"A real worry" - Sky Sports pundit questions big Vincent Tan decision at Cardiff City | OneFootball

Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World about Cardiff City and Omer Riza

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has questioned controversial Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan for the process behind the appointment of Omer Riza, who recently became the club's latest permanent manager following much deliberation and an extensive spell in charge on an interim basis.

The Bluebirds' high managerial turnover returned when Erol Bulut was relieved of his duties back in September following an abject start to the campaign, which left Cardiff staring down the barrel of relegation despite pre-season excitement among supporters and the expectation to build on last term's solid 12th-placed finish.

Bulut failed to win any of his opening six league matches at the opening of the 2024/25 season before ultimately receiving his marching orders after a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United on September 21, which saw then-first-team coach Riza step up to lead the team in the interim.

It was initially expected that Cardiff would conduct a patient search in order to make a permanent external appointment. However, everybody was surprised when the Bluebirds chalked up a six-match unbeaten streak under Riza, a run which included four straight victories at home as the case grew for the 45-year-old to take over full-time.

Contentiously, Tan resisted what once appeared a compelling call for more than two months before finally handing the reins to Riza permanently, but the uncertainty and lack of clarity had been frustrating for all involved - most notably the supporters and Riza himself.

The bounce didn't last and Cardiff are now without a win in seven games, while the club itself is quite arguably in its most apathetic state ahead of an impending relegation battle for the third time in just four years.

Don Goodman's Omer Riza, Cardiff City verdict

Goodman has raised issue with the delay which surrounded the eventual permanent appointment of Riza, and he believes Cardiff are now in a position where they may simply be hoping the Championship contains three worse teams, with question marks surrounding any potential investment in the upcoming January window.

The Sky Sports pundit said via CoinPoker: "It's been a tough season for Cardiff. The initial bounce they had after sacking Erol Bulut feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?

"They haven't won in seven which is a real worry and I don't think the hierarchy helped things by the delay in giving Omar Riza the job on a permanent basis. It sent out a message that they weren't quite sure about him or that they didn't quite have faith in him. Otherwise, they would have given Riza the job a lot earlier than they actually did.

"That would have been felt by the players which makes it a difficult task. Are they going to back him in January? Well, the summer recruitment looks poor in hindsight and they're struggling at both ends of the pitch.

"I wonder whether, for Cardiff City, it will be a case of them just hoping there are three worse teams than them in the Championship.

"They're in a rut and need to get themselves out of it. Conceding in additional time against Stoke certainly won't help them."

Cardiff City, Omer Riza will hope for a big January transfer window under Vincent Tan

Cardiff are going to need to get it right in January if they're to stay in the Championship. As Goodman alludes to, the summer recruitment simply wasn't good enough, chiefly due to the ill-visioned squad building which took place as Cardiff attracted talented individuals but precious few of the profiles in which the squad continues to cry out for.

Alex Robertson has proven himself to be an inspired signing, and you do feel as though the best is yet to come from the likes of Chris Willock, Anwar El Ghazi, Callum Chambers and Jesper Daland, but there is a fundamental lack of attacking tempo in this side, with the absence of pace and goals sorely felt once again.

That's exaclty where Cardiff must improve in January, and Riza will be hoping that Tan affords him the requisite backing to improve the side and aid their survival bid.