Riza press conference today- the club is divided.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

I think he said expectations levels of the fans are unrealistic.

So it's not united between players coaches and fans as fans have too high expectations was what I thought he was trying to say.

We should be so lucky we're not bottom, as we will be under this clown.

[Pedro de la Rosa]

Agreed. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up next season.

There's nothing to suggest he's even a decent coach. Watford were God awful going forwards last season, and he was in charge of that. We were God awful when he was coach, and his management speaks for itself.

[superfeathers]

Those comments about the fans being clueless will become a big issue. It's picking up a lot of social media traction across the UK press.

He will have to do a statement backtracking tomorrow or be sacked.

It probably suits the hierarchy to have him become the bad guy tbh. No chance of him getting sacked for that

[Pedro de la Rosa]

It probably suits the hierarchy to have him become the bad guy tbh. No chance of him getting sacked for that

They can pin the blame on him, and they'll certainly try to rather than the massive, massive failings that have contributed to this mess

[Canton Kev]

That’s the comments of a man who knows he won’t be here next year.

Which ironically proves him right, as plenty of people were saying he would be regardless of what division we were in

These final 4 games will be… interesting. To say the least.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

You often hear fans claim certain managers have "lost the dressing room". It's an overused phrase, an assumption that poor results invariably lead to a division between the players and management, when in fact there isn't any such division.

Nevertheless, if you look at Riza's recent demeanor on the touchline - hands in pockets, sending subs on, but without putting a customary arm around them and not giving them any last minute instructions.
He's clearly lost the connection with the players. This was evident when he left the players out on the pitch against Stoke as he hastily went down the tunnel instead.
He doesn't shout out instructions anymore, he knows the players don't have belief in him.

[the other bob wilson]

You often hear fans claim certain managers have "lost the dressing room". It's an overused phrase, an assumption that poor results invariably lead to a division between the players and management, when in fact there isn't any such division.

Nevertheless, if you look at Riza's recent demeanor on the touchline - hands in pockets, sending subs on, but without putting a customary arm around them and not giving them any last minute instructions.
He's clearly lost the connection with the players. This was evident when he left the players out on the pitch against Stoke as he hastily went down the tunnel instead.
He doesn't shout out instructions anymore, he knows the players don't have belief in him.

Maybe he's lost faith in the players as well? I wouldn't blame him after what they've produced in the last four games.

[the other bob wilson]

A manager saying a club is divided going into the final stages of a season where relegation is looking more and more likely is a novel way of going about things - I can only assume that he means that the link between team and fans is broken, but, whatever he meant, it's hard to see how any good can come of it.

Just a couple of comments about matters that came up in. the press conference.

First, whether he meant it or not, Riza gave an impression that the supporters who follow the club away somehow "get" what is going on more than. other supporters of the club. It needs to be said that I'm sure there are plenty of City fans who don't go to away games who would be there following the club all over the country if they could afford it or if they did not have other things in their life which makes it impossible to go to away matches. I accept it's been different this season, but it must be said that in recent years, those who go to away games have tended get a lot more to cheer about than those who are limited to going to home games.

I don't blame managers like Riza for not knowing that in the last five seasons (including this one), City have won thirty eight league games at Cardiff City Stadium and lost fifty one. We've already lost ten times at home this season and this means that for rhe fourth successive time, our number of home defeats have madfe it into double figures. After all, he's only interested in what happens at any club while he's employed by them, but like so many of our recent bosses and players, he doesn't know that the crap we've had to watch at home this season has become par for the course in the 2020s. Those on the playing side at the club who bemoan the home support, as I'm sure some of them do, should think about that - "long suffering" doesn't cover the half of it.

Secondly, anmd on a similar theme, Riza clearly was not happy that the eight Cup Finals line we heard after the Blackburn win had become something of a joke. However, I'm afraid that's what you get when a team that is supposed to be battling for their lives turn in four performances like the ones we saw against Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Preston and, in particular, Stoke. For a while against Sheffield Wednesday we looked like a side that were confident of beating the drop and showed a bit of quality, we also kept on going to the end against Preston. Overall however, we've just not been good in terms of performance and attitude as a whole over our past four games and I'm afraid a lot of supporters, the majority of which only get to see the dross we've been producing at home over the past five years in the flesh are goiong to get cynical about all aspects of a club that seems to get so little right these days.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Does anyone else think he looks ill? I think the club have a duty of care to get him out of the firing line, especially with what happened to his father in January.

