City’s manager in a confident mood ahead of trip to Elland Road
BOOSTED by three players’ contract extensions and a new signing, Cardiff City take on high flying Leeds United this Saturday in buoyant mood.
Ahead of the match, goalkeeper Jak Alnwick has had his one-year contract extension triggered, while Irishmen Callum Robinson and Callum O’Dowda have put pen to paper on new two and three-year deals, respectively.
Cardiff have also been active in the transfer market. Manolis Siopis, who has not featured heavily under Riza, announced on Friday that he is leaving the club, with a move to Greek club Panathinaikos expected.
That may open thre door for a debut for new signing Sivert Mannsverk, a midfielder brought in on loan from Ajax.
Table-toppers Leeds have a formidable home record, having won 11 of their last 12 at Elland Road, conceding only three goals in the process.
But the Bluebirds come into the fixture in a rich vein of form, having not lost in their last eight matches and Omer Riza is confident.
“I think we’re in the strongest position we can be going into a game like Leeds, we’ve got no other intention than going into the game to get a result,” he said.
“We went to Watford earlier in the season and beat them at home, where they hadn’t lost in 18 games. Why not? Why can’t we go to Leeds and get a result?
“I think we’ve got the players to hurt them if they make mistakes.”
Fans’ spirits are also currently high. Gethin Morgan, 26, a season ticket holder said: “At another point in the season I’d say we have no chance, but I think we can cause Leeds some trouble.
“The recent matches have created a bit of a buffer between us and the relegation zone, so I think it’s just free hit.”
Despite the feelgood factor at Cardiff City stadium, recent good results for their relegation rivals have kept them close to the relegation scrap.
The Bluebirds are currently four points above the relegation zone, but defeat against Leeds coupled with a win for Derby County would leave Cardiff just a point above the bottom three. However, Derby are on a run of six consecutive defeats in the Championship and face a tough task at home to second-placed Sheffield United.
Team news
Callum O’Dowda is expected to be available again after recovering from the hamstring strain he picked up in the derby win against Swansea City.
Mannsverk is fit and available and could make his debut at some point. The 22-year-old will be a much-needed reinforcement in the middle of the pitch, with Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull still unavailable due to injury. Riza has said his early impression of the Norwegian is that has a top attitude and character.
Ollie Tanner is expected to miss the game with a minor injury, while Isaak Davies is expected to return to training over the next two weeks.
