Riza post-Millwall | The players stepped up

Omer Riza spoke to the press after Cardiff City picked up their first win of the season against Millwall.

“I think it’s relief more than anything else,” Omer began. “When you haven’t picked up three points in seven games, it’s frustrating and disappointing; disappointing for the fans, the club, the players, the staff. 

"To get that win today against a team that is so hard play against, whether they’re home or away, they’re always aggressive and we had to match that.

“The players stepped up defensively, we fought them for the whole game. We had to deal with a lot of problems, we had to clean up, we managed to get that goal and then held on for the win. So, overall, I'm really happy.

“Attacking wise, I think we got bodies forward again and got in good positions. It was more about being defensively robust. We had to be that today and we were, and we managed to get the result that we wanted.”

Plenty of Bluebirds stood out in tonight’s win, but Alex Robertson’s performance caught the eye of many, including Riza.

He continued: “Alex is excellent and a great young player. He’s got a great character, he works hard in training, he’s a great lad. He’s got a lot of ability, and he’s got a great future ahead of him.

"For me, it was important that he played those forward passes. With the way I want to play and wanting bodies forward, we need people to make those passes, and he proved today that he can do that.

“When he got the ball, he was able to play it from one side to the other, played them over the top, and he did that against Hull, and that’s the reason he started today. On top of that, he’s aggressive out of possession. Him and Rallsy [Joe Ralls] were excellent, and all the team were brilliant.”

Riza concluded by looking ahead to Sunday’s Severnside derby against Bristol City.

“All games are tough in the Championship, everyone knows that,” Omer concluded. “It’s another game where we will get the boys up for it. It’s a big game, it’s an important game, but every game is important, and we want to try and approach every game in the same way. 

“We will obviously try and win it, but if we don’t win it, then we don’t want to lose it. We’ll prepare for it, and we will go in with the same energy and mentality and hopefully pick up the three points.”

Watch more from Omer, Jak Alnwick and Perry Ng on Cardiff City TV.