Cardiff City

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Calum Chambers' move out of defence into midfield may have come about through necessity but manager Omer Riza says the player has been "excellent".

Chambers has started 22 of Cardiff City's 24 Championship matches this season after signing in the summer from Aston Villa on a three-year deal.

His first 20 appearances were in the heart of defence but he's caught the eye in a holding midfielder role in the recent win at Watford and home draw against Coventry.

"I knew Calum played a whole season at Fulham and when he came through at Southampton he played holding midfield and he's been there," said Riza.

"He's an experienced player, he has got good ability on the ball and understands the game defensively, so for me it was a no brainer.

"It was just about the timing of it and whether we have given him enough time to be able to manage playing in a different position because he has played at centre half for such a while.

"In the last two games he has been excellent in there with Sio (Manolis Siopis) and it is a bit through lack of options, but it is the right option at the right time and it has given us an element of solidity there."

Riza is relieved that players are returning to his squad after injury and praised both Joe Ralls and Perry Ng after both came off the bench at home to Coventry after injury lay-offs.

"Rallsy did exactly what I asked him to do - get in the way of things, make blocks and stop through passes and then Perry has come on and gone in at right side of centre half and as right wing back when we changed to a back three at the end," added Riza.

"We need the players back, we've had a hell of a lot of injuries but it is nice to have them back in the squad."

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has defended his side's performances away from home this season - but thinks they should have collected more points.

His side won on the road for the first time this season at Watford on 29 December and he's targeting more away points at Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Before the win at Vicarage Road, Cardiff had only picked up six points in 11 matches away from the Cardiff City Stadium.

Late equalisers away at Coventry and Stoke robbed Cardiff of an extra four points which would have been valuable in their fight against relegation from the Championship.

"We spoke about the other games - let's not forget the other games. We were good at Stoke and at Coventry," Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

"Our performances haven't been that bad away from home but we haven't picked up the points that we need so desperately, and we haven't won at home which elevates anxiety and elevates frustration and elevates everything."

Head to head with former Hammer

The Bluebirds head to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough in their first away fixture of 2025 where Riza will be reunited with an old team-mate - Boro boss Michael Carrick.

"I played with Michael at West Ham. He is a great guy, first and foremost, respectful," added Riza.

"He is doing really well in his job there and he has got a really good squad, no one can deny what squad they've got, what they've got in the front line which can cause problems, what they've got through midfield and at the back, solid disciplined - it's a tough game."

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Omer Riza has challenged Cardiff City to maintain the standards set in their win over Watford when they kick off 2025 against Coventry City.

The Bluebirds host Frank Lampard's Sky Blues on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT) having lifted spirits with Sunday's victory at Vicarage Road.

Cardiff went to Watford having failed to win in nine matches, while the Hornets had not lost on their ground all season.

But after Callum Robinson's double sealed a 2-1 away success, Cardiff boss Riza wants more of the same against Coventry.

"Everything is about whether we can maintain the same intensity level, the same aggression and the same want game in, game-out with the team at the minute," Riza said.

"We have got 10 injuries. It's not two or three, it's 10. In January I think we will need a little bit of help hopefully.

"[But] the boys are always going to fight and they are doing that. Some of the performances have not been at the standard we have needed and it's difficult, but we'll keep fighting."

Riza's team have lost four successive home games since their last Cardiff City Stadium victory, against Norwich on 2 November.

Coventry have made a promising start to life under Lampard, whose first game in charge was the 2-2 draw with Cardiff at the end of November.

The former Chelsea boss has won 11 points from his first six Coventry fixtures.

"They have a different system now - they are a back four in most games with Frank," Riza said.

"They are a good side. In my opinion they are a top-six side with the players they have got.

"We have to approach the game the same way. We have a team that wants to fight and wants to work hard, so hopefully we can continue the form [from Watford]."

Cardiff have a raft of injury issues, with Chris Willock and Callum O'Dowda both doubtful for Coventry's visit.

But the visitors have problems too, with forwards Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark both sidelined.

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Omer Riza says Cardiff City will hold talks to determine whether or not they want to recall Joel Colwill from his loan spell with Cheltenham Town in January.

The 20-year-old - younger brother of Cardiff and Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill - joined the Gloucestershire outfit on a season-long loan deal in early August.