[Father Dougal]

Does anyone else think he looks ill? I think the club have a duty of care to get him out of the firing line, especially with what happened to his father in January.

Yeah it's not a comfortable watch is it and he doesn't look well.

I think the greatest insult and embarrassment to him if even when he is saying these things that would normally make people angry- in general people just feel sorry for him and pity him as he is so far out of his depth it's embarrassing.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Reminds me of Trollope in some ways - probably better as a coach but not a manager and a leader. Trollope overthought things and so has Riza.

Worse than Bulut, then you got there eventually; 12th is higher than 24th, 23rd, or 22nd.

Poor bugger has been out of his depth since day one, how you didn't see it God only knows.

A half-decent experienced manager would have us way up the table, and safe by now.

[Cleve van Leef]

A manager saying a club is divided going into the final stages of a season where relegation is looking more and more likely is a novel way of going about things - I can only assume that he means that the link between team and fans is broken, but, whatever he meant, it's hard to see how any good can come of it.

Just a couple of comments about matters that came up in. the press conference.

First, whether he meant it or not, Riza gave an impression that the supporters who follow the club away somehow "get" what is going on more than. other supporters of the club. It needs to be said that I'm sure there are plenty of City fans who don't go to away games who would be there following the club all over the country if they could afford it or if they did not have other things in their life which makes it impossible to go to away matches. I accept it's been different this season, but it must be said that in recent years, those who go to away games have tended get a lot more to cheer about than those who are limited to going to home games.

I don't blame managers like Riza for not knowing that in the last five seasons (including this one), City have won thirty eight league games at Cardiff City Stadium and lost fifty one. We've already lost ten times at home this season and this means that for rhe fourth successive time, our number of home defeats have madfe it into double figures. After all, he's only interested in what happens at any club while he's employed by them, but like so many of our recent bosses and players, he doesn't know that the crap we've had to watch at home this season has become par for the course in the 2020s. Those on the playing side at the club who bemoan the home support, as I'm sure some of them do, should think about that - "long suffering" doesn't cover the half of it.

Secondly, anmd on a similar theme, Riza clearly was not happy that the eight Cup Finals line we heard after the Blackburn win had become something of a joke. However, I'm afraid that's what you get when a team that is supposed to be battling for their lives turn in four performances like the ones we saw against Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Preston and, in particular, Stoke. For a while against Sheffield Wednesday we looked like a side that were confident of beating the drop and showed a bit of quality, we also kept on going to the end against Preston. Overall however, we've just not been good in terms of performance and attitude as a whole over our past four games and I'm afraid a lot of supporters, the majority of which only get to see the dross we've been producing at home over the past five years in the flesh are goiong to get cynical about all aspects of a club that seems to get so little right these days.

2020’s a complete reversal of the 1920’s.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Yesh I think we all thought we were coming bottom anyway but watching his body language and these comments I don't think we'll get anymore points now. That seems to be what he thinks also

You get the impression that for at least the last month he's almost offering himself up for the sack, a sort of 'put me out of this misery' situation. I'm sure he would have resigned if just given a nudge..

[Garth Blue]

Does anyone else think he looks ill? I think the club have a duty of care to get him out of the firing line, especially with what happened to his father in January.

I agree with this. I think he has been hung out to dry by the club leadership - happy for someone else to answer the difficult media questions. I know that the season has proved he did not have the experience and perhaps the character to succeed. But there was a brief period when we played some very attractive football and turned around an awful start under Bulut. But from the very beginning, the club has handled the management issue really poorly seeminging just keeping him hanging on a string. His constant tinkering is evidence of his gradual loss of confidence and now we see a broken man. Sad for him, depressing for us and shameful from the club.

