Cardiff City

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Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut says the club "don't need to dream" of a play-off push and should focus instead on securing their Championship safety.

Despite receiving financial backing in January, Cardiff have slipped to eight points off the play-off places after their 2-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Bulut says Cardiff now need to focus on ensuring their survival, with the Bluebirds 11-points above the drop zone.

“I said it would not be easy for us and that we didn’t have to dream about things," Bulut said.

“We have to go hard in the final 15 games.

“Now we have to fight to get the points to be safe.

“In my opinion I don’t think we will have a problem with that [relegation fight] but this is football and in football you never know, it can be quick that you go high and it can also be the opposite way.

“But I’m an optimist and think we will come positive, back again.”

Joseph Thompson
Social media journalist

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The last time Cardiff City beat West Brom was more than four years ago.

28 January, 2020, to be precise.

At the time, West Brom were top of the Championship table, whereas hosts Cardiff were mid-table.

Callum Paterson, who now plays for Sheffield Wednesday, put the Bluebirds ahead early in the second half.

The Baggies equalised in the 61st minute through former Premier League striker Charlie Austin who netted from the penalty spot.

But Lee Tomlin scored a superb free-kick 15 minutes later to earn Cardiff all three points.

Since that day, West Brom have beaten Cardiff twice and they have drawn on three occasions.

Fast forward to present day and the teams are in a similar situation. West Brom sit fifth in the table and Cardiff are currently mid-table in 14th.

Past five meetings

Cardiff City 0-1 West Bromwich Albion - 28 November, 2023

Cardiff City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion - 15 March, 2023

West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Cardiff City - 17 August, 2022

West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Cardiff City - 2 January, 2022

Cardiff City 0-4 West Bromwich Albion - 28 September, 2021

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Cardiff City's Championship trip to face Bristol City on Saturday, 2 March will kick off at the earlier time of 12:30 GMT.

The match at Ashton Gate had originally been scheduled for a 15:00 GMT start.

The Bluebirds will now have early kick-offs two Saturdays in a row, with their 9 March fixture at home to Ipswich Town chosen for television coverage by Sky Sports.

Cardiff were 2-0 winners when Bristol City travelled to south Wales for the reverse fixture in October, with Perry Ng and Rubin Colwill on the scoresheet.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales

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Cardiff City have become used to struggling at home.

Saturday's deflating 2-0 defeat by Preston means it is now two months since the Bluebirds last tasted victory at Cardiff City Stadium. The smattering of boos at the final whistle told their own story.

This season had actually started promisingly, with Cardiff winning four of their first five Championship games under Erol Bulut.

But since then, their only home victories have come against Bristol City in October and Millwall in early December.

Having been strongly in play-off contention in the autumn, Cardiff are now drifting into the lower reaches of mid-table obscurity.

Their tally of six league home wins has already matched their total for the 2022-23 campaign, while it is one short of the seven the managed in 2021-22, the second-worst record in the Championship that season.

Bulut has undoubtedly overseen an improvement this term but the decline in performances - as well as results - is a cause for concern.

Cardiff have been particularly blunt at home, scoring a meagre 18 goals from 15 games and offering little excitement in open play.

It is no wonder the atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium has suffered.

The Preston game was a case in point, with the Bluebirds' fans in fine voice during the early stages but becoming understandably frustrated as their team faded as the match wore on.

Bulut has been at a loss to explain why performance levels have dropped to such an extent, even if he believes his side should have picked up more home wins than the six they've managed.

He points to defeats against Norwich, West Brom and QPR as home games Cardiff should not have lost but, in truth, they were far from inspiring in any of those encounters.

Bulut lamented his side's loss of confidence after Saturday's defeat against Preston, while urging patience as new signings bed in.

Fans have voiced their support for Bulut and his players this season but, unless the team's displays and results improve, that patience might soon start wearing thin.

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Erol Bulut says patience is required at Cardiff City as the Bluebirds’ January signings settle at their new club.

Nat Phillips and David Turnbull made their first Cardiff starts in Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Preston, while Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Famara Diedhiou featured as substitutes.

Cardiff’s new recruits have no time to settle, with another four Championship games to come in the next 13 days.

But Bulut believes it would be unfair to expect his signings to make an immediate impact.

"We need patience, all of us," the Cardiff manager said.

"We've got new players, four or five new players.

"We try to get them adapted to the team quickly. I thought Nat was quite good, Wilson came in, but they have to know their team-mates much better and their movements.