The attacking midfielder has been a key figure for Michael Flynn's side, scoring nine goals in 27 appearances in all competitions.

Riza feels that the Wales Under-21 international is already capable of performing at a higher level than he is at present with Cheltenham.

"Joel's doing excellently, he's a great player, he's doing really well in League Two," Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

"He's one of our players that we hold in high regard.

"Whether he comes back in the building for January is a conversation we need to have.

"For me, I've already stated I think that he could do with stepping up to another level, but I upset the manager at Cheltenham with that last week, so I apologise for that.

"But it's just what we need to do for our players to give them the potential to kick on and have good careers."

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Callum Robinson says Cian Ashford fully deserved to start for Cardiff City who ended their run of nine games without victory by winning 2-1 at Watford.

Republic of Ireland international Robinson struck twice at Vicarage Road - the second of which was created by Ashford - as the Bluebirds earned a first away league triumph of the campaign.

Robinson says he spoke with Wales Under-21 attacker Ashford prior to the triumph over the Hornets after his impressive showing off the bench at Oxford United on 26 December.

"He was excellent the other day [against Oxford] when he came on, and he deserved his start," Robinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"There were senior players on the bench and I said to him before the game, 'enjoy the game, and you deserve to be playing'.

"He got that start today and he proved why. Not just the assist, it was an unbelievable assist, but his defensive work today against their left-back, he was bombing on, and that's what keeps you in the team."

Manager Omer Riza heaped praise on Ashford following his performance at Watford, adding that the 20-year-old should be more confident in his abilities.

"We've got a lot of belief in Ash, he's a young lad. He needs to believe in himself a little bit more," Riza told BBC Sport Wales.

"I had no hesitation putting him in there. We had people on the bench today, senior players that could quite easily have played in that game.

"He held the ball up well, he was strong, aggressive, he worked hard, and that's what we needed.

"Everyone needs to be ready to fight for the club."

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Cardiff City fan groups have united to call for an urgent meeting with the club's board to discuss the "current situation at the football club".

A dismal season thus far has led to fans becoming increasingly frustrated with the key decision-makers at the club, including owner Vincent Tan, chairman Mehmet Dalman, chief executive officer Ken Choo and non-executive director Steve Borley.

Following their final fixture of 2024, a 2-1 win at Watford, the Cardiff City Fan Advisory Board (FAB) issued a letter to the club's hierarchy on behalf of all official Cardiff City supporters' groups after stating "issues surrounding communication have not been addressed" since an open letter was published on 1 December.

In a letter addressed to Dalman, Choo and Borley, the FAB wrote: "As previously raised in an open letter (1.12.2024) the cycle of failure at the club continues apace with no clear plan or strategy evidenced in relation to improving and securing both the immediate and long-term status of the football club. The issues surrounding communication have not been addressed.

"Supporter unrest, frustration and apathy continues to grow and we face losing a generation of fans through neglectful management of our club.

"In another challenging season, facing the very real threat of relegation, there is an absence of a full-time director and a director who can make key decisions.

"The situation has been exacerbated by the continued silence and absence of our owner Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun. The club needs leadership, direction and clarity. Supporters deserve communication and reassurances."

Manager Erol Bulut was sacked in September after what was Cardiff's worst start to a season in 94 years - with the Bluebirds claiming just one point from their opening six leagues games.

Caretaker boss Omer Riza initially improved matters and helped Cardiff climb out of the relegation zone before being appointed as boss until the end of the season.

But a run of nine matches without victory prior to the triumph over Watford has ensured the Bluebirds will go into 2025 in the bottom three of the Championship.

Setting our their aims for the proposed meeting, the FAB outlined the following topics as key points for discussion:

• The short-term plan to secure the club's position in the Championship for next season and beyond.

• The credible long-term plan which outlines the exact specifics of how the club will break the cycle of failure and the preventative measures introduced by the chairman, CEO and board members.

• Communication to Cardiff City supporters from Sri Vincent Tan outlining his plans for the club.

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Omer Riza says Cardiff City may see "a couple" of injured players return to action in Sunday's Championship fixture with Watford (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Bluebirds have been without a number of key players of late - with Aaron Ramsey, David Turnbull, Kion Etete and Isaak Davies among those who are out for the longer term.