[The Lone Gunman]

First, whether he meant it or not, Riza gave an impression that the supporters who follow the club away somehow "get" what is going on more than. other supporters of the club.

Here's what he said:

"They (the fans) will be there in their numbers. There is a really good core of supporters at this club. That's something I've learnt. They look at the game, don't profess to know everything about the game, but they understand what their main objective is - to support the players no matter what. When you have got fans like that, they are very important to the club and I've seen a lot of them away from home."

I'm amazed anyone has got any sympathy for this condescending clown. His air of superiority is hilarious considering he's clearly as thick as two short planks.

[Father Dougal]

Those comments about the fans being clueless will become a big issue. It's picking up a lot of social media traction across the UK press.

He will have to do a statement backtracking tomorrow or be sacked.

https://www.ccfctrust.org/

Trust issue a statement calling riza comments ""disrespectful"

I had a feeling this will really snowball.

Probably suits dalman and Tan though as it's all about Omer now.

I doubt either are clever enough to think of such a PR stroke but getting Omer out there to call the fans clueless would be a genius move to take attention away from them had they thought of it.

[North Cardiff Blue]

I agree with this. I think he has been hung out to dry by the club leadership - happy for someone else to answer the difficult media questions. I know that the season has proved he did not have the experience and perhaps the character to succeed. But there was a brief period when we played some very attractive football and turned around an awful start under Bulut. But from the very beginning, the club has handled the management issue really poorly seeminging just keeping him hanging on a string. His constant tinkering is evidence of his gradual loss of confidence and now we see a broken man. Sad for him, depressing for us and shameful from the club.

I agree — it's a really unfortunate situation. It seems like Riza may have been promoted before he had the necessary experience or support in place. Without the right level of coaching exposure and mentorship, it's incredibly difficult to succeed at that level. What's particularly tough to watch is how often he's been put in front of the media without any real training — it comes across as unfair and even a little cruel. Others've struggled for years with far more experience, so the expectation placed on him seems disproportionate

[Father Dougal]

Here's what he said:

"They (the fans) will be there in their numbers. There is a really good core of supporters at this club. That's something I've learnt. They look at the game, don't profess to know everything about the game, but they understand what their main objective is - to support the players no matter what. When you have got fans like that, they are very important to the club and I've seen a lot of them away from home."

I'm amazed anyone has got any sympathy for this condescending clown. His air of superiority is hilarious considering he's clearly as thick as two short planks.

The signs were absolutely there as soon as bulut left and his bizarre comments about how much he wanted the job and backed himself. Unbelievable arrogance. Extremely unusual approach for someone of his (lack of) pedigree.

When it all went wrong as it was always going to- it was always going to end like this- with him hitting out at everyone apart from himself.

He's been at the players for a while publically now. Maybe understandable but he's on to the fans now. Who's next in his firing line?

[Eric the Half a Bee]

By all accounts a team in the top half of the league in wage bill, transfer spend and agent fees, if the various sources are to be believed.

Mind you, that doesn't always equate to success. Teams with larger wage bills have gone down from the Championship and other divisions, while sides with more modest ones have been successful. While there's an element of "you get what you pay for" in football, there's much more going on than just the players themselves. For what Tan has spent over the years, we should be nowhere near the bottom of the Championship. This isn't just on Riza, but successive managers, a generally awful record in the transfer market and, most relevantly, a board and owner with the footballing knowledge of a pubic louse with brain damage.

I have a certain amount of sympathy for Riza, not because I think he's any good, but I fear that we've been shoveling water out of our leaky dinghy for years. Riza is in charge of the lifeboat as it's about to capsize. Anyone better might have applied a few more sticking plasters to keep us afloat a little longer, but the end of life in the Championship has been nigh for some time.

[Father Dougal]

Mind you, that doesn't always equate to success. Teams with larger wage bills have gone down from the Championship and other divisions, while sides with more modest ones have been successful. While there's an element of "you get what you pay for" in football, there's much more going on than just the players themselves. For what Tan has spent over the years, we should be nowhere near the bottom of the Championship. This isn't just on Riza, but successive managers, a generally awful record in the transfer market and, most relevantly, a board and owner with the footballing knowledge of a pubic louse with brain damage.

