OMER RIZA: THE MAN TO TAKE CARDIFF CITY FORWARD?

Reports on Thursday confirmed that when The Bluebirds return from the international break, Omer Riza is set to continue at the helm for the time being.

Cardiff are reportedly continuing to work their way through applicants, but history is on Riza's side, with both Steve Morison and Mark Hudson being given the permanent role after turns in from whilst in the same role Riza currently holds, with two easier games up ahead, is Riza set to follow suit?

In this article I will be breaking down my personal positives and negatives of Riza's reign to date, and sharing my overall thoughts on the 44 year-old who looks in a positive position to throw his name in the mix for the permanent gig.

Omer Riza in charge against Hull City.

Better quality Football:

I think this is the main thing people have discussed with Riza. Cardiff look a better more organised side, who look like they have a clear plan when they get the ball. Riza has resorted to a midfield pairing of Joe Ralls and Alex Robertson in all three games, this has allowed City to be more comfortable and relaxed with the ball.

Riza has also brought more purpose to the forward line, something that was expected due to Riza's career as a striker. Callum Robinson has once again shown his importance to the team with his intensity from the front. The 44 year-old has also given free reigns to Rubin Colwill, something supporters have been calling for a long time, and hasn't been let down.

Reigniting City careers?

One of the main thing I would give Riza plaudits for is using his entire squad. The most notable one is Andy Rinomhota, the Zimbabwe international's career looked over in the summer, but the 26 year-old remained, and since Riza has given Rinomohta his first league minutes for Cardiff since January.

Another is Ollie Tanner. Some discontent had come from some, with Tanner being labelled as 'living off his goal against Swansea', but Tanner has shown that isn't the case, with back-to-back impressive performances against Millwall and Bristol City. Tanner looks to be playing with confidence and fearlessness again, and long may that continue.

Riza can also be credited with the re-emergence of Joel Bagan. The left-back was slowly coming back in under Bulut, however looks a different player under Riza. More defensively solid and comfortable on the ball. Another that Riza gave an opportunity to and grabbed it with both hands.

Players like Dimitrios Goutas and Perry Ng, who faced strong criticism at the start of the season have also flourished under Riza.

Integrating Younger Players:

One of the main things Erol Bulut was criticised for was his loyalty to older underperforming older players, Riza has opted against that.

Alex Robertson, Rubin Colwill, Ollie Tanner and Joel Bagan have added a new energy to Cardiff in recent weeks, showing the difference a bit of agility can have in a side.

Both Colwill and Robertson have given Cardiff a new lease of life in the middle. Tanner has added much needed pace to the squad, and Bagan has added strength on the left side of defence.

One thing all four have added is quality in possession. Since the quartet have been in the side, City have improved significantly on the ball. They have also added quality out of possession with City looking far more intense pressing.

Team Selection/Cohesion Improving:

One thing Riza has improved is team selection. The 44 year-old has chosen sides with, as already stated, younger more agile players, but Riza seems to have got the mix of younger and experience and more experienced players spot on thus far.

Riza has also built on strong combinations within the team. The main one spoken about is Rubin Colwill and Ollie Tanner, both occupy similar spaces in games and it is so effective. One not mentioned as much is Alex Robertson and Ollie Tanner, this was shown especially against Millwall, Robertson is always on the look for Tanner. Another that includes Ollie Tanner is his chemistry with Perry Ng, something that's been obvious for some time. Joel Bagan and Anwar El Ghazi on the other side seem to be growing each week, as well as El Ghazi and Callum Robinson.

The team look to be enjoying playing with each other, this has become obvious from the performances, the team are back fighting for each other and the badge.

Tactical Naivety/Game Management:

One of the main things pointed out by those who don't want Riza. Omer Riza's tactical change ultimately cost City against Bristol City, the switch to a back five was both unnecessary and uncomprehending as City were in control.

Riza also almost got caught out by Millwall, replacing Ollie Tanner with Andy Rinomhota, it instantly put City on the defence and nullified Cardiff going forward down that side.

Another frustrating one is the constant substitution of Callum Robinson around the hour mark. At this moment in time, the only fit striker capable of coming close to replicating Robinson's intense style is Michael Reindorf, however Reindorf doesn't get a sniff. Therefore, when Robbo is replaced Cardiff lose their most important player in the press, as Wilfried Kanga and Yakou Meite are neither intense or strong pressers.

Coming onto the point of game management, a concern for me is the potential that Rubin Colwill is being overused. Colwill has played three ninety minutes under Riza, and that's something we've been calling for a long time, I feel Colwill starts to flag around the seventieth minute mark, and when you have players like David Turnbull and Chris Willock on the bench, is there any real point in persisting with a tired Colwill for the last twenty minutes in games?

This is something that can be improved obviously, but game management is one of the most important things in football. My concern comes with Riza coming out and backing changes that ultimately failed, I feel taking accountability and acknowledging mistakes is an important part of the game.

Defensive problems still being exposed?

This is one thing I've seen a lot of praise for, however I fail to see a great deal of improvement. City are still getting carved open with ease, especially in midfield. Against Hull and Bristol City in particular, a lot of their joy came from picking pockets up behind the midfield.

You could argue that City's first clean sheet since April came under Riza, however I'm sure most are in agreement, granted you can only beat what is in front of you, a better side would've scored the opportunities Millwall squandered. Cardiff also suffered their second heaviest defeat of the season under Riza.

A plus for Riza is that can be fixed with personnel changes. City have plenty of defensive options at disposal.

Lacking Experience:

Granted this isn't Riza's fault. At this moment in time, Cardiff sit bottom after their worst ever start to a season in the club's 125 years. Is someone who's only managed Cheshunt and Leyton Orient, where he got relegated, enough for City at this moment in time?

Riza made reference to the only thing younger managers had on his was they'd managed in front of more people than him, but I don't think that's something that can be brushed under the carpet. The experience of being on the touch line in a high pressure moment is invaluable.

You could argue, Riza needs to manage to get experience, however harsh this may sounds, are Cardiff be the club to give Riza that? Especially when there's an array of managers available that have managed countless games at this level.

We've been here before: Cardiff have been here before with Steve Morison and Mark Hudson. A fairly good run as interim lands you a deal until the end of the season. It's been tested and it's failed. Riza could be completely different, and be the exception however his interim run hasn't been that dissimilar to Morison and Hudson's.

It also sends the wrong message to supporters. As mentioned this has failed previously, the cheap inexperienced appointment from within, City fans don't demand a lot but an appointment that doesn't show a great deal of ambition is enough for fans to put even more pressure on the hierarchy.

Riza getting the permanent gig would also put unnecessary pressure on his shoulders. This is similar to Hudson, through no fault of his own, there's some exciting options out there yet City choose to ignore those candidates for an inexperienced option, and given City's history it's unlikely they stay for long.

Conclusion - My view:

I like Riza because of the way he speaks and his clear footballing intelligence and love for the game. Riza has had a notable impact on this team and has shown signs of building something.

Where my problem lies is the standard set by Bulut wasn't hard to beat. City have also just got over the line against Millwall and Bristol City, games where I feel experienced managers would've easily seen out both games. It also can't be understated Riza has been charge against some of the poorer sides in the division.

There's options out there that have clear identities, something Cardiff have cried out for years, managers with experience in this division as well as managers who have had relatively successful careers to date, I feel those are options City simply can't refuse to pass up on.

In an ideal world, for me, City appoint a new manager, with Riza staying in some capacity, as his ideas are clearly exciting, however City need someone to be able to deal with certain situations in games better, as well as someone who can give Cardiff City a clear identity.

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