When Callum Robinson scored after just 55 seconds to give Cardiff City a surprise 1-0 lead at Watford, the Republic of Ireland forward immediately ran to the touchline to celebrate with manager Omer Riza.

It was a clear message of support for the man confirmed in the role for the remainder of the season less than a month ago, but already under pressure after a string of poor results.

"Yeah, really unexpected, great feeling," said Riza of Robinson's gesture.

"What can I say, it's a great feeling at that moment for him to do that and I thanked him for that as well because I didn't expect it, it's a lovely feeling."

Robinson went on to score a second as Cardiff ended a nine-match winless streak with a performance that should dispel any suggestions the players are not playing for their manager.

"I don't think there's ever been any doubt about that from my perspective," added Riza.

"They're a great bunch. They work really hard, things are just not working at the minute and it's hard when it gets like that.

"It's really difficult but they're taking things on board and the proof there today [at Watford] just shows that they're fighting and they have to otherwise we will be in trouble."

And following that bright start, which initially saw the Bluebirds climb out of the Championship's bottom three, just three points from the following nine games has led to speculation that Riza might not keep the job until the end of the season after all.

"I can't control the uncontrollables, all I can do is control what my job is and that's to get the team trying to get results," responded Riza, whose side are back in the bottom three despite Sunday's victory which ended Watford's unbeaten home record this season.

"Some results have gone against us, it's not that we're not working hard, it's not that we're not trying, it's not that we don't want to win.

"I said the other day, we can lose against the teams around us and potentially beat the teams above us and we've done that today and it's a start again, hopefully a little bit more belief again, and keep trying to go."

The victory at Vicarage Road was not without cost. Chris Willock was forced off midway through the second half with a groin problem and is a doubt for the New Year's Day home game against Coventry City (15:00 GMT).

Full-back Callum O'Dowda also left the field just before the final whistle to add to Cardiff's lengthy injury list.

"It's another player we are going to have to look at, assess it and see where he's at with it really," said Riza of the Republic of Ireland left-back.

"Hopefully it's not too bad and we can get him ready for the Coventry game, but we are light on our feet.

"I don't won't to make excuses because every time you ask me a question and I say a player is not feeling good or we've got injuries it can be misconstrued as another excuse.

"There's no excuses, everyone is in the same boat, we need to try and get results and we'll try to do that."