Cardiff City

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Cardiff City face one of the Championship's most-out-of-form sides on Wednesday night (19:45 GMT kick-off) when fellow strugglers Preston North End visit.

Paul Heckingbottom's side are winless in their last 10 games, having not tasted victory since beating Coventry City on 19 October.

Even more encouragingly for Cardiff fans, Preston are yet to register a single away win in the Championship this season.

The Lilywhites have drawn their last four matches, the most recent 1-1 at Hillsborough on Saturday, when they were 14 minutes away from their first win on the road before Sheffield Wednesday equalised.

Based on form in the last five games, though, Cardiff's record is worse - the Bluebirds have picked up two points in five while Preston have earned four.

Three points over Preston would be the perfect way for Cardiff boss Omer Riza to celebrate getting the manager's job until the end of the season.

The first opportunity to do that was lost when the impact of Storm Darragh forced the postponement of Saturday's home game against Watford.

Riza's side have not won since beating Norwich 2-1 on 2 November.

Only goal difference keeps Cardiff outside the relegation zone, while Preston are two points and four places above the Bluebirds in 17th.

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Midfielder Kieron Evans says he is encouraged that Cardiff City boss Omer Riza has been in touch during his loan spell at Newport County.

Evans is on a season-long loan at Rodney Parade after signing a new one-year deal with the Bluebirds in the summer.

The 22-year-old has made 10 League Two starts for County, and Riza - now Cardiff's permanent manager until the end of the season - has been keeping tabs on him.

"I've spoken to Omer, he's been in contact a few times," said Evans.

"I had a good relationship with him anyway when I was at Cardiff. It's nice to hear him asking me how I'm doing and stuff like that.

"He's a good bloke, keeping an eye on me to see how I'm doing."

Brithdir-product Evans played on loan at National League outfit Gateshead last season, having previously had a spell at Torquay United. He has five league appearances to his name for the Bluebirds.

He made a second-half substitute's appearance in Cardiff's 2-0 Carabao Cup first-round win over Bristol Rovers in August.

He says it is too early to predict where he will be playing his football next season.

"I signed a new deal at Cardiff at the start of the season. I've got to be respectful of Cardiff," he said.

"All I'm focussing now is playing as many games as I can for Newport, and we'll see what happens at the end of the season."

Evans, usually a wide midfielder, has been playing in a deeper role for County in the past couple of games, in the absence of injured co-captain Aaron Wildig.

"The gaffer has put me as like a [number] six, which I'm happy to do for the team," said Evans.

"I've not played there much before. I've played more like a number 10 if anything, but I can play deep.

"I wish I could get forward a bit more, but I don't really mind it."

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Iwan Roberts reckons Yakou Meite should "do his talking on the pitch" after the Cardiff City forward ended his eight-month wait for a goal at Coventry City last weekend.

Meite put his finger to his lips after scoring in the 2-2 draw with the Sky Blues, before writing on social media that "some of you can still try to make me responsible for everything" despite his goal.

Former Wales striker Roberts has some sympathy for the former Reading player – but says Meite could score more goals.

"I understand his reaction. I don't think it was needed," Roberts told BBC Sport Wales' Feast of Football podcast.

"It was his first goal of the season in 14 appearances, his third goal in 52 for Cardiff. As a fan, you're looking at your centre-forward getting that number of goals and you would be frustrated.

"I tell you what, I wish I'd had some of his tools – his power, his pace, he's as strong as an ox."

Meite has spent time playing out wide for Cardiff rather than up front, and Roberts does not see the Ivory Coast international as an out-and-out striker.

"He has so many good attributes, I just don't think he uses them in the way he should as an attacking player," he added.

"He needs to knuckle down, be more clinical in front of goal and let his football do the talking. But, in the spur of the moment, when you score a goal it's like a moment of madness."

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Cardiff City's FA Cup third round contest with Sheffield United will be shown live on BBC Wales.

The cup contest will kick-off at 19:00 GMT on Thursday, 9 January.

The Bluebirds have not progressed beyond the third round of the competition since beating Preston North End during the 2021-22 campaign - later being knocked out by Liverpool in round four.

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Omer Riza's 'permanent' reign as Cardiff boss begins here, with the Bluebirds now on a five-match winless streak and casting nervous glances at the relegation zone just two points below them.

Riza, whose appointment until the end of the season was confirmed on Thursday, guided Cardiff to four wins from six games after taking temporary charge in the wake of Erol Bulut's dismissal - and they need to regain that kind of form to avoid sinking into the bottom three.

Opponents Watford have climbed to sixth place with a run of four wins from seven games - but their only defeat during that sequence was sustained in South Wales, a 1-0 reverse to Swansea last month.

● Cardiff City are unbeaten across their last three league games against Watford (W2 D1), their longest such streak since a run of six matches between 2011 and 2014.

