Erol Bulut Admits Cardiff City Win Was Pretty Crucial . . . But Not Pretty
Erol Bulut believes he has stopped the rot at Cardiff City with a victory he admitted was crucial for a team that had lost its way.
The Bluebirds manager insisted his team can improve their level of football after their nervy 2-1 home victory over Stoke City.
But as exercise in repairing self-belief and restoring optimism for the remainder of the season, Bulut conceded the result was everything.
“When we had the last win at home, it was a long time ago. The confidence was not the best in the team because we lost games,” he said.
“I said after the last game (against Blackburn), ‘this is a game where we have to get our confidence back’. We got one point and this game was to continue to build on our confidence.
“It was a must today to get three points. I’m really satisfied with the performance of the team.
“Of course, you can add in parts of the game, better football, but in the situation we’re in right now, the first half was really good. We scored two goals, we got an early goal from a free-kick.
Cardiff ended their six-game winless run at home and scored their first Championship goals at home since Boxing Day.
It also kept the club nine points clear of the relegation zone after Sheffield Wednesday, QPR and Millwall all won.
The result will ease some of the pressure on Bulut, although with the manager out of contract this summer – and no talks yet begun over a new deal – his future remains uncertain.
“But football is pressure. Our job is pressure. This how we have to live,” added Bulut.
“Whether it’s the manager or the player. Okay, sometimes it’s not good to have so much pressure, especially when you are young as a player.
“So, how to handle it. At home there’s been a bit of pressure because it’s been a long time since we have won. This makes pressure.
“The fans want to win at home and to see the three points. They want to see good football. Of course, it’s not easy. Tuesday was a draw. A game we could win but we didn’t.
“To get the confidence back was important. Our offensive part scored the goals and now the confidence, I think the players are on a better level than they’ve been 10 days before.”
