Omer Riza says “togetherness” is key for Cardiff City as the Bluebirds head into a potentially pivotal spell in their season.
Cardiff host Championship leaders Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the first of five league games in a fortnight.
After a seven-match winless run which has left Cardiff just a point above the bottom three, the hectic festive fixture schedule offers Riza’s side a chance to pull clear of the relegation scrap.
The Cardiff boss says unity between his team, supporters and the rest of the club will be central to their hopes of putting together a positive run.
“I think the biggest factor for me is making sure everybody’s together,” he said.
“That’s fans, that’s players, that’s the club – there has to be an element of togetherness. I think maybe the players have felt that a little bit at home and hopefully we can change that.
“We can only change that through our own performances. We have to be brave, play with confidence, enjoy what we are doing and pick up as many points we can.”
After a flying start to the Riza era, Cardiff have banked only three points from seven games as they prepare to face the Blades, who arrive in Wales on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run.
“For me it’s the best team I the league at the moment,” Riza added.
“It will be a really tough game, but it’s one we are relishing and one we feel we can do well in.”