Omer Riza has urged Cardiff City to show recent improvements have not been a flash in the pan by proving their progress at home to Burnley on Tuesday night.
The Bluebirds will host Scott Parker’s promotion hopefuls with both sides looking to bounce back from FA Cup exits over the weekend.
Cardiff put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to Premier League Aston Villa, while Burnley suffered a shock defeat at the hands of fellow Championship outfit Preston.
More surprisingly, the Clarets conceded three goals—an anomaly for a team that has been setting defensive benchmarks all season.
Burnley are on track to shatter multiple records, having already amassed 25 clean sheets in the league.
This includes a remarkable streak of 12 consecutive shutouts, just two short of matching Manchester United’s record of 14 in English football.
They have also conceded just nine goals in the Championship so far, putting them in contention to challenge Chelsea’s historic record of 15 goals conceded in the 2004-05 season.
Cardiff, though, have struggled at the back, including a humbling seven-goal loss to Leeds United last month.
Only three teams have conceded more than their 55 goals this term.
However, Riza highlighted the resilience his side showed at Villa Park, holding elite European competition at bay for 68 minutes.
READ MORE: Omer Riza Tells Cardiff City Players To Hold Heads High, Despite FA Cup Defeat
"We've been doing well – we've lost two in 12 – so our run's been okay," said Riza, whose team sits five points clear of the relegation zone.
"So we're working off something solid and the boys have proved their levels of defensive focus against a very good Premier League side who are in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
"We can take heart from that. Burnley is a tough game against a side who don't concede many goals, but we go into it with a lot of confidence.
"If we are solid and focussed and don't concede goals, we have proven we have the potential to score goals – and that's what we are looking to do."
Cardiff have only recorded four clean sheets in the league, but their most recent one came just last week in a crucial home victory over fellow relegation battlers Hull City.
Riza is eager for his players to harness the momentum from their valiant Villa display as they enter the final 12 matches of the season.
"The momentum we've gained from the cup run for the league has been great with respect to our confidence levels. We're out now and our focus is on the league and we'll take the positives into it.
"Our performance levels have been good and we've been unlucky at times picking up one point instead of all three.
"The defensive focus is something we'll take into the league because we've proven we can do it."
READ MORE: Omer Riza Tells Cardiff City Players They Lack Bravery
In a boost for the Bluebirds, on-loan Leicester City winger Will Alves could make his return from injury.
Alves has made an encouraging impact since joining from the Foxes.
His last appearance against Plymouth Argyle saw him register his first senior assist, delivering a precise low cross for Yousef Salech to open the scoring in a 1-1 draw.
However, Alves limped off with a knock and subsequently missed the clashes against Hull City and Aston Villa.
Riza is hopeful the 19-year-old could return against Burnley.
"Ollie Tanner won't be ready, Dave Turnbull won't be ready," Riza confirmed after the Villa match. "They are still a fair way off.
"Will Alves will potentially be back in the squad. We need to get back in training, train on Sunday and Monday and re-assess everything for the game on Tuesday."
"Ollie Tanner won't be ready, Dave Turnbull won't be ready," Riza said. "They are still a fair way off.
"Will Alves will potentially be back in the squad. We need to get back in train, train on Sunday and Monday and re-assess everything for the game on Tuesday."