Cardiff's form has suffered as a result, with Riza's side failing to win any of their past nine league fixtures.

But Riza hinted that his squad options could improve for the trip to Vicarage Road in Cardiff's final game of 2024.

"We might have one or two back, but it's not 100% guaranteed," he said.

"Whether they can start or not, I don't know whether they've got enough minutes in their legs in training.

"There might be a couple available."

Play-off chasing Watford host struggling Cardiff City at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Victory over Portsmouth on Boxing Day took the Hornets up to sixth in the Championship table, while a pair of late goals were not enough to rescue a point for the Bluebirds - who are second from bottom - against fellow relegation battlers Oxford United.

• Watford have lost their last three home league games against Cardiff City and have only won two of their last 11 against them at Vicarage Road (D4 L5).

• Cardiff City are looking to win consecutive league games against Watford for the first time since a run of three between March 2009 and March 2010.

• Watford haven't won their final league match of the year in any of the last three years (D1 L2) since beating Norwich 1-0 in 2020.

• Cardiff City have lost their final league game of the year in three of the last four years (D1) since winning 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday in 2019.

• Watford are winless in their last four home league games against Welsh opponents (D1 L3) since beating Swansea 2-0 in May 2021.

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Jason Perry says his former club Cardiff City are in "huge trouble" following their 3-2 loss to Championship relegation rivals Oxford United.

The Bluebirds are winless in nine matches and slipped to 23rd after being beaten by Gary Rowett's side.

And Perry admits Cardiff deserved nothing after their performance against the Us.

"They're in huge trouble. Before the game we said it's a must-win situation," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"The frightening part about it, I don't think the board in particular and the players realised they were in a relegation fight. 

"You were playing one of only two teams below you going into the game. It looked like that in the opening minutes, neither side looked confident, the game stuttered.

"Then suddenly, old player of Cardiff City Mark Harris taps the ball home and everything changes.

"Second half it was all Oxford. They did get two goals at the end, but it flattered Cardiff.

"They were flat, below the tempo and they looked like a side that were going to get relegated."

Ex-Wales international Perry pointed the finger firmly at the club's board following Cardiff's latest away defeat.

"It stems from the board. Unless there's a change, there won't be a change on the field," he added.

"Cardiff City reinvent themselves every single time they appoint a manager because there's nothing to build from, there's no long-term plan, it's short and reaction. 

"Cardiff is a boom and bust club, because there's no leadership. The bust could be bigger than we've seen for a long, long time."

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Cardiff City saw two former Bluebirds score against them on Boxing Day, as they were beaten 3-2 away at Oxford United.

Striker Mark Harris and defender Ciaron Brown both scored for the Us, as did former Swansea winger Przemyslaw Placheta.

Harris joined the Cardiff academy back in 2015, and left the club on a first permanent move in July 2023 to join then-League One Oxford.

Former Cardiff midfielder Will Vaulks was also in the Oxford starting 11 on Boxing Day, as a trio of former players celebrated victory over their old club.

"We're all trying our best now for Oxford," Harris told BBC Radio Oxford.

"We were all at Cardiff and I'm sure the other two loved it there as much as I did.

"I can't thank them enough for how they treated me.

"I was there a long time, but we're focused on getting three points for Oxford now."

Having opened the scoring, Harris cupped his hand to his ear in the direction of the travelling Cardiff fans - but he said the celebration was in good spirits.

"I've had a bit of banter from them," added Harris.

"I gave a little bit back but it's just football, that's the way it goes.

"It's all about believing in yourself and working as hard as you can."

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says the Bluebirds' position in the Championship might mean they have to focus on the loan market in January with players reluctant to join a club battling relegation.

The Welsh club slipped to 23rd after a 3-2 defeat by Oxford United and are now three points adrift of safety.

Riza says he has had a recruitment meeting with the Cardiff board, but admits the club might struggle to attract the right calibre of signing on a permanent basis, with a focus on the loan market likelier.

"We've had a meeting and a shortlist is with the board and discussions are taking place. Hopefully we can move ahead with transfers," Riza told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "It's an important window.

"There are a whole range of scenarios that might occur with our position at the minute, some players maybe don't want to come to a club who are in the position we're in at the moment.

