Omer Riza spoke to the press as the Bluebirds prepare to face Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s down to the players to pick themselves up after Wednesday’s performance,” Omer began. “Sometimes it’s not tactics, it’s not systems: it’s desire and quality instead.
"We didn’t do that in midweek and we are looking for a reaction. We are looking for energy to want to play, an intensity to want to play. We have to refocus now and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Riza discussed the importance of producing an improved performance against a Potters side who suffered a late midweek defeat to Luton Town.
“I think the first block of games really caught up to the players and they really had to knuckle down to get back to where they got to. There’s been a few injuries too and a bit of inconsistency, which never helps, but the performances need to be better.
"That might force my hand in the way we play, system wise. We still want to be on the front foot and still want to be able to attack, but there will be a few tweaks.”
Omer concluded by giving a fitness update on Kion Etete.
“Kion is training, and he’s been training with us for a while now. He’s putting in a little bit more having had a bit of a setback in the friendly game we had during the international break, but now he’s back out on the grass and training. He’s still not quite there yet, but he’s working towards getting back with us.”