Cardiff City boss hits out at 'stupid' criticism ahead of Leeds United visit as no punches pulled in fiery press conference
Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut criticised the scrutiny he has faced from journalists and supporters with the team sat bottom of the Championship table ahead of this weekend's visit by Leeds United.
While Bulut's opposite number is under pressure to deliver results for an altogether different reason, Daniel Farke has not taken the opportunity to hit back at critics in such explosive fashion as the Bluebirds boss.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, the former player hit out at 'stupid' criticism whilst taking aim his doubters, insinuating some sections of the Cardiff support were not wholeheartedly behind the team.
"When we are winning, everyone is next to us. When we are losing as a team, then who is next to us? When I see stupid things on social media about my players or myself, I don’t need that. If you are with us or with Cardiff City, you have to be with us until we die. Not only when we are winning, I don’t need that," the 49-year-old said.
"I am including everybody. I don’t care who takes it personally. It doesn’t matter who. I take everybody in. Fans, media, we have to be together, but we are not. You attack me after five games, one point, 11 goals conceded, fine. If everything goes bad, you try and make it bad, why didn’t you write them last season about these bad things? OK, you were writing a few bad things, that is normal."
Despite the former Fenerbahce manager's tirade, he insists he retains a good relationship with the Cardiff hierarchy, directing his angst towards supporters, journalists and fan forums' criticism of recent results.
Reports last weekend suggested chairman Mehmet Dalman and owner Vincent Tan could be motivated to make a change in the dugout after Cardiff lost 1-0 to newly-promoted Derby County. However, Bulut remains in his post for the time being and will welcome Leeds to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"With them I don’t have a problem," Bulut said of the Bluebirds hierarchy. "I have my guys around me. Fans and fan pages deliver things. I have to see what messages come. I’m not on social media every day, but I want to say that when we are together we have to be together.
"The real Cardiff City fans, they support us. Every game. They travel with us and give everything for the club. It’s not like we don’t want [to win]," he added.
Cardiff have lost four of their opening five Championship matches this season, scoring one and conceding 11.