Cardiff City go to Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with Omer Riza plotting changes to his starting side – and potentially his system – on the back of their dismal home defeat by Preston North End.

The Bluebirds produced the most dispiriting performance of a turbulent campaign as they succumbed to a Preston side who had not won away all season before Wednesday night.

It is now a six games without a win for Cardiff, whose form has dipped alarmingly after an initial upturn after Riza took charge in September following the sacking of Erol Bulut.

“The drop-off has been coming over three or four games,” Riza said.

“I think the first block [of games] really caught up with the players. They had to knuckle down to get back to where they got to.

“Now we have had a few injuries which haven’t helped, but the performances need to be better. It might force my hand in respect of the way we play system-wise. Maybe I’ll tweak that.

“I will always want to be on the front foot and want to attack, but there will be a few tweaks and a few things we need to discuss.”

Cardiff travel to Stoke having avoided defeat in their last two away games, though they have not won on road as yet this season.

The Potters are also under pressure to deliver a result after three straight defeats and no win in their last six games.