“We will not put our heads down!” Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut defiant after derby defeat

By Ben Thomas

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut insisted his side will not let their heads drop despite a 2-0 loss away to rivals Swansea City in the south Wales Derby.

The Swans took the lead in the 34th minute after Liam Cullen slotted home from a Ronald cross.

Cullen missed a penalty in the 50th minute, but it wasn’t to matter as substitute Jamal Lowe sealed the home win deep into injury time.

Bulut said his side didn’t manage the Swansea press well in the first 30 minutes. He felt too many of his players were “hiding too much in midfield.”

The Cardiff boss was also unhappy with the opening goal feeling that defender Perry Ng was fouled in the build up.

Bulut said: “The first 30 minutes they had a few chances, but I think the goal was a foul against Ng. He (Swansea defender) was pulling the same way Ng was pulling when he (the referee) gave the penalty.”

Before the opening goal, the home fans were calling for Cardiff striker Yakou Meite to be sent off after a coming together with Harry Darling saw the Swansea man hit the deck. Bulut, however, was unimpressed with Darling’s reaction.

He added: “I think it’s artistic movement from the Swansea player.

“It was definitely not a red card, but it’s normal in these kind of games that you ask for a card because you have the fans behind you.”

Despite feeling that it wasn’t a red card, Bulut still made the decision to replace Meite at half time, feeling that the striker was letting his emotions get the better of him.

Bulut felt his side gave an improved performance in the second half and said they will use the upcoming international break to rest ahead of their next game at home to Sunderland on March 29.

He said: “The first half disappointing, not what you want, second half was much much better and with this we can work.

“We will not put our heads down now just because we’ve lost against the opponent, We will be back again.”