'No other option' than to beat Luton
Omer Riza says Cardiff City have "no other option" than to beat fellow strugglers Luton Town in their Championship relegation scrap on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).The Hatters are bottom-but-one in the table, five points adrift of Cardiff, who occupy the place directly above the relegation zone.Both teams go into the game at the Cardiff City Stadium after weekend defeats to promotion contenders.Luton suffered a 4-0 thrashing at Burnley, while Cardiff went down 2-1 against Sunderland."It's another must-win game," said Bluebirds boss Riza."We are at home, our form hasn't been too bad at home. They are in the position that they are in and we need to win."It's a massive game, they're in trouble, we're in trouble and we need to get three points, there's no other option."
Like Cardiff, Luton have changed managers this season due to poor results. The Hatters appointed former Wycombe head coach Bloomfield in January, succeeding Rob Edwards, while Cardiff replaced Erol Bulut with Riza earlier in the season."They've made a managerial change and have got their problems but I'm not too interested in Luton and the problems they've got. We've got to look at ourselves, we need to get our points and to do it ASAP," added Riza."Fifty [points] is the target, we've just got to focus on trying to win games and pick up points."Cardiff's defeat at Sunderland means they have only one win from 18 away league games this season, but they have been more formidable opponents on their own patch.Defeat to Burnley last week was Cardiff's first loss in seven home fixtures in the second tier.Luton, meanwhile, have won just once in their past 14 league games, while they have banked only five points from a possible 54 on the road this season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
16 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Ker says Wrexham are all set to head to 'the Wild West'
A return to the second tier seemed an impossible dream during the Reds' decade-and-a-half non-league exile, however Phil Parkinson's side will be tackling the likes of Southampton, Sheffield United and Leicester City on an equal footing during the forthcoming campaign. Since being appointed into the hotseat by co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in July 2021, Parkinson has led Wrexham to three promotions and they are now preparing for a first tilt at the second tier in more than four decades. Looking ahead to the step-up to the Championship, Reds' community director Humphrey Ker told Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman on The Sports Agents podcast: "That was the Wild West for us! We always thought, League Two, League One, that's within our powers to deliver. "But, kind of, Championship... that's when you're swimming with the really big fish and Rob and Ryan - well, particularly Rob - had been going on about the Premier League. "Of course, we say... we talk about the Premier League, but really, you know, League One, let's focus on that and then, suddenly, here we are. "One promotion away from the Premier League. It's quite daunting in many respects." While the promotions have been celebrated by fans and players alike, they've also been well deserved, with plenty of hard work taking place behind the scenes. Ker added: "I think we do, collectively, pinch ourselves a lot. But then, ultimately, you find yourself going 'well yes, but of course we did work very hard' and we put the time in and we put in place our structure that we thought would get us to where we wanted to go. "Then (we) have been rewarded by, you know, you select the right people, you empower them, you support them and then, actually, it's not that surprising that they deliver in a way."
BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
Captain Ralls leaves Cardiff City
Cardiff City have confirmed captain Joe Ralls is leaving the the Bluebirds' longest-serving player, had initially been in discussions over potentially extending his 15-year stay at Cardiff City after talks with new manager Brian Barry-Murphy, the 31-year-old midfielder will move on when his contract expires at the end of this or right-back Andy Rinomhota is also set to depart with his three-year deal also not being renewed.A decision on their futures had been put on hold as the club awaited to appoint a successor to Omer Riza after demotion to League One, with Barry-Murphy being confirmed as new head coach last made 409 Cardiff appearances having joined the club's academy from Farnborough in featured in the club's first promotion to the Premier League in 2013 and was a key figure under Neil Warnock when Cardiff returned to the top flight in club captain in 2022, he is among the Bluebirds' top 10 appearance tribute to his impact at the south Wales club, Cardiff owned Vincent Tan said: "Players like Joe Ralls don't come around very often in the modern game. Joe has displayed incredible loyalty and love throughout his 15 years here."Whether it has been in the midfield, or showing leadership behind the scenes, and always joining in with our community, he has been a figurehead and a gentleman in everything he does. He has the respect of everyone at Cardiff City Football Club."
Wales Online
43 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Joe Ralls to leave Cardiff City after 15 years as Brian Barry-Murphy makes first big call
Joe Ralls to leave Cardiff City after 15 years as Brian Barry-Murphy makes first big call The midfielder and club captain will leave the club he joined back in 2010 Joe Ralls of Cardiff City (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) Cardiff City legend Joe Ralls will officially leave the club at the end of this month, putting an end to his 15-year career with the Bluebirds. It is understood club captain Ralls, 31, held talks with new manager Brian Barry-Murphy this week and it was decided that the midfielder would leave upon the completion of his contract at the end of this month. He made 409 appearances for Cardiff, scored 34 goals and helped the club to two Premier League promotions during his stellar stint in the Welsh capital. It is a mark of the man that, even knowing he would fall one game short of triggering an automatic one-year extension, he still played the final two matches of last season not fully fit in a bid to help the club stay in the Championship. The decision to let Ralls leave is a major first call for new manager Barry-Murphy in the first week of his new job and perhaps points towards how he wants to shape his squad this summer and beyond. Ralls' industry, bite and leadership were all admirable qualities, however the Irishman clearly wants to go a different way in terms of the technical make-up of that midfield. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community On a similar note, it is also understood that Andy Rinomhota, who this year won the Players' Player of the Season, is likely to leave this month, too. Article continues below It is rare for one player to have such longevity in football these days and he will doubtless leave with the best wishes of the Bluebirds faithful and, indeed, owner Vincent Tan. "Players like Joe Ralls don't come around very often in the modern game. Joe has displayed incredible loyalty and love throughout his 15 years here," Tan said in a statement. "Whether it has been in the midfield, or showing leadership behind the scenes, and always joining in with our community, he has been a figurehead and a gentleman in everything he does. He has the respect of everyone at Cardiff City Football Club. Thank you, Joe." Ralls features in the top 10 of all-time appearance-makers for Cardiff City. He would have climbed higher in that list, too, were it not for his injury record over recent seasons. But with a new manager at the helm and the club readying themselves for the unfamiliar challenge of League One, all parties decided this was the best call in the interest of Cardiff City moving forward. It is understood the player already has offers on the table. "It has been a great pleasure to work with a consummate professional and wonderful human in Joe," said chairman Mehmet Dalman. 'He has led by example every single day. We wish nothing but the utmost success to Joe for the remainder of his playing career and thank him immensely for his efforts with the club.' CEO and executive director Ken Choo said: 'Joe has been a wonderful representative for our football club over the past 15 years. His story from the academy to leading the team is a great inspiration to those coming through. 'I'd like to personally thank Joe for everything he has done for Cardiff City and wish him luck in the future.' Article continues below The club have already confirmed Aaron Ramsey, Jamilu Collins, Raheem Conte, Anwar El Ghazi, Kieron Evans, Dimitrios Goutas and Yakou Méïté will leave this month, too, with Rinomhota also likely to join that group. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
