“ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:42 am
Erol Bulut tells Josh Bowler what he must now do after Watford stunner as he delivers verdict on Cardiff City debutants
The Nottingham Forest loanee smacked the winner against Watford at Vicarage Road
By Glen Williams
Erol Bulut has told Josh Bowler he has to "believe in himself" more after his stunner against Watford earned Cardiff City a precious three points.
The game at Vicarage Road needed one moment of quality to separate the two sides and it came via the boot of Bowler, who chopped inside and whipped a beautiful effort into the top corner of the Hornets' goal.
Bowler has spoken of his frustration over his lack of attacking output so far this season, but that was a timely reminder of just what he is capable of. His passionate celebration was also an outpouring of emotion, too.
And Bulut pleaded with the Nottingham Forest loanee to trust his ability more in order for him to produce even more match-winning moments in the final 17 games of the campaign.
"Josh has to believe in himself," Bulut said. "We have spoken to him many times, my assistants, too. He has quality one against one, he has to use it. Like today, when he has to shoot, he has to shoot, when he has to pass, he has to pass.
"I speak with him a lot about everyone knowing that he is left-footed. Sometimes he has to go on his right. We train it every time, that he has to dribble on the outside, on his right foot, to maybe make the assist or score a goal."
After a meagre January, and over a month without a win, the result at Watford was sorely needed. It ensures City don't lose anymore ground on the play-offs - they are now just five points off sixth place - and instils much-needed confidence into the squad.
On the game, Bulut added: "After a few weeks of not winning points, it was disappointing, but those free days we gave to the team has refreshed the team very well. Everyone came back with a clear mind for this game. Everyone could analyse for themselves and what they have to do more for Cardiff City to play much, much better. Me, too.
"In the past I have spoken about transfers, we went [to Plymouth] with 16 players plus under-21s players, so now we have made quality transfers, four or five, so when we have changes, we can make changes. I hope, until the end of the season we don't have injuries again. I think now we are in a better position than before.
"Before, when we had two injuries that put the team back with creating chances. We were fighting, but fighting is not everything. You have to score and we couldn't do that. Now it looks much, much better."
It was a surprise that Bulut didn't name any new faces in the starting XI, but as he alluded to, the time away from football owing to a fallow weekend last week ensured the players were refreshed.
David Turnbull, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Nat Phillips and Famara Diedhiou all made their debuts, though, and Bulut believes they will give a squad a lift and will only get better.
"The new players have only one training session or two training sessions with us. They helped us a lot, but still they have to know better about our playing style," he said.
"We made them do a lot of video analysis about that. But in the coming days and weeks, their performances and the quality of the players will show much, much better than today for a few minutes.
"They have to settle in. We have trained only one day or two days, you cannot expect the new players to change everything. For sure, they will help us a lot in the next 17 games, knowing their team-mates better, so on the field it will be a good way."
One particularly poignant moment at the end of the match was when the team marched over to the away end to celebrate with the travelling City fans. Usually the fans crave a Bulut fist-pump, but the manager refused, instead shoving Aaron Ramsey, an unused substitute who was included in the matchday squad for the first time since September, in front of the frenzied supporters.
Ramsey obliged and threw his fist in the air, celebrating with his adoring fans.
"It was a long time that he was out, four months that he was away," Bulut said. "We pushed him out in front (of the fans) so him and the fans could celebrate together.
"Today, we didn't use him. It was not really the game for him to play. But I hope next week (he will play)."
The Nottingham Forest loanee smacked the winner against Watford at Vicarage Road
By Glen Williams
Erol Bulut has told Josh Bowler he has to "believe in himself" more after his stunner against Watford earned Cardiff City a precious three points.
The game at Vicarage Road needed one moment of quality to separate the two sides and it came via the boot of Bowler, who chopped inside and whipped a beautiful effort into the top corner of the Hornets' goal.
Bowler has spoken of his frustration over his lack of attacking output so far this season, but that was a timely reminder of just what he is capable of. His passionate celebration was also an outpouring of emotion, too.
And Bulut pleaded with the Nottingham Forest loanee to trust his ability more in order for him to produce even more match-winning moments in the final 17 games of the campaign.
"Josh has to believe in himself," Bulut said. "We have spoken to him many times, my assistants, too. He has quality one against one, he has to use it. Like today, when he has to shoot, he has to shoot, when he has to pass, he has to pass.