"This will come over the next few games.

“They are not even one week here. It’s why I always said I’d like players at the start of January. Now we have a period where many games are close together.

“We have to continue to show them what they need to do.”

Ethan Horvath was the only one of Cardiff’s mid-season signings who did not make it on to the pitch against Preston, with Jak Alnwick preferred to the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper.

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If Cardiff City could cling to one positive from Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Preston North End, it was the long-awaited return of Aaron Ramsey.

The Wales captain came on at half-time, having been out since September because of a knee injury.

Cardiff were already 2-0 down by the time Ramsey appeared, though his return prompted a standing ovation from the Bluebirds fans.

"He was a long time away, four months," said manager Erol Bulut.

"It's not easy for him to come in and change everything. He tried a lot - maybe in positions where he could have passed, he tried a shot. But this is normal.

"It's not easy to get your form back after four months away but, with minutes like this today, he will adapt better and get up to speed."

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Manager Erol Bulut lamented Cardiff City's loss of confidence as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Preston in the Championship on Saturday.

Despite starting brightly, the Bluebirds conceded two goals in the space of 10 first-half minutes.

Cardiff have now gone two months without winning at home.

“We started really well in the first 30 minutes, until we conceded from their first shot. Then our confidence went a bit down," said Bulut.

“For their second goal, I thought there was a foul on Kion [Etete]. The referee allowed a lot of fouls. We don’t play rugby – we play football.

“There were more faults from us – we can’t say this is why we lost the game – but these are key details. Generally, the game was under control but three shots from the opponent, two goals.”

Bulut was booked for complaining about what he thought was a foul on Etete in the build-up to Preston's second goal.

"I could have had a red card if I had continued but it would not have changed the referee’s decision," he said.

"They also only gave six minutes added time, which was not enough because the opponent was wasting time. It should have been at least nine minutes.

"The game? They made it slow after it was 2-0. You can understand that. But it was too much, so you have to add time."

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Cardiff City go in search of just a second home win since October this weekend with Erol Bulut telling his team they must manage games better on their own patch.

The Bluebirds have won six home league matches this season, which as many as they managed throughout the 2022-23 campaign.

Yet four of those successes came in the first five Championship games at the Cardiff City Stadium this term.

Since then, their only home victories have come against Bristol City in October and Millwall in early December.

“We could have had a few more [home] wins,” Bulut said.

“But the thing is we were leading and losing the leads in the last 10 minutes.

“Norwich we shouldn’t lose, West Brom we shouldn’t lose, QPR we shouldn’t lose. There are many games where we could take at least one point but couldn’t manage it.

“When we are leading we have to keep the ball and keep the opposition away from our goal.”

Cardiff take on Preston North End on Saturday afternoon having been lifted by last week’s 1-0 win at Watford, which ended a three-game losing streak in all competitions.

They have also been boosted by a busy end to the transfer window, with Ethan Horvath, Nat Phillips, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, David Turnbull and Famara Diedhiou in contention to make home Cardiff debuts against the Lilywhites.

“The [Watford] win gave us a lot of confidence,” Bulut said.

“We needed that when we see the last games and also the players were frustrated.

“Now we have got the players in, good quality. For the price limits we had, we got good players in.

“They helped us last week and also this week they will get minutes.”

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Erol Bulut believes new recruit David Turnbull will be a “really interesting player” for Cardiff City.

The Scotland midfielder, 24, arrived from Celtic during the mid-season transfer window for a reported fee of close to £2m.

Cardiff boss Bulut says Turnbull can play anywhere in midfield and feels the former Motherwell player will add to the Bluebirds’ attacking threat.

“He had three years in Celtic, in a big team,” Bulut said.

“He is 24 so he has experience. He scored and assisted many goals.

“On the offensive part he will bring us attempts to score and of course he can read the game.

“The quality he has with passing accuracy… sometimes he can make it quick when we have to be quick and slow when we have to be slow.

“He can be really effective for us. He can be a really interesting and important player.”

Turnbull could make his first Cardiff start at Preston North End on Saturday having come off the bench during last weekend’s 1-0 win at Watford.

Fellow new recruits Nat Phillips, Ethan Horvath, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Famara Diedhiou could also feature.

“For sure the new players will help us, but we also have to help them,” Bulut added.

“We have to be patient, as manager and coaching staff, and also the fans of course.”

