By Jake Maddaford

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut has asked fans to get behind his team’s new style of play as he searched for positives following a  2-0 home defeat against Sunderland in their opening match of the season.

After a busy transfer window, Cardiff fans were optimistic going into the start of the new campaign, but the heavy emphasis on possession and a slower build-up was a surprise. 

A goal in either half by Luke O’Nien and the impressive Jack Clarke gave Sunderland a flying start and the Black Cats deserved their success after seizing their chances.

But Bulut has asked Bluebirds supporters to back the team while they hone their new methods.

“Last season, we tried to build something, and now we are trying to add quality and speed,” said Bulut.

“We try to keep the ball as much as possible. We also have to try to score more goals, but this will come.

“I see positives from today. Okay we didn’t score, but they will come in the coming weeks.”

Luke O’Nien puts Sunderland ahead at Cardiff! pic.twitter.com/sxJ7UY6T9j

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 10, 2024

Bulut did hint that although he was happy with the business the club have done so far, he believes that some players could have come in a bit earlier.

“Maybe we could have got one or two in a bit earlier, but I know it’s not easy.” 

“If you are looking to sign one player, other clubs are probably looking at that same player, we had this with Alex Robertson.

“We are targeting other players. I can say we are looking for an offensive player, ideally a winger.”

Bulut insists the Bluebirds can solve their goal-scoring problems, despite starting the campaign with a blank on the scoresheet.

“Wilfried Kanga arrived late, Chris Willock came late, El Ghazi needs a few weeks.

“When we have them in, I will be a lot more positive.”

FT: Cardiff 0 – 2 Sunderland.

Happy new season.

Lots of sideways and backwards.

Sunderland kept their shape and waited until we made mistakes.

Then they picked us off by being clinical with their chances.

The concerns about this style of play have been borne out in game 1. pic.twitter.com/4ElNTzLM5o

— Cardiff City Mad (@cardiffcitymad) August 10, 2024

Cardiff were the side putting pressure on early, Dimitrios Goutas having his header well saved by Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson.

But it was Sunderland who took the lead after a free kick on the left-hand side made its way to Dennis Cirken, who headed it across goal for Luke O’Nein to head into the empty net.

Debutant Willock seemed to be Cardiff’s main outlet in the first half. His cross found Callum Robinson, who failed to make a clean connection as his shot trickled into Patterson’s gloves.

They would come close again, just one minute after Ollie Tanner fired one nearly out of the stadium, the Cardiff man would rise highest to head the ball, but it would go narrowly wide.

Cardiff could count themselves lucky early in the second half, as Jobe Bellingham’s pass played in Eliezer Mayenda, one-on-one, but the teenager was thwarted by Cardiff keeper Ethan Horvath.

Great support from Sunderland fair play to them pic.twitter.com/1QEwKdoNNX

— Cardiff City SLO (@CardiffCitySLO) August 10, 2024

After that, Cardiff would start to get a foothold back in the game but failed to create any real clear-cut chances. 

The best chance would fall to Aaron Ramsey, but his effort was tame and lacked the power and precision to beat Patterson.

Sunderland would seal it in the last minute, but not without controversy, as fans claimed substitute Rubin Colwill was fouled in the buildup.

Winger Clarke played out, cut inside and fired into the bottom corner, sealing it for the visitors.