● Watford are unbeaten across their last five away league games against Cardiff City (W4 D1), since a 2-1 defeat in October 2012. Overall, each of the Hornets' last 12 such matches since August 2005 have seen both sides score.

● Cardiff have lost more home Championship games in 2024 than any other side (10), losing six of their last 10 such games (W4), including each of the previous two.

● Watford are unbeaten in their last four league games (W2 D2) and could record three successive clean sheets in the league for the first time since August 2023.

● Only Portsmouth (9) have conceded more goals from outside the box in the Championship this season than Cardiff (6), while only Rubin Colwill (9) has recorded more shots on target from outside the box in the competition this term than Watford's Giorgi Chakvetadze (8).

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Cardiff City will have winger Anwar El Ghazi back from injury for Saturday's Championship match at home to Watford.

El Ghazi, 29, has missed Cardiff's past three matches with a groin strain.

The former Aston Villa and Everton player has made 13 appearances and scored one goal for the Bluebirds since joining on a free transfer in the summer.

"Anwar's back in training this week, so Anwar will be back in contention to be in the squad this week," said Cardiff manager Omer Riza.

"I think he's the only one back in."

Cardiff remain without long-term injured absentees such as midfielder Aaron Ramsey, forward Isaak Davies and striker Kion Etete.

The Welsh club are 20th in the Championship table, two points clear of the relegation zone.

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Former Cardiff City captain Jason Perry says the "chaos" at board level has limited the Championship club's managerial options.

On Thursday Cardiff appointed interim boss Omer Riza on a contract until the end of the season, more than two months after sacking Erol Bulut.

Fans and former players have been critical of the way the Bluebirds hierarchy handled their search for a new manager.

A supporters' organisation wrote an open letter to chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo this week, expressing "serious concerns" about the way the club is being run.

"I said on Radio Wales when Bulut was sacked that there would only be two types of manager interested in the job: a young inexperienced manager who's desperate for a chance, which Riza is, or an old experienced manager who's desperate for a last chance," Perry told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Your Steve Cooper and Mark Robins (types of manager) are going to distance themselves from Cardiff because of the chaos above the manager. That is the problem.

"We've talked about it in depth many a time. There's nothing above the manager to support them. Six of the last 12 managers were sacked within a year.

"It's a very difficult job so I'm not surprised [Riza has got the job]. He's done OK but he's got a lot of work ahead of him."

Riza won four of his first seven matches but is winless in his past five, leaving Cardiff 20th in the Championship table before the visit of Watford on Saturday.

"Your Steve Cooper or Mark Robins, your experienced managers, will look at the club and think 'what can I do?'. You're not given any time to build on anything," Perry added.

"You've got to add to the squad. They've wasted a lot of money so they're not going to get a lot of support financially, so how do you solve the problems?

"The fans aren't happy. It's quite toxic at the moment. It's not a good place to be so I'm not surprised they've gone for this option.

"Having said all that, we've got to get behind him (Riza) now and hopefully he does well."

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza says he will get the backing he needs to make signings in January.

Riza had been the Bluebirds' interim manager before it was announced on Thursday he had been given the job on a contract until the end of the season.

Now the uncertainty surrounding his own future has been resolved, Riza is thinking about transfer plans before the window opens next month.

"Conversations are ongoing in respect of a longlist and a shortlist of players and recognising where the weaknesses are we have in the squad, and how we need to replenish or replace players to make sure that, come January, we are taking the team to another level," Riza said.

"The conversations have been good. We're talking all the time. If we need to strengthen I'm sure we will be given the opportunity to do so."

Riza has overseen a marked improvement during his 12 games at the helm, picking up 16 points and implementing a more attacking style of play.

However, Cardiff are winless in their past five matches and 20th in the Championship table, two points above the relegation zone, before the visit of Watford on Saturday.

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Cardiff City hopeful Michael Reindorf has thanked Omer Riza after making his Football League breakthrough at Coventry City.

Striker Reindorf, 19, came on as a second-half substitute in the Bluebirds’ 2-2 draw at Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues on Saturday.

It marked the former Norwich City frontman’s senior league debut, five months after arriving in south Wales.

Reindorf has caught the eye of fans after prolific form for the club’s Under-21 side, including seven goals in the young Bluebirds’ run to the Welsh League Cup semi-finals.

But the rookie forward missed the youngsters' penalty shoot-out defeat at Aberystwyth Town having been drafted into Riza’s first-team squad the previous week.

And now Reindorf has gone public with his gratitude for the opportunity, posting on X, external: "Really unlucky to not get all three points this afternoon, however I'm over the moon (bit of an understatement) to have made my league debut. Massive thank you to the gaffer, my team-mates and all of the staff behind closed doors."

Born in London and a former West Ham scholar before signing for Norwich, Reindorf has scored eight times for Cardiff's Under-21s, the side led by former captain Darren Purse.

He had set himself a target of 15 goals this season at age-grade, as well as getting a taste of first-team involvement.