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There's a new kick-off time for Cardiff City's home Championship match against Ipswich Town on Saturday, 9 March.

Originally scheduled for 15:00 GMT, the game will now start at 12:30 GMT after being chosen for live television coverage by Sky Sports.

Former Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore joined promotion chasers Ipswich on loan earlier this month, having been linked with a move back to the Bluebirds throughout the January transfer window.

The 31-year-old Wales international, who had a spell with Ipswich between 2017 and 2018, marked his 'second debut' for the Tractor Boys with two goals during their defeat at Preston last weekend.

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A lot has happened to Rubin Colwill in his short career, writes Rob Phillips.

The Wales international has had promising ups and testing downs.

And he’s still only 21.

But his performances in a blue shirt lately, suggests he is flourishing again.

Colwill was hugely impressive in Saturday's 1-0 Championship win at Watford.

He drove at the Hornets defence, was always ready to receive the ball and on one memorable occasion, on the half turn left two Watford midfielders floundering in the centre circle as he glided away with the ball.

In a game of little quality, that moment and Josh Bowler’s goal were highlights.

Capped eight times and with an international goal under his belt, Colwill has had big expectations placed on him at a club which has had little to shout about in recent years and has struggled to produce next generation first team players.

His talent is undoubted and was recognised by Rob Page and the Wales management as he was selected for the delayed Euros in 2021 for experience and went to the World Cup the following year. But his appearance against England in Qatar was his last senior cap.

Colwill’s club form has varied, as often happens with youth. He made 41 appearances in the 2021-2 season, though manager Steve Morrison sometimes appeared to resent the attention given to the player.

Injury wrecked last season for Colwill as injuries, undoubtedly connected to a growth spurt, ensured only 26 league and cup appearances. He equalled that mark at Vicarage Road.

The current campaign has not been straightforward with Erol Bulut clearly recognising his attacking ability, but early on demanding more of him and teammate Callum Robinson defensively.

Last Saturday there was a small but telling incident when Bulut applauded Colwill for a foul – as he over aggressively hassled a Watford defender trying to break out of defence. it underlined Colwill's desire to heed early season advice.

Of course, there are still challenges. Colwill can play wide, but he looks most comfortable as a number 10. Now Aaron Ramsey is back, fit, and raring to go. Any team would welcome that.

David Turnbull, the January recruit from Celtic, will also be vying for a spot in the midfield to add creativity, so Bulut has flair options.

But despite a surprisingly early substitution last Saturday, Colwill is currently the man in the side and is in the form to build on his six Championship starts and 16 outings from the bench.

His progress will also be watched by the Wales management ahead of the pivotal Euro 2024 semi-final play-off against Finland on March 21 – and hopefully a final against either Poland or Estonia, five days later.

Colwill has been an under21 regular recently, with manager Matthew Jones praising his attitude and commitment. To his credit, Colwill has not looked on his omission from the senior squad as a demotion – just a platform to bounce back into the senior squad.

Wales may continue to use him at that level. But he is again showing the form which previously earned him senior recognition.

It has been a rocky road and there are still challenges ahead.

But Cardiff – and Wales – fans will hope Colwill continues his current upward progress.

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Gregor Townsend’s rugby side would not have been the only Scots celebrating in Cardiff last weekend.

For by the time the victory songs were beginning to die down after Six Nations success in south Wales, David Turnbull would have been returning to the Welsh capital after a triumphant debut for Cardiff City.

Signed on deadline day from Celtic, the Scotland international midfielder appeared off the bench to help Erol Bulut’s side to a welcome 1-0 win at Watford.

With five caps to his name, although his last approaching nearly two years ago, the 24-year-old may well be hoping he can force his way into Steve Clarke’s plans for this summer’s European Championship finals.

Certainly, it would not have been the first time a Scotland manager has taken a look at Cardiff talent given the Bluebirds’ fairly well-established Scottish connection.

A total of 11 Scots have won caps while playing for Cardiff, the last Callum Paterson in 2020 and the first a full century before that; Jimmy Blair even captaining Scotland at Ninian Park against Wales in 1924, with Bluebirds teammate and future FA Cup winner Fred Keenor wearing the armband for the hosts.

Cardiff’s connection with Scotland stretches back further with the club’s former ground named after Scottish army officer Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart who acted as a guarantor for the club’s rental of the site adjacent to the current Cardiff City Stadium.

