By David Parsons
Erol Bulut reckoned his team could have won more convincingly than by a single goal after they made it back-to-back away victories with a 1-0 win away at Birmingham City.
The only downside for the Bluebirds boss was another injury suffered by skipper Aaron Ramsey, whose comeback match lasted only 45 minutes.
Ramsey made his first start since September but went off with a hamstring injury and may struggle to play again this season.
Birmingham missed the chance to climb out of the Championship relegation zone as Josh Bowler’s 65th-minute goal snatched victory for Cardiff and left the Blues a point from safety.
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Gary Rowett’s side had the opportunity to win successive home matches and jump above Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield in the table, but Bowler’s fourth goal of the season instead left them second bottom with just four games to play.
“It was a good game from our side, of course it was not an easy game because Birmingham are fighting for point,” said Bulut.
“It was a strong game from us against the ball and we could have made one or two more goals if we would have finalised our passes or the last shot but in general, I am satisfied with the performance of the team.
“We now have four more games and I hope it can be the same like today.”
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The win leaves Cardiff 11th in the Championship table, nine points off the play-off places, but with only four games left to play.
As for another injury for Ramsey, Bulut added: “He worked really, really hard to come back, we used him a bit in games before to not be in danger.
“Today we spoke with the medical department who said we can play him for the start for maybe 60 minutes, but it’s ended in another hamstring problem.
“He’s had a hard season with injuries and I wish him all the best.
“I still hope he can play the last one or two games.”
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A well-drilled Cardiff outfit frustrated the hosts and the Bluebirds looked happy to play on the counter-attack.
That plan duly worked when Bowler fired past John Ruddy at his near post from half-time substitute Rubin Colwill’s cross to give them the lead.
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett threw on subtitutes in the closing stages as his side chased a late leveller, but Cardiff held on for all three points.
“When you have an opportunity, you have to do everything you can to take that opportunity and we just didn’t do that,” said Rowett.
“We petered out with a little bit of a whimper and it’s incredibly frustrating and frustrating for the fans who came out in good numbers.
“I thought we started OK and I thought we had some good control and I felt we got into some good areas without finding the quality to open them up.
“We’ve given goals away far too easily, we’ve conceded soft goals, tonight we had a chance to react to their goal and we didn’t react.
“We lacked character in that second half and how the game ended.
“We know we’ve got another tough game on Saturday and we need to show a little bit more urgency, fight and character.”
Erol Bulut reveals Aaron Ramsey injury as he responds to Cardiff City fan chant #CCFC #Bluebirds https://t.co/kKzCow5GJr pic.twitter.com/hecHu5lDGm
— Cardiff City Online (@CardiffCityLive) April 10, 2024
