Erol Bulut: "We are a long way.”

Erol Bulut:

"We are a long way," Bulut said when asked how far off Southampton's level his squad are. "It won't go from today to tomorrow. We played against a relegated Premier League team and many of their players are Premier League level. They have quality, but we have seen where we have to go and how much we have to go.”

"If we make the transfers in January and get what we need to get to that level."

"They are a quality, good passing team, so you have to press them high to push them for mistakes. Just how we did it in the last 70 minutes, after we woke up from the first 20 minutes, then it was good. But not good enough. When we had the ball to score goals, like at the end of the first half with KG (Karlan Grant), if we can score that then the second half would be different in my opinion.

"Tactically, we were too far away (from Southampton's players), so we had issues in the game. But after 20 minutes, we woke up and it was too late. Against a good Southampton team, against good teams like Southampton, Leeds, Leicester, West Brom, you see the quality of their players and we have to be honest.

"But I can say to my team nothing. We progressed from the start of the season to today perfectly and we will continue to work hard. I hope for the transfer period that we can make something and I can get some quality players in so we can push for more. But this is the difference between the top level and what we have.

"I am angry only for the first 20 minutes. If we did the same like we did in the last 70 minutes in the first 20 minutes I would not say anything. I would be not as angry as I am right now. The first 20 minutes we were shadow marking. With shadow marking you cannot win games. I am close to you (the press) but if I cannot touch you it means nothing. We have to be more aggressive."

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A very honest statement by Bulut here
Absolutely the right man for the job and needs to be backed in January

A very honest statement.

We need a lot more than what we have. Its why I been saying expect some surprised departures this summer. As for this January then expects some arrivals to see us through this season and that is avoiding relegation.

So far things are going ok but things can change and when they do it usually means down more than up. We now have a number of easy games coming up where we should collect a few points that will push us closer to the 42 point avoiding relegation mark. That's if we turn up for 90 minutes of which we have not been doing of late.

I agree- EB the right man. We were lacking aggression and intensity for the first 25 minutes - no excuses for that.

Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut wants up to 5 new signings in January to improve squad quality.

Despite recent losses, Bulut has settled quickly and Cardiff is in contention for the play-offs.

Cardiff's ability to make new signings in January is uncertain, but they proved their ability to wheel and deal in the summer transfer window.

Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut has revealed he wants up to five new signings to strengthen his squad when the January window opens.

Erol Bulut outlines Cardiff transfer plans -

And, speaking to Wales Online after the defeat on the south coast, Bulut explained that he wants to be active when the window opens, as he looks to improve his group with some real quality.