WHY CARDIFF CITY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE EROL BULUT

I'll be offering a breakdown on why I believe Cardiff City can't afford to lose Erol Bulut. As things stand, Bulut has just five months left on his City deal and talks over a new deal are yet to be opened.

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut.

How have things gone so far?

In just seven months, Bulut has laid the foundations for a good future. Bulut has dipped into the European market and Cardiff have definitely reaped the rewards. The 49 year-old came in as an unknown package, but early on proved a point. Early on in the season, Cardiff pushed Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich to places they haven't really been pushed to since, this saw Bulut catch the eye, and early on had the backing of Bluebirds supporters.

Bulut then delivered two derby wins, something no manager had achieved since Mick McCarthy. As well as this, Bulut produced the best start to a season since Neil Warnock's promotion winning side in the 17/18 season. Cardiff have been in and out of the play-offs so far this season, despite being tipped for relegation in pre season.

What's been key to Bulut's success?

Recruitment is one of the main reasons for sure. Dimitrios Goutas is the second highest rated centre-back in the division, and for a free transfer has to be in the conversation for signing of the season. Manolis Siopis has also caught the eye with his energetic playstyle. Wide men Karlan Grant and Josh Bowler have shown flashes of real quality and been vital in games for The Bluebirds. And the obvious one, Aaron Ramsey, despite only making six appearances, Ramsey has rubbished this lable that he's 'passed it' with some top draw performances.

As well as good recruitment, Bulut has utulised players who were here before his arrival. The main one being Mark McGuinness, who slightly struggled at the back end of last season, however alongside Goutas this season, he's looked a new player, and the fact he's still only 22 is crazy, considering how mature he plays. Joe Ralls is another, Rallsy struggled last season but has been crucial this season, The Bluebirds have really struggled when their skipper hasn't featured this season, his energetic style and brilliant set-piece delivery has been game changing this season. Another is Rubin Colwill, who is performing on a consistent basis for the first time in his career really, he's become a more all-rounded midfielder and has become an important player for The Bluebirds this term.

Bulut has got Cardiff scoring goals, something they've been incapable of doing for years. The goals have been spread about the team with fourteen different goal scorers. When you look in the past, Cardiff have been heavily reliant on individuals to provide goals, however this season that is not the case.

What does Bulut bring tactically?

The introduction of inverted fullbacks has seen Perry Ng excel this season. The 27 year-old has eight goal involvements this season. Ng has the most touches for Cardiff in the midfield area of the pitch (878), and the second most touches in the final third (365), showing his influence to the side this season.

Something Cardiff have missed (minus Jaden Philiogene) is direct wingers. Bulut has definitley demanded directness from his wingers. Josh Bowler has attempted the most take ons for The Bluebirds this season (78), with Karlan Grant not far behind in second (64). Bulut is clearly asking for his wingers to be as influental as possible in and around the box, this proven by Karlan Grant having the most touches of any Cardiff player in the opposition box (71) this season. Cardiff's top three for progressive ball carriers this season have been Grant (70), Bowler (48) and Tanner (38), this proving Bulut is asking his wingers to come deeper and drive the team up the pitch.

Cardiff have become more adaptable, and are now comfortable playing out from the back. The back four have seen much more of the ball this season. Cardiff's four players with the most touches are Perry Ng (1,847), Dimitrios Goutas (1,780), Mark McGuinness (1,661) and Jamilu Collins (1,525). Having seen the ball a bit like a hot potato for years around the back, it's slightly more refreshing to see players confident with the ball at the back, at times judgement hasn't been the best, but it's definitely improved massively since the start of the season.

Cardiff have gone up a notch in terms of creativity from midfield, since Bulut's appointment. Joe Ralls leads the way in terms of assists with six which is on par with his career best for The Bluebirds skipper. In terms of Shot-Creating actions per 90, the top three are Aaron Ramsey (4.36), Rubin Colwill (3.91) and Callum Robinson (3.61), this proving the influence of Cardiff's creative midfielders in the final third. Colwill leads the way for successful take-ons that have led to goals (2), this once again proving Bulut demanding a more direct style from his side.

In terms of a striker, Bulut has seemingly preferred a target man up front, which has typically been Yakou Meite. Despite not having many goals to show for it, Meite has been influental in the first half of the season. Meite has won the most aerial duels of any Cardiff player this season (105). Meite is also near the top end when it comes to Progressive Carries (28) and Carries into the Final Third (16).

What could the future hold?

Bulut has made it no secret he has big plans if he stays. The first seven months in charge has proven to us that if backed in the market, Bulut could take us far. When you look at the bigger picture, Bulut has brought us on leaps and bounds. Cardiff are now a more progressive side, and despite a slightly rocky few months, things are still far better than last season.

Had you told supporters we'd still be in the play-off pack ahead of Gameday 30 at the start of the season, I think I would've laughed at such a wild statement, but that is how things look for Cardiff at the moment.

It looks set to be a very open Championship next season, and if Cardiff can nail recruitment then the play-offs will not be out of the picture. Securing Bulut's future would be the first step in Cardiff returning into the consistent play-off finishers, I believe.

Supporters have been reminded of FFP issues, however Bulut is clearly working to fix that. With five months left on his deal Romaine Sawyers is likely to depart at the end of the season, Bulut has also loaned out Ebou Adams, Andy Rinomhota and Sheyi Ojo, players he clearly doesn't deem to the level required, I imagine those three may also be off in the summer. Bulut is working towards building his own squad, but needs the departures of high wage earners before he can go any further, something it appears he'd be pushing for if he stayed.

Would the players want him to stay?

I think the answer is a no brainer. Below is a list of what current Cardiff players have said on Erol Bulut during his time at the club:

Jamilu Collins - "You guys can see, the way he [Bulut] is outside, that's the way he is inside. He's a strict guy but he likes to joke around with the players. He does that with everybody.

For a manager like that to be in Cardiff is a blessing."

Manolis Siopis - "Erol is a winner. Wherever he goes to a club he makes something. For example, when we worked one year together at Alanyaspor we made the best season in the history of the club."

Joe Ralls - “We are playing good football under Erol Bulut and we are scoring goals, which is always good for confidence. We struggled in that department last season. We are a different team, playing with a different style under a new manager, and it is exciting.”

Ollie Tanner - "He [Erol Bulut] has been a massive part. He's given me plenty of opportunities this season to show what I can do. He could have easily put me back out on loan or not played me, but he did, and has put trust in me. I'm forever grateful to him and to sign a contract while he's here is a big thing."

Callum Robinson - "He (Bulut) has got that winning mentality and that runs through the team. I've worked with a lot of different characters. Everyone has their own way. What I like is that he's a winner."

One thing is clear, the players love his winning mentality, and it's raised the level of the players. Bulut's clearly a strong character who is doing well with his resources at the moment.

Conclusion:

I feel I could've raised more points on why Bulut should be extended, which i.s telling. Erol has united the fans and has given us one of the best nights in recent years. In just seven months, Cardiff have made such a major improvement.

Cardiff will not be able to find anyone better than Bulut, he suits what we need and has a clear vision on how to push up back to being a competitive Championship side at the top end of the table.

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