Cardiff City boss Omer Riza says he was pleased to see forward Isaak Davies score as he made his first start of the season for the Bluebirds.
Riza was disappointed with the manner of his side’s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, but praised goalscorer Davies who found the net in his first start of an injury-hit campaign.
The Wales under-21 international has returned from a serious hamstring issue and has also seen his contract extended until 2026 in a campaign where he has featured just four times.
“Isaak has been out a long time injured, he’s got himself back, he’s got a new contact now as well and it was nice to see him out there,” Riza told BBC Radio Wales Sport.
“That was the plan today, to let him go out and open up and he’s quick and aggressive on that top line and he’s followed it in well and got a goal and I am pleased for him.
“We’ve got youngsters coming through and doing well and that’s a positive, but winning games is more important at the minute.”
Riza was upset after a late freekick routine saw Wales international defender Chris Mepham score the winner for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
“In open play they didn’t cause us a problem,” Riza said.
“The goal came from a set-piece where we had to do better and we didn’t and we got punished for it.
“To let in a goal from a soft freekick is highly disappointing and frustrating.”
Cardiff are now four points above the Championship relegation zone and next face Luton who are in the bottom three.
“We should have picked up a point against Burnley [in midweek] and today and we haven’t done it, it’s disappointing,” Riza added.
“We’ve still got a lot of tough games left and we’ve got to win them.”