"I speak with him a lot about everyone knowing that he is left-footed. Sometimes he has to go on his right. We train it every time, that he has to dribble on the outside, on his right foot, to maybe make the assist or score a goal."
After a meagre January, and over a month without a win, the result at Watford was sorely needed. It ensures City don't lose anymore ground on the play-offs - they are now just five points off sixth place - and instils much-needed confidence into the squad.
On the game, Bulut added: "After a few weeks of not winning points, it was disappointing, but those free days we gave to the team has refreshed the team very well. Everyone came back with a clear mind for this game. Everyone could analyse for themselves and what they have to do more for Cardiff City to play much, much better. Me, too.
"In the past I have spoken about transfers, we went [to Plymouth] with 16 players plus under-21s players, so now we have made quality transfers, four or five, so when we have changes, we can make changes. I hope, until the end of the season we don't have injuries again. I think now we are in a better position than before.
"Before, when we had two injuries that put the team back with creating chances. We were fighting, but fighting is not everything. You have to score and we couldn't do that. Now it looks much, much better."
It was a surprise that Bulut didn't name any new faces in the starting XI, but as he alluded to, the time away from football owing to a fallow weekend last week ensured the players were refreshed.
David Turnbull, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Nat Phillips and Famara Diedhiou all made their debuts, though, and Bulut believes they will give a squad a lift and will only get better.
"The new players have only one training session or two training sessions with us. They helped us a lot, but still they have to know better about our playing style," he said.
"We made them do a lot of video analysis about that. But in the coming days and weeks, their performances and the quality of the players will show much, much better than today for a few minutes.
"They have to settle in. We have trained only one day or two days, you cannot expect the new players to change everything. For sure, they will help us a lot in the next 17 games, knowing their team-mates better, so on the field it will be a good way."
One particularly poignant moment at the end of the match was when the team marched over to the away end to celebrate with the travelling City fans. Usually the fans crave a Bulut fist-pump, but the manager refused, instead shoving Aaron Ramsey, an unused substitute who was included in the matchday squad for the first time since September, in front of the frenzied supporters.
Ramsey obliged and threw his fist in the air, celebrating with his adoring fans.
"It was a long time that he was out, four months that he was away," Bulut said. "We pushed him out in front (of the fans) so him and the fans could celebrate together.
"Today, we didn't use him. It was not really the game for him to play. But I hope next week (he will play)."
Re: “ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:45 am
A one trick pony in my view. Needs to learn to get to the by-line and use his right to cross as an alternative.
Re: “ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:04 am
Sneggyblubird wrote:A one trick pony in my view. Needs to learn to get to the by-line and use his right to cross as an alternative.
And that is exactly what Bulit Just said in that quote, I think.
Re: “ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Sun Feb 04, 2024 7:18 pm
Need to put him on his natural side on the left amd put grant on his natural side on his right foot not rocket science i was a left footer played on the wing get round the back and to byline dink crosses in non of this cutting un unless i wanted to do it
Re: “ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:51 am
montyblue wrote:Need to put him on his natural side on the left amd put grant on his natural side on his right foot not rocket science i was a left footer played on the wing get round the back and to byline dink crosses in non of this cutting un unless i wanted to do it
I'm not a fan of the left playing on the right and visa versa.
Its a lot easier for a Left to get to the Left byline than to the Right. Even if they do get to the Right byline then its any ones guess where the ball is going to go. I don't understand why a Left is put on the Right. of course there is the possibiity of what happened Saturday but how often does that happen?
Re: “ Josh Bowler has to believe in himself “
Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:42 pm
Bakedalasker wrote:montyblue wrote:Need to put him on his natural side on the left amd put grant on his natural side on his right foot not rocket science i was a left footer played on the wing get round the back and to byline dink crosses in non of this cutting un unless i wanted to do it
I'm not a fan of the left playing on the right and visa versa.
Its a lot easier for a Left to get to the Left byline than to the Right. Even if they do get to the Right byline then its any ones guess where the ball is going to go. I don't understand why a Left is put on the Right. of course there is the possibiity of what happened Saturday but how often does that happen?
I agree, nothing like a winger beating his man but more and more managers see them as goal scorers in a three pronged attack these days and unfortunately Grant and Bowler are no Salah and Mane !