That came earlier in the season when he made his senior football bow in the League Cup first-round win over Bristol Rovers, followed up by a start against Premier League Southampton in the following round.

But - having been on the bench twice previously this term - he was given the nod for the matchday squad for the home defeat by Queens Park Rangers with Wilfried Kanga dropped, with Riza saying Reindorf deserved his opportunity.

That came in full at the CBS Arena as Reindorf replaced Callum Robinson on 62 minutes for his landmark outing.

Reindorf will now hope to be involved against Watford in Saturday's Championship fixture, having been absent from the squad as the Under-21s drew 0-0 with Bournemouth in Leckwith on Tuesday.

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Under fire Cardiff City striker Yakou Meite has been backed by interim boss Omer Riza after delivering an answer to critics at Coventry.

The Ivory Coast frontman scored his first goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with the Sky Blues – and his first in almost eight months.

The 28-year-old celebrated his early stooping header by putting his fingers to his lips, in what was perceived to be a silencing of the social media stick he has received during his goal drought.

With only three goals since signing last summer, the former Reading forward later posted himself, referencing the criticism, writing on X, external: "Some of you can still try to make me responsible for everything when it’s not going well, but I will always give 100% till the end with the smile on my face. Thanks for the support always."

And Bluebirds acting boss Riza threw his support behind Meite, saying he seized his chance with his performance in the stalemate against Frank Lampard’s side.

"I’m really happy for Yak," Riza said. "Sometimes things haven’t gone right for him, but he hasn’t once shirked responsibility or attitude or not shown character at any stage.

“Hopefully the fans can see what energies he’s put into the game because I thought he was one of our best players."

On the social media issue, Riza added: "I’m sure he’ll have read it, but for me what’s important is that we know our players, we know how hard they work, how hard they try.

“I think it was important for him to get the opportunity and I think he took it."

After a controversial late penalty denied Cardiff victory at the CBS Arena, Meite will hope for the chance to build on his goal – and seek his first at Cardiff City Stadium – when the Bluebirds host Watford on Saturday.

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Cardiff City head coach Iain Darbyshire hailed another “huge three points” as his side ran out 4-1 winners against Wrexham on Sunday.

The champions are two points clear at the top of the Adran Premier having only lost once this season, that coming in the south Wales derby against Swansea City.

A goal from Laura Curnock and a Ffion Price penalty gave the Bluebirds a first-half lead in Leckwith, before Mikayla Cook and Lily Billingham struck after the break.

“I still think our team is growing. We’re still learning about each other and there’s so much that we’re still figuring out,” said Darbyshire.

“We’re ticking off the games one by one and improving every week. There are going to be ups and downs, but you can see that we’re going in the right direction.”

Next up for the Bluebirds is a top of the table clash against The New Saints at Park Hall on Saturday, 8 December (14:00 GMT).

Saints will be looking to avenge their only defeat so far this season, when they lost 1-0 to Cardiff on 29 September.

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

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Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson described the decision to award Coventry City a late penalty in their 2-2 draw as "terrible".

With only two minutes left and Cardiff 2-1 up, referee James Bell penalised Bluebirds defender Calum Chambers for handball and Victor Torp scored from the spot.

Bell hesitated before awarding the penalty, and Robertson - whose goal had put Cardiff 2-1 up - was booked for his protestations.

“It was a good strike, very happy to get the goal, but to draw the game like that, it was a terrible decision from the referee,” said Robertson.

“We’ve got to move on from that, but to draw like that is devastating.

“The ref and the linesman didn’t really know what was happening, they said the comms went down or something. It all just happened in the moment and it’s disappointing.”

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Cardiff City are waiting to discover the severity of midfielder David Turnbull's hamstring injury.

Turnbull had to be taken off during Saturday's 2-2 Championship draw at Coventry City.

“We think he might have tweaked his hamstring. Hopefully it’s not too serious, but we have to get it checked," said Cardiff interim manager Omer Riza.

“He’ll have a scan, but it didn’t look too good."

Losing Turnbull would be a blow for Cardiff.

The 25-year-old Scot has played regularly under Riza, having previously struggled for game-time under previous boss Erol Bulut.

"He’s been brilliant," Riza said of Turnbull.

"I’ve been really happy with his performances."

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Iwan Roberts expects Coventry City to enjoy a new manager bounce under Frank Lampard when they host Cardiff City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard was named Sky Blues boss this week following the club's decision to part company with Mark Robins.

And ex-Wales forward Roberts believes Coventry can extend Cardiff's wretched run of results away from home.

"I remember speaking to [former Wales assistant coach] Osian Roberts years ago and he'd looked at the stats from managers in their first games, and it's around 50% of managers who win their first game," he told Dros Frecwast.

"Cardiff's away record is woeful. They're on a terrible run, one point in four games, and they haven't won in their last 10 away games.

"Their goalscoring record away from home is the second worst in the Championship.

"With it being Frank Lampard's first game at Coventry, I'd expect Coventry to win."