By Gareth James
Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut admitted that doubts about his future could be impacting on his players have hid side were outclassed 2-0 by Sunderland at the Cardiff City Stadium.
A second successive defeat – Cardiff had lost 2-0 to Welsh rivals Swansea before the international break – ended the Bluebirds’ slim play-off hopes.
Erol Bulut’s one-year contract expires at the end of the season and the Bluebirds manager conceded that uncertainty over his future could be impacting on performances.
🗣️ "I was expecting a different game from us, and we were ready. To see this performance today, it hurts."
Watch Erol's post-match reaction on @CardiffCityTV ⬇️#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 29, 2024
Bulut said: “It can be (affecting players). I don’t have any problems. I respect it from the board if they are not coming with a new offer.
“I’m focusing on my job until the end of the season. Until now we haven’t had any communication about that, so let’s see.”
On a poor performance, Bulut added: “During the international break, the players trained really well so I was expecting a much better game.
“To see that performance, it hurts. I have to be honest, from the 39 games we’ve played this season, this was one of the worst.”
Sunderland interim manager Mike Dodds hailed the impact of Jobe Bellingham as a centre-forward after Sunderland claimed their first win since February 10.
🗣 "We only have eight games to play, and everybody knows where we want to be."
📺 Watch more from Erol and KG on @CardiffCityTV 👇#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 29, 2024
Bellingham, the 18-year-old younger brother of England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude, won an early penalty before scoring his seventh goal of the season in all-round mature performance.
“We should be excited about his performance, something we can build on moving forward,” said Dodds, who revealed he has held conversations with Bellingham about his best position after tending to play him in midfield.
“He’s scored a goal and done well in the the game. He’s a coach’s dream, if I said go and play in goal he would just crack on with it.
“What he has got, which many number nines don’t have in this league, is unbelievable quality with his feet – a centre-midfielder playing up front.
“He gave us a platform to play off but you’ve got to remember he’s a second-year scholar playing in the Championship.
“He’s 18 and I know he carries the weight of his brother, which I think sometimes is unfair.
“But if you put that to one side, you’ve just seen a second-year scholar who has been exceptional and should be playing youth-team football.”
It ends in defeat for City.#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/7elzDc9T8O
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 29, 2024