Cardiff City

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Steven Caulker believes former club Cardiff City have built momentum at the right time as they strive to pull clear of the Championship relegation fight.

The Bluebirds followed last weekend's south Wales derby win against Swansea City with a 2-2 Tuesday night draw at Millwall.

A late goal from new signing Yousef Salech, who came off the bench at The Den, saw Omer Riza's side extend their unbeaten league run to six games.

"It was really, really important [at Millwall] just to keep momentum," Caulker told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"It's six games unbeaten and seven if you include the FA Cup as well. I just think when the team's down the bottom fighting for points, those last-minute equalisers do feel like winners.

"I feel Omer's doing a good job. He started off really well, had a rough patch, and Cardiff seem to be turning a corner."

Caulker says Cardiff, who host 20th-place Derby County on Saturday, have found momentum at "a really good time" in the season.

"You don't want to be in that relegation zone in March, you don't want to be there in April, and you certainly don't want to be there May," he added.

"I think they're full of confidence and they've got, let's say, a winnable game on the weekend against Derby County, which would actually see them start to pull away from the relegation zone [if they win]. So fingers crossed the momentum stays with them."

The draw at Millwall, in which Cardiff came back from 2-0 down, means Riza's side are two points clear of the relegation places in 19th ahead of Wednesday's Championship fixtures.

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Millwall head coach Alex Neil described his side's defending as "nearly criminal" after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Cardiff City at The Den on Tuesday.

Calum Scanlon's first professional goal put the home side ahead little more than a minute into the game before Casper De Norre doubled the lead on 19 minutes.

But Chris Willock's strike in first-half added time gave the Bluebirds a lifeline before substitute Yousef Salech scored his first goal for the club in the seventh minute of time added on at the end to draw the Welsh side level.

The result means the Lions have now gone six Championship games without a win, with Neil still waiting for his first league victory since joining the club last month.

"We conceded a goal a minute before half-time and then in the last minute of the game so from our perspective that is nearly criminal," Neil told BBC Radio London.

"Both goals, we don't clear our lines properly, kick it straight to them and within one or two touches the ball ends up in the back of our net.

"In that respect we only have ourselves to blame.

"When you are tired that's when you need to dig in and be professional and see the game out. When we score two goals and are 2-0 up, we expected to win the game from there. It's so hard to accept."

Millwall visit Luton Town in one of Saturday's early kick-offs.

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Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says new striker Yousef Salech can help to "propel" the Bluebirds to Championship safety.

The Danish striker, signed last week for over £3m, scored his first Cardiff goal in the final seconds of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Millwall at the New Den.

The goal means Cardiff are now unbeaten in seven games as they move two points clear of the Championship drop zone.

Riza paid tribute to Salech, who scored moments after missing a huge chance.

"Yousef found it really hard when he came on, he was getting knocked about a bit and I think that is like 'welcome to the Championship,'" Riza said.

"Then he missed the header, having got up really well and you're thinking 'it's not quite going to happen.'

"But then he showed that composure to get on it in the box and it's a great finish.

"It's lovely for him and hopefully will propel him and the team."

Riza says Cardiff's fine week – having hammered Swansea in the south Wales derby before their comeback at Millwall – has helped him as he has dealt with the death of his father.

"I want to be around the boys. They make me feel that little bit better," Riza added.

"Nothing can replace my father. It's a rough period ahead but the results help a little bit.

"I can't thank the fans enough for their support. I've been inundated with messages. The connection with the fans means a lot to me."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Yousef Salech enjoyed a Cardiff City debut to remember, even if he was only on the pitch for six minutes.

Cardiff's new £3m-plus striker came off the bench in the closing stages as the Bluebirds claimed a memorable south Wales derby victory over Swansea City last weekend.

Salech, who joined from Swedish side Sirius last week, will hope to get more minutes under his belt when Omer Riza's team return to action at Millwall on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

And while these are still early days in Salech's Cardiff career, assistant coach Tom Ramasut says the club are excited about what the 6ft 4in frontman can bring to the table.

"We have watched a lot of clips of him and seen him in training," Ramasut said.

"Then when you see a player out on the pitch [against Swansea], you see the size, the athleticism, the desire to go and press the ball, the pace that he has, so I am really excited by him.

"And on top of that, his character and his manner around the building have been incredible. He is going to be a great addition."

Riza will be on the touchline at The Den despite his late red card against Swansea, with any sanction over that incident expected to come after the trip to south London.

The derby triumph means Cardiff are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions as they prepare to face a Millwall side who have gone five games without a win in the Championship.

"Hopefully this momentum of the six games and this game [against Swansea], which is huge, can give a lot of belief and confidence to the squad moving forward into the next batch of games," Ramasut added.

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Callum Robinson says he hopes "good things will come" amid uncertainty over his Cardiff City future with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Robinson struck twice in Saturday's thumping victory over Swansea City to take his tally for the season to 10 goals.

The 29-year-old is enjoying easily his most prolific campaign in a Cardiff shirt, having finished 2022-23 – his first in Wales - with seven club goals before managing only two last season.

Cardiff assistant coach Tom Ramasut described Robinson as a "talisman" for Omer Riza's team after his derby double.