The club’s first manager in 1910, Davy McDougall, was also Scottish.

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In more modern times, those capped while playing for Cardiff have included Neil Alexander, Craig Conway, Don Cowie, Ross McCormack, Kevin McNaughton and Gavin Rae, while Kenny Miller also captained Scotland during his season in south Wales back in 2012.

There are of course those Scots who did not win international honours during their time, but were still fan favourites – Don Murray, John Buchanan and Chris Burke to name just a few.

Goalkeeper David Marshall won the most caps – 22 – over his seven years as a Bluebird, going on to make a total of 47 international appearances and a place in history with his penalty saves in shoot-outs that booked the country’s first major finals appearance in 22 years in Euro 2020.

Turnbull was named in the squad for that tournament, but the former Motherwell man did not feature.

He will be hoping regular first-team football will help him get another chance, as well as another opportunity for Cardiff to extend their Scottish connection.

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Josh Bowler believes Cardiff City now have the resources to kick on after ending a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 Championship win at Watford.

Bowler fired home a spectacular winner to give Cardiff the points at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Manager Erol Bulut introduced four of his January recruits off the bench at Watford, and Bowler says the transfer window recruitment was vital.

"It’s massive because it pushes players," he said.

“[It is] not on purpose, but you can get comfortable if it’s the same players every day in training. So for new players to come in and see the quality they have is massive and it is only going to make us stronger.

"I came off, new players went on made their debuts and it looked like they fitted straight in and they are only going to get better because a lot of them only trained [on Friday]."

January recruits Nat Phillips, Josh Wilson-Esbrands, David Turnbull and striker Famara Diedhiou all made their debuts at Watford.

Only USA goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was not involved as he was waiting for a new visa having switched clubs. He will be available for next Saturday’s home game with Preston.

The return of Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who was on the bench at Watford but did not feature, is another welcome boost for Cardiff.

“He is great. He is like a new signing as well," Bowler added.

"To have a player of that quality come back into training... you see even in the small-sided games and possession work, he is top quality.

"So racking up the training minutes and getting involved in match days, that is going to make us much better."

Cardiff had lost nine of their last 14 games in all competitions before seeing off Watford.

Bowler said: “Personally and as a team we have probably not been good enough but we all know that, we are all honest in ourselves, we all work hard.

“This win is massive. We have Preston at home next week and if we can kick on we could start a run. Who knows where we can go with 17 games left.”

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You can't keep Neil Warnock out of football for long.

At the age of 75, the former Cardiff City boss has been appointed Aberdeen's interim manager for the remainder of the season.

Warnock takes over from Barry Robson, who was sacked last week after a year in charge with the Dons eighth in the Scottish Premiership.

Warnock will be in charge for Tuesday's game against Rangers at Ibrox.

He came out of retirement 12 months ago and saved Huddersfield Town from relegation from the Championship but left the job in September.

His assistant Ronnie Jepson has also joined Aberdeen while Peter Leven will continue as first-team coach.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Warnock.

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Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut says he did not want to risk Aaron Ramsey’s fitness after leaving him on the bench in the Bluebirds’ 1-0 win at Watford.

Ramsey, who has been missing for club and country for four months with a knee injury, was an unused substitute at Vicarage Road.

However, Bulut said he was protecting the Wales skipper, who is expected to play a key role in Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland on 21 March and a possible final against either Poland or Estonia five days later.

“The game was not exactly for Aaron,” Bulut told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“After four months I didn’t want to give him 10 or 15 minutes where he would be running only behind the ball, maybe that wouldn’t be good for him.

“We will manage to see him in the next weeks I hope.”

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Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut says the late flurry of transfer activity from the Bluebirds has made him a "happy man."

Nat Phillips, Famara Diedhiou, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Ethan Horvath and David Turnbull all joined the Bluebirds in the final days of the winter market.

In their first game since the signings, Cardiff closed the gap to the Championship play-off spots to five points with a 1-0 win at Watford.

Bulut named four of his new signings as substitutes, with the quartet all coming on at Vicarage Road.

“I am pleased very much because with four or five new faces here with us, we could see that the team is fresher than before," Bulut told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“We were able to use our new players, we have now players that mean we can change and this is good, this will be much better for us in the next weeks.

“I would have preferred to get some players in the first week of January, but we got them in the end.

“I am happy man today. For long weeks we couldn’t manage because of injuries, but now we are five players more and can manage in the coming weeks much, much better."