£Maybe we might only be able to get loans in, there are a whole range of obstacles in the way, but we are looking at back-up as well, players further down the list who might be able to come in and help us."

The Bluebirds are now winless in nine games, but Riza says he remains optimistic and has only had discussions about transfer plans with the owners, when asked if he retains their support.

"A win can change everything. It's proving hard to get it at the moment," he added.

"We are in discussions all the time about what we need in January.

"We are not getting results and when that is happening there are always going to be questions asked."

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Cardiff City defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott will join National League leaders York City when the January transfer window opens on a permanent transfer.

The 22-year-old made the loan move from the Championship club back in early September and has impressed for the Minstermen so far.

Fagan-Walcott made three senior appearances for the Bluebirds, having joined from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2023.

The defender also spent time on loan at Dundee in 2021.

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Omer Riza has described Cardiff City's meeting with fellow strugglers Oxford United as a game his side "need to win".

Cardiff will attempt to end an eight-game sequence without victory when they go to the Kassam Stadium for a meeting of two sides in the Championship relegation zone on Thursday, 26 December.

Oxford's form is miserable too, with the U's chasing a first win in eight and just a second in 17 matches.

Their poor run saw Des Buckingham lose his job earlier this month, with former Birmingham City, Stoke City and Millwall boss Gary Rowett taking charge of Oxford for the first time when Cardiff visit.

While all four of Oxford's league wins this season have come at home, Cardiff go in search of a first second-tier away triumph of the season at the 11th time of asking.

"Every game is a big game for us - whatever points we can pick up, that's what we need," Riza said.

"But this one, even more so. It's a big game. Two teams at the bottom trying to pick up points and it's one we need to win."

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While they are still to win on their travels this season, Cardiff have drawn their last three away games, at Stoke, Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Riza, whose side face a tricky trip to Watford next Sunday, says that despite their record, the Bluebirds have played better on the road than they have at the Cardiff City Stadium.

"Obviously the game state changes with opposition away from home because the emphasis is more on them to win," he added.

"Potentially we can pick up more opportunities to counter-attack. I do feel our away performances have been better than our home performances.

"We haven't won away from home. I know it's a problem and it's something we are trying to fix."

Oxford will be hoping to turn around their wayward form of late which has seen them drop to 23rd in the Championship.

Gary Rowett has arrived at the U's with the club currently on a seven-game winless run, losing six of those seven.

Not that Cardiff have fared much better - the Bluebirds themselves have not won in eight games and are just a place above Oxford.

• This is the first league meeting between Oxford United and Cardiff City since January 2000, in which the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Ninian Park.

• In all competitions, the last meeting between Oxford United and Cardiff City was in August 2011 in a League Cup tie, with the Bluebirds winning 3-1.

• Oxford have won their last three home league games on Boxing Day since losing 1-0 to Southend United back in 2018.

• Cardiff have won two of their last 23 league games on Boxing Day (D12 L9) and are winless in their last 10 since winning 2-1 against Crystal Palace back in 2012.

• Cardiff have lost their last two away Championship matches against newly promoted clubs, last losing three in a row in the league back in September 1991.

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Cardiff City's hopes of striking a blow in the scrap to avoid relegation from the Championship at Oxford United will be hindered, once again, by injuries within Omer Riza's squad.

The Bluebirds will target a first win in nine league games when they travel to the Kassam Stadium on 26 December (15:00 GMT).

Oxford are winless in their past seven matches – and have registered only one victory in 16 – but will hope to be boosted by the appointment of new head coach Gary Rowett, who leads the U's for the first time against Cardiff.

But any prospect of a boost from the treatment room looks slim for Cardiff, with manager Riza suggesting Joe Ralls and Callum O'Dowda are "probably doubtful" for the Oxford trip having missed last Saturday's home defeat to Sheffield United.

Perry Ng and Ollie Tanner will definitely be absent, though neither has yet been ruled out of Cardiff's game at Watford on Sunday, 29 December.

Chris Willock is doubtful for the two festive away trips after he came off during the Blades loss with a hip problem, while the likes of Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull remain sidelined.

Isaak Davies and Kion Etete are building towards first-team comebacks having not featured all season, while Riza has confirmed Jamilu Collins has not been involved for selection reasons rather than any fitness issue, amid speculation that he could move on in January.