Riza 'can't do more' to get permanent Cardiff job

Omer Riza joined Cardiff City's coaching staff from Watford this summer

Cardiff City interim manager Omer Riza believes he has done all he can to get the job on a permanent basis, but knows his team must sustain their improved form.

In his four matches in charge since Erol Bulut was sacked last month, Riza has led Cardiff to their only two league wins of the season, moving them off the bottom of the Championship table.

Having managed only four goals in their previous nine games, the Bluebirds thrashed Plymouth Argyle 5-0 on Saturday to further enhance Riza’s prospects of getting the job permanently.

“We can’t do any more than go out there, play and win. The boys have done that,” he said.

“We’ve beaten Millwall, we’ve drawn with Bristol City, won against Plymouth and we’ve got Portsmouth on Tuesday, which we want to win. We want to win every game. Whether we do or not, that’s down to the performance of the opposition and the performance of us.

“I’m trying not to think too much about it. If I do things the right way, treat people the right way, I’ll get my rewards further down the line, whenever that is. If it comes, it comes. If it doesn’t come here, it will come somewhere. I’ll just keep working hard.

“The proof is in the pudding and you’ve got to do it out on the pitch. The players have been excellent. It’s been coming and now it has to continue. It can’t be a one-off.”

When Cardiff sacked Bulut last month, club bosses had hoped to have his permanent successor in place before October’s international break.

But that window of opportunity has been and gone and, with Championship fixtures coming regularly, Riza is set to have at least another couple of matches to audition for the job.

Portsmouth visit Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday while a trip to high-flying West Bromwich Albion follows next Saturday.

Riza has made no secret of the fact he would like to be appointed permanently and, having previously said he was “hopeful” that would happen, the former Watford coach spoke to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan on Saturday.

"I spoke to him before the game. We had a good call on the telephone, he was really calm,” said Riza.

“He asked me if we could get as many shots off as we can! It's important to get as many shots off as we can. I get it. I understand. But at the same time the opposition don't want us to shoot, but with 10 men it made it a little bit easier for us today. We will always try to do that.

"But he has been good. Ken [Choo, chief executive] and Mehmet [Dalman, chairman] have been good. We are always in conversation. I am just trying to do the best I can do."