the leagues. I have worked non-League, grassroots, a first-team coach, head coach at Leyton Orient. I’ve done the groundwork and I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. I’m ready to take on whatever challenges are in front of me.

Riza

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

Sounds like he's saying he wanted Bulut to do things differently. Interesting to see what that means on Saturday. He clearly wants the job permanently.

[Carl Dale's Mole]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

“Callum Robinson was training anyway, trained this week as well. He’s fit.”


So he just wasn't picked?

Despite Kanga being shit and no strikers on the bench?

Huh.

[Grangenders]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

I guess Tan has been on the phone and told him to make big changes and play more attacking football

[Carl Dale's Mole]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

I guess Tan has been on the phone and told him to make big changes and play more attacking football

Alnwick hat-trick incoming :ayatollah:

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

I see he denied there was a players revolt. where would be without the fearless press asking the questions others were too scared to ask - as if he was going to answer “yes about twelve of them had downed tools” :hehe:

[Former Labour leader]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

Looks like Robinson's absence last couple of games was a convenience, not an injury.

[Trigger]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

So did Erol bring Riza in or the club as the two coaches he brought in with him initially have also left.

It's all set up for Riza to get the gig for the foreseeable as we know how nonchalant we are with these things.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

I see he denied there was a players revolt. where would be without the fearless press asking the questions others were too scared to ask - as if he was going to answer “yes about twelve of them had downed tools” :hehe:

..as per. Mandy Rice-Davies...

[Rjk]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

pretty positive answers, let's see how that translates onto the pitch

[Hilts]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

Robinson being fit is huge. Hopefully he stays fit. Otherwise has to be Reindorf or Ashford.

I hope he pairs Fish and Goutas until Daaland is fit.

Also Robertson in please.

[ccfcwelshlad]

Re: Riza's first press conference and first team selection

So did Erol bring Riza in or the club as the two coaches he brought in with him initially have also left.

It's all set up for Riza to get the gig for the foreseeable as we know how nonchalant we are with these things.

He was brought in by the club, he replaced one of Bulut's men in the summer.

The other coach who Erol brought in left with him earlier in the week. Only person left on staff that Erol had a hand in is the keeper coach I believe.