Aaron Ramsey shares big demand for Cardiff City players ahead of first game in charge vs Oxford United

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Cardiff City chiefs made the big decision to part ways with Omer Riza after their latest defeat, and Aaron Ramsey has surprisingly been put in charge until the end of the season.

The Bluebirds have been sliding down the table in recent weeks and now find themselves in 23rd place after defeat to Sheffield United on Friday evening.

Cardiff have been the most out of form side in the Championship relegation battle of late, leading to Omer Riza being forthcoming about his future at the club, even admitting he would leave if that was the best thing for the team.

Whether he really meant it or not, Riza was removed from his position the day after that defeat at Bramall Lane, with club captain Aaron Ramsey installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

• READ MORE: Cardiff City boss Omer Riza reacts to Neil Warnock speculation following Sheffield United defeat

Aaron Ramsey’s message to Cardiff City fans ahead of final run-in

We had expected Neil Warnock to take the Cardiff job, but the decision to put Ramsey in charge could be seen as the club thinking longer-term.

Still, the man himself only has one thing on his mind, and that’s the impending clash with Oxford United on Monday.

Speaking for the first time as manager, Ramsey said (via Wales Online): “There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’re ready for that, we’re prepared. We’ll have meetings tomorrow to get the boys in the best possible place. Hopefully we’ll get the lads in a good place to be able to show what we’re all about, and get that momentum going.

“Oxford are a well structured team, and have done well of late. We’re expecting a tough game, but we’ll be working on things this evening, and hopefully we can cause them a few problems. The energy and intensity that we want to play at will ask them some questions.

“I’m looking for a really energetic performance, on the front foot, and hopefully we can implement the way that I see the game into the match on Monday.”

Rousing stuff from the skipper-turned-gaffer, and it sounds like Ramsey expects a marked improvement from his colleagues from here on out.

Cardiff have looked utterly lifeless in recent weeks, so surely it can’t get much worse under Ramsey’s stewardship.

• READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg reveals why Neil Warnock once gave him 0/10 rating that almost cost him Premier League status

Can Aaron Ramsey save Cardiff?

The big question is, though, is it too late for Ramsey (or indeed anyone) to save Cardiff from the drop. To be honest, yes, it probably is.

Cardiff may only be one point behind 21st-placed Derby County right now, but it’s hard to see where those crucial points are coming from for the Bluebirds.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
21	DerbyDerby	43	11	10	22	44	55	-11	43
22	LutonLuton	43	11	10	22	38	63	-25	43
23	CardiffCardiff	43	9	15	19	45	68	-23	42
24	PlymouthPlymouth	43	9	13	21	45	84	-39	40

In that relegation mini-league right now, Cardiff are definitely the weakest team, and it would take quite the dramatic turnaround from Ramsey and co. to climb out of trouble.

Hopefully, for their sake, we’ll see a new manager bounce, but given Ramsey’s inexperience in the role, we shouldn’t expect a miracle. Perhaps Cardiff will live to regret not getting Warnock in.