What 'hurt' Cardiff City against Leeds United as under-fire Erol Bulut makes honest admission
Beleaguered Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut bemoaned the "mistakes" his side made in possession after their 2-0 defeat to Leeds United. The Championship strugglers were up against it from the moment that Joe Bagan was given his marching orders in the 23rd minute after a foul on Wilfried Gnonto.
In the absence of Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani was handed his first United start and the Belgian winger claimed his first goal on the half hour mark. Pascal Struijk could have doubled the visitors advantage in the second half but his tame penalty was kept out by Jak Alnwick.
Daniel Farke's side were forced to wait until the 87th minute to grab a second goal. Former Swansea City forward Joel Piroe stepped up off the bench to wrap up the three points.
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Defeat cranks up the pressure on Bulut, whose side are bottom of the table after losing five out of their opening six matches. He said: "We knew how important and difficult the game would be. The plan was to stay compact and not allow them many chances with us countering when we could.
"(The) red card and conceding early hurt us. Against a team like Leeds, this is not easy. We invited them to have chances in the first half. Too many easy mistakes. If you invite them to have chances, they will take them. Our team tried really hard."
He was critical of the mistake defender Calum Chambers in the build up to United's second goal. "We knew Leeds would dominate the game," Bulut added. "That's why we wanted counter attacks to score. We had many easy and small mistakes. Passing mistakes. (We) didn't ask for the ball or make runs in behind.