Cardiff City boss Omer Riza reacts to Neil Warnock speculation following Sheffield United defeat

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Cardiff City are staring the possibility of relegation in the face after their 2-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last night.

Of the teams in the Championship relegation battle,, Cardiff are now in the worst form and have shown no signs of having what it takes to get out of trouble in recent weeks.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
17	PrestonPreston	43	10	19	14	44	53	-9	49
18	PortsmouthPortsmouth	43	13	10	20	55	69	-14	49
19	Oxford UnitedOxford United	43	12	12	19	43	61	-18	48
20	Hull CityHull City	43	11	12	20	41	51	-10	45
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

With three games to go, Cardiff are currently sitting in 23rd place in the Championship table, but are just one point behind Derby County and Luton Town above them. The mini-league is not one they are currently winning, though.

Defeat is a disaster for Cardiff after a month ago Omer Riza was clear about the ‘target’ his Cardiff side needed to achieve if they wanted to get out of trouble. Since then, they’ve failed to improve, going backwards instead.

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Omer Riza comments on Cardiff future amid Neil Warnock talk

The Championship is the best league in the world, where anyone can beat anyone, but the Blades came out on top as many expected in a ding-dong clash. In many ways, Sheffield United will have been desperate to beat Cardiff, and the Bluebirds have an awful record against the Blades.

They did just that and the mess means it’s been suggested Riza should leave, and Neil Warnock is primed to take over, as our EFL Analysis exclusive detailed. With three games to go, Riza was questioned by Sky Sports on that link and on his future with the club amid the Warnock talk.

He said: “I’m not prepared to comment on those things at the moment. It’s got nothing to do with me at this stage.

“What’s important. for me, is that the team are ready. That they are ready to compete and fight for every point that we are playing for.

“If that is the case, then I have to just continue as I am and wait for that time to come. As it stands, there has not been any talk or conversation I’ve had.

“Like I’ve said, fully focussed on what we want to do. The players are focussed on what they need to do, as are the staff.

“That’s where we will be, right to the end.”

Warnock found a way to succeed at Cardiff in the past, and he’s performed miracles at other clubs in relegation dogfights to become a bit of an EFL specialist. Over the years, he’s become a master of the Championship.

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Omer Riza’s managerial record with Cardiff City

Cardiff will be in big trouble no matter who is in charge, with Opta’s supercomputer painting a bleak picture for the team ahead of the final three games. Sheffield United were the better team all over the pitch, but Cardiff nows simply have to put together a run of form to survive the drop.

Riza inherited a dire situation when he joined, having drawn one and lost six of the first seven games. Those games could be what sends them down more then Riza, having been 19th in the form table since his arrival.

Oxford United on Monday is a must-win and they then must compete with Norwich City and West Brom, hoping beyond anything that both sides are totally on the beach.