By Jacob Maddaford
Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut insists Russell Martin’s mastery over the Bluebirds has no significance as it occurred before the Turkish boss arrived in the capital.
When Cardiff host promotion-chasing Southampton on Saturday, it will be an opportunity for Saints manager Martin to target his sixth consecutive win against the men in blue.
While Martin is currently doing a stellar job at the Saints, it was his time at Swansea that earned him the attention of Southampton board, including his record against their bitter rivals.
Before he took over, neither Cardiff nor Swansea had won both league meetings between the sides in a single season. When Martin took over in 2021 few expected that sequence to change so dramatically.
https://twitter.com/CardiffCityFC/status/1780975471917756628
Not only did Martin become the first manager to do the double over Cardiff, but he did so without conceding a goal in either game – winning 3-0 at home and 4-0 away, their biggest victory in the capital since 1949.
Martin then repeated the trick last season, with a 2-0 home win followed by a 3-2 success away, thanks a 99th minute winner from Ben Cabango.
More impressively, sides that have been managed by Martin have never even conceded a goal at home against Cardiff, including this season at Southampton with Martin coming out on top 2-0. It could easily been more than that.
But Bulut has dismissed Martin