But for the moment, Robinson says there is "nothing much" to report about his contract situation.

"I don't like to get involved in that much," the Republic of Ireland forward said.

"I have always been like that with my agent. He will call me if there's something and we'll see what happens.

"I don't know what's going on behind the scenes. I don't like all that – he knows that it affects me because he tried it once when I was at Preston and I started wobbling.

"I just have to keep doing my business and hopefully good things come."

Former Preston, Sheffield United and West Brom player Robinson added that he has "enjoyed my whole time" in Cardiff despite his individual struggles last season.

"I have never had an issue with the club or fans," he said.

"I started here scoring goals. Last year was not to my standard, but I have always loved it here."

Robinson is in sparkling form, having scored five goals in his last four appearances – one of which, against Coventry, ended just after half-time thanks to a contentious red card – as Cardiff prepare for Tuesday's trip to Millwall.

The Lions are 17th in the table, only three points better off than Cardiff, having failed to win in their past five Championship games.

They are still looking for a first victory under boss Alex Neil, who was appointed in late December.

"I know the manager from Preston and he has a well-organised team," Robinson said.

"It's going to be tough but if we can have a real good week this week, it will put us in a real good position."

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Two days before Cardiff City's stirring 3-0 win over arch rivals Swansea City, manager Omer Riza was asked what victory could do for the Bluebirds.

As well as striking a blow against their oldest enemies, who have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning this particular derby would be even more valuable given Cardiff's perilous position in the Championship.

"We know the impact of a win against the Jacks," Riza said on Thursday. "The history of the two clubs is out there for everyone to see.

"Whether it's bragging rights – and we know how important it is for the fans – it's about how you make other people feel. That's probably more important than anything else.

"Three points on Saturday against Swansea, this whole stadium will be rocking. People will feel a sense of togetherness. These moments can really help steer where you move forwards towards the back end of the season."

It was remarkable that Riza was there on Saturday. Just a few hours after that interview on Thursday, he was in London to be with his father Josh, who died that evening.

With Cardiff 3-0 up, fans sang "This one's for your dad" to Riza, who responded with a wave, a hand on his heart and applause to the crowd.

It was a touching moment on an emotional day for Riza, who was not able to celebrate on the pitch with his players after the final whistle as he had been sent off late in the game for a confrontation with Swansea midfielder Goncalo Franco.

But this was Riza's day, and he was given a standing ovation by the Bluebirds' faithful after he was shown his red card and banished from the dugout.

Now he and his squad will be revisiting that final line from his pre-match media interviews on Thursday, which represents the next challenge for Cardiff: to build on this momentous win.

Cardiff are up to 20th place in the Championship table, still only one point above the relegation zone.

Much as they enjoyed the win over Swansea, they visit 17th-place Millwall on Tuesday before hosting Derby, who are 19th, next Saturday.

There is still plenty of work to be done if Cardiff are to avoid the drop to League One, and their inspired performance against Swansea could be the catalyst for a sustained run of good form.

Riza had been encouraged by his team's recent displays – they are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions – and the hope now is that the demolition derby of the Swans can elevate Cardiff to new heights.

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Hundreds - perhaps a 1,000 or more - Cardiff City fans marched to Saturday's south Wales derby in protest against the club's board.

There were blue flares as well as chants and banners calling for owner Vincent Tan to leave as supporters made their way from Cowbridge Road to Cardiff City Stadium.

The march ended at the stadium's main reception, where the fans expressed their anger at the way Cardiff have been run during the decade and more under Tan.

Before Saturday's match against Swansea City, Cardiff were 21st in the Championship table.

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Cardiff City manager Omer Riza will be at Saturday's south Wales derby against Swansea City following the death of his father.

Riza announced the news of his father's passing on social media on Thursday night.

Cardiff posted on the club's official X account on Friday morning: "All of our thoughts are with you, Gaffer."

Cardiff, who are 21st in the Championship, host 12th-place Swansea at 12:30 GMT on Saturday.

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Cardiff City could be boosted by the return of as many as three senior players for Saturday's derby against Swansea City.

Top scorer Callum Robinson is back from suspension and midfielder Manolis Siopis has recovered from illness.

Both are expected to be in the Bluebirds' squad on the weekend, and there is a chance winger Anwar El Ghazi could feature after his return from a hip injury was delayed by illness.

"His illness knocked him, a bit of weight loss," said Cardiff manager Omer Riza.

"He's training, back in with the group. It [Swansea game] might be a bit too early for him but he's trained today [Thursday].

"Sio was unwell so we couldn't have him in the squad. He's trained today so he'll be up for selection."

Siopis only missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Watford, but El Ghazi has not played since 26 December, while Robinson was suspended for the past three games following his red card against Coventry on New Year's Day.

Long-term absentees include midfielders Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull – who are not expected back until March and April, respectively – defender Ronan Kpakio and forward Isaak Davies.

Davies, who spent last season on loan at KV Kortrijk in Belgium, has not played yet in this campaign because of a hamstring injury.

"Isaak's training well, looking sharp," said Riza.

"He needs to complete more training sessions and minutes with the Under-21s before we can unleash him. Hopefully next couple of [Under-21s] games he could get some minutes."