Riza likens Cardiff to 'pressure cooker ready to explode'
Cardiff City interim manager Omer Riza says the club feels "like a big pressure cooker ready to explode", following their 2-0 home defeat by Queen's Park Rangers.
Despite winning four of his first seven games in charge, alongside two draws and a defeat, the Bluebirds find themselves just one point and one place above the Championship relegation zone.
Since that initial uplift, the Londoner has seen his side pick up just one point from the last four games.
Riza's future at the club remains unclear, and he reiterated that he was waiting for the board to make a decision.
"Everyone thinks I've got to win every game and that's how I'm feeling, it's stressful," said Riza.
"It's part and parcel of being a manager to take responsibility and I've done that, I won't shirk that responsibility, I've worked really hard to get to this point in my career.
"I'm not going to sit here and hammer the players, we beat ourselves today and we will fix that.
"I want to protect the boys and the staff, because it's a tough position that we are in. There's a lot of pressure, it's like a big pressure cooker ready to explode."
Zan Celar's first goals of the season ensured QPR picked up all three points in the Welsh capital on Wednesday evening, lifting them off the bottom of the table.
The Bluebirds had almost 70% possession in the game, but for long periods were limited to long-range efforts and half chances.
"I am trying to steer the club into a direction that makes all of us happy going home, the fans, the players, the club, the staff," added Riza.
"I'm managing all of that at the moment, because it was a right mess [when I took over].
"The players are disappointed right now. They are sat in the dressing room and they are quiet, angry at each other.
"Sometimes it just doesn't happen. This game was not a game we've lost because we weren't good enough.
"We didn't do things the way we needed to, to score the goals."
Asked about his future, Riza said the question could only be answered by those higher up, but added he believed he had done enough to get the job on a permanent basis.
"I've had a good audition as far as I'm concerned," said Riza.
"I'm a fighter and I believe that's what this club needs. Now it's down to the board to make a decision moving forwards.
"I'm going to continue with the job, continue working hard. You [the media] are probably bored but I'm not going to give any different answers.
"I'm also not going to change. I'm going to make sure the team is in a good place, working hard, playing good football and winning games."