I have a certain amount of sympathy for Riza, not because I think he's any good, but I fear that we've been shoveling water out of our leaky dinghy for years. Riza is in charge of the lifeboat as it's about to capsize. Anyone better might have applied a few more sticking plasters to keep us afloat a little longer, but the end of life in the Championship has been nigh for some time.

I saw man united spent £660 million under ten haag alone. Yet lower mid table side now. Had they won the league people would say was meaningless as they had bought the league and of course they'd be successful spending that much money.

Similar to cardiff in that however much man u or cardiff spent- both would still be crap.

There's many reasons cardiff are going down- the club spending money on players, wages, agents fees etc is way down the list.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

I saw man united spent £660 million under ten haag alone. Yet lower mid table side now. Had they won the league people would say was meaningless as they had bought the league and of course they'd be successful spending that much money.

Similar to cardiff in that however much man u or cardiff spent- both would still be crap.

There's many reasons cardiff are going down- the club spending money on players, wages, agents fees etc is way down the list.

Good analogy

[TheBirchgrovePub]

I agree with this. I think he has been hung out to dry by the club leadership - happy for someone else to answer the difficult media questions. I know that the season has proved he did not have the experience and perhaps the character to succeed. But there was a brief period when we played some very attractive football and turned around an awful start under Bulut. But from the very beginning, the club has handled the management issue really poorly seeminging just keeping him hanging on a string. His constant tinkering is evidence of his gradual loss of confidence and now we see a broken man. Sad for him, depressing for us and shameful from the club.

I'm not sure I'd say he's been hung out to dry. I think a lot of it is self inflicted - I do not like him, the way he talks and the way he conducts himself but I do have sympathy for him losing his father and having to carry on in the biggest job of his life - but more from a wellbeing point of view as to me he looks very unwell in general, not just the stresses of football.

A friend of mine is an Orient fan and stated it went the same way as at Orient for him, eventually turning on fans and slating the club's hierarchy when they didn't give him the job. I'm sure he is planning on selling to Tan why he is the man to bring us back to the Championship.

[Father Dougal]

I'm not sure I'd say he's been hung out to dry. I think a lot of it is self inflicted - I do not like him, the way he talks and the way he conducts himself but I do have sympathy for him losing his father and having to carry on in the biggest job of his life - but more from a wellbeing point of view as to me he looks very unwell in general, not just the stresses of football.

A friend of mine is an Orient fan and stated it went the same way as at Orient for him, eventually turning on fans and slating the club's hierarchy when they didn't give him the job. I'm sure he is planning on selling to Tan why he is the man to bring us back to the Championship.

He only had 7 games with orient and lost 5 of those.

Anyone know how it ended for him at cheshunt in 2014 (his only previous managerial job)? Unbelievably his record there was even worse than it has been at cardiff with a win record of 24.49%. His cardiff win record is 25.64%.

Yet its the fans who are clueless.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

He only had 7 games with orient and lost 5 of those.

Anyone know how it ended for him at cheshunt in 2014 (his only previous managerial job)? Unbelievably his record there was even worse than it has been at cardiff with a win record of 24.49%. His cardiff win record is 25.64%.

Yet its the fans who are clueless.

It's odd really. Practically everyone involved in professional football knows what football message boards are like. I suspect 80% of them have supporters slagging off the manager, players and directors. The bit that Riza doesn't grasp is that when it comes to matchday everyone is 100% behind the club. The only sign of dissent/unrest I've heard this season is at the end of the Stoke game.

[Father Dougal]

It's odd really. Practically everyone involved in professional football knows what football message boards are like. I suspect 80% of them have supporters slagging off the manager, players and directors. The bit that Riza doesn't grasp is that when it comes to matchday everyone is 100% behind the club. The only sign of dissent/unrest I've heard this season is at the end of the Stoke game.

Indeed. And if a manager thought football forums or Facebook comments were a useful place to get some additional tactical insights we'd all be even more worried!!

Of course they are full of nonsense.

As I say it's an interesting tactic to get everyone on side though. He was asking for help from fans the day before!