Cardiff City

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza says the FA Cup has lost some of its lustre in recent years but hopes the storied old competition can retain some prominence in the football calendar.

The Bluebirds travel to fellow Championship side Sheffield United for a third-round tie on Thursday (19:00 GMT).

With Cardiff battling to avoid relegation and the Blades fighting for promotion, both are expected to make wholesale changes as they concentrate on their league efforts after a busy festive schedule.

"The history of the FA Cup is massive and I don't think that will ever change," said Riza.

"But with so many more games involved now, teams have to take a different stance on it, especially those teams struggling to survive and looking to put their best team out in the league.

"We will approach the game hoping to put on a good show and trying to win."

It has become common for Premier League and Championship teams to field weakened teams in the FA Cup.

Fixture congestion is one of the main reasons, while other competitions are now often considered to be more prestigious.

Riza has personal experience of the FA Cup, having been a youth player at Arsenal when the first team lifted the trophy in 1998, while he has played for and coached non-league teams in the early rounds of the competition.

"The FA Cup is important, although I think it has become less important because of a number of factors," Riza added.

"I don't know if you stipulate that teams have to put out their strongest teams. It is difficult because there are so many games. You have to look at it that players get given an opportunity. It gives our youngsters, those who are ready, a chance to play.

"We've just about got enough to put out another competitive side who hopefully will go into the Sheffield United game to win it.

"But we do have to consider we have another game very quickly on Tuesday [at home to Watford in the Championship] and the players will need to be ready for that."

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The FA Cup third round means a chance for respite for Cardiff City amid the scrap to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Yet a trip to Sheffield United was not the kindest draw for the Bluebirds, who have had few FA Cup moments to savour since their run to the final 17 years ago.

Dave Jones' Cardiff side did something remarkable by reaching the final as a second-tier club in 2007-08, when they were beaten to the trophy by Portsmouth after Nwankwo Kanu's solitary goal at Wembley.

Since then, however, there has not been much to shout about.

Cardiff have won only nine FA Cup ties across the previous 16 seasons, with just one success – against Preston North End in 2021-22 – coming in the past four campaigns.

They have been on the end of upsets, losing as a Premier League club to Gillingham in 2019-20 and Wigan Athletic in 2013-14.

They have also been eliminated by Shrewsbury Town, in 2015-16, and Macclesfield Town in 2012-13.

Cardiff, meanwhile, have failed to knock out opponents from a higher division since their run to Wembley, when they overcame Middlesbrough – who were then in the Premier League – in the last eight.

A win at Bramall Lane on Thursday may not be classed as a cup shock given that Cardiff and Sheffield United are in the same division.

But certainly, an away victory would upset the odds, given that Omer Riza's team are in the bottom three while the Blades are third – and would be top but for a points deduction.

At the third-round stage last season, Cardiff were thumped 4-0 by Sheffield United's city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

And in the previous campaign, Cardiff drew 2-2 at home against Leeds United – a Premier League club at the time – before going down 5-2 in the replay at Elland Road.

After what has been an arduous season to date, Riza's men - who should be buoyed by a three-match unbeaten run - must hope for a more enjoyable trip to Yorkshire this time around.

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Ryotaro Tsunoda has rejoined KV Kortrijk on loan until the end of the 2024/2025 season.

The Japanese defender signed for the Bluebirds in the 2024 January transfer window and immediately went out on loan to the Belgian side, who are also owned by Vincent Tan.

Tsunoda made nine appearances in the Jupiler Pro League last season before a hamstring injury cut his campaign short.

Cardiff, meanwhile, welcome back striker Roko Simic to the Welsh capital.

The Croatia Under-21 international had been on loan with Kortrijk.

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Former Cardiff City midfielder Romaine Sawyers looks set to join a new club after leaving AFC Wimbledon.

Sawyers, 33, was released by Cardiff last summer.

He was without a club until he signed a one-month deal at League Two Wimbledon in early December.

Sawyers played five times for the Dons, scoring in what proved to be his final appearance for the club in the win at Newport County last week.

But the club have revealed Sawyers has departed to "pursue a new challenge" after negotiations over his future.

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says he is disappointed striker Callum Robinson will be forced to miss three games with suspension.

Cardiff appealed Robinson's straight red card against Coventry City, with Riza saying at the time that "If anyone thinks that's a red card then I'm a monkey's uncle."

Robinson missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough and will also be unavailable for their next two matches.

Riza believed stand-in referee James Durkin was overawed by his elevation from fourth official in sending off Robinson, Cardiff's top scorer with eight goals this term.

"We appealed against the red card. They didn't overturn it and I was disappointed about that," Riza told BBC Radio Wales.

"I still don't think it was a red card. He will now miss three games."

Riza admits Robinson is a huge absence as Cardiff battle to get out of the Championship relegation zone.

"He is a big miss for us, he is our talisman, he gets the goals and we will have to find an answer," he added.

"We have boys who will have to go in and do a job."

Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough host struggling Cardiff City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Boro took all three points on New Year's Day thanks to Alex Gilbert's last gasp goal in their 1-0 win against Hull City to consolidate fifth place.

Cardiff's 1-1 draw against Coventry City came with plenty of drama of its own, with boss Omer Riza claiming that the fourth official's promotion to match referee for his first Championship game led to a harsh dismissal of striker Callum Robinson in the 47th minute.

The Bluebirds are appealing to overturn the red card decision so Robinson may feature in the trip to the Riverside.

• Middlesbrough have won six of their last seven league meetings with Cardiff City (L1), including each of the last four.

• Cardiff City have won three of their last six away league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L2), though did lose 2-0 in this exact fixture this term.

• Middlesbrough have drawn their last two home league games (3-3 v Sheffield Wednesday, 0-0 v Burnley) and could draw three in a row at the Riverside Stadium for the first time since February 2020 under Jonathan Woodgate.

• Cardiff City ended a 13-game winless run away from home in the Championship when beating Watford 2-1 in their final game of 2024 – the Bluebirds last won back-to-back matches on the road in April.

• Callum Robinson has scored each of Cardiff City's last three away league goals and the striker could score in three straight Championship appearances away from home for the very first time (120 away apps).

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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."