Cardiff boss Riza calls for fans' 'help'

Cardiff manager Omer Riza was appointed on a deal until the end of the season in December having been in caretaker charge since September

Manager Omer Riza has called for "help" from Cardiff City fans as the Bluebirds aim to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke means Cardiff are in the relegation zone with four games of the season remaining.

Riza and his players were met with boos from fans at the final whistle.

"Regarding our fans, I think they were behind us for a lot of the game and when you've let a goal in on 85-90 minutes it's expected that the hope goes from them and the only way they know to deal with it is to vent their frustration," said Riza.

"All we can keep saying is that they're important to us, the club is important to them, so they need to help the best they can. They are frustrated, I understand that.

"It's hard for me to stand here and say what they should and shouldn't do because who am I to tell them what their feelings are? All I can say is we're trying our hardest and we all will continue to do that right to the end."

Cardiff, who are one point off safety, return to action at promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Friday.

They then host Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion before finishing their campaign at Norwich City.

Riza's team were unbeaten in four games - though three of those were draws - before losing to fellow strugglers Stoke.

Cardiff have not won since a 2-1 triumph at Blackburn on 15 March, which was their only success in the past eight league games.

"It's been really tough for the players. I think some of the mistakes and some of the things we're doing at the moment are [under-] 21s levels at times and we need to try and sort it out as best we can, but the players have got to keep fighting," added Riza.

"There are 12 points [to compete for] and we've got games in front of us like every other team.

"If you haven't got belief then what have you got? We have to keep fighting and there are four games to take points from."