{"id":91484,"date":"2025-01-31T15:16:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T15:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=91484"},"modified":"2025-01-31T15:16:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T15:16:04","slug":"bluebirds-boss-riza-says-cardiff-have-the-players-to-hurt-table-toppers-leeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/01\/31\/bluebirds-boss-riza-says-cardiff-have-the-players-to-hurt-table-toppers-leeds\/","title":{"rendered":"Bluebirds boss Riza says Cardiff ‘have the players to hurt’ table-toppers Leeds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

City’s manager in a confident mood ahead of trip to Elland Road<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

BOOSTED by three players’ contract extensions and a new signing, Cardiff City take on high flying Leeds United this Saturday in buoyant mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the match, goalkeeper Jak Alnwick has had his one-year contract extension triggered, while Irishmen Callum Robinson and Callum O\u2019Dowda have put pen to paper on new two and three-year deals, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That may open thre door for a debut for new signing Sivert Mannsverk, a midfielder brought in on loan from Ajax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re in the strongest position we can be going into a game like Leeds, we\u2019ve got no other intention than going into the game to get a result,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe went to Watford earlier in the season and beat them at home, where they hadn\u2019t lost in 18 games. Why not? Why can\u2019t we go to Leeds and get a result?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I think we’ve got the players to hurt them if they make mistakes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fans\u2019 spirits are also currently high. Gethin Morgan, 26, a season ticket holder said: \u201cAt another point in the season I\u2019d say we have no chance, but I think we can cause Leeds some trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe recent matches have created a bit of a buffer between us and the relegation zone, so I think it\u2019s just free hit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the feelgood factor at Cardiff City stadium, recent good results for their relegation rivals have kept them close to the relegation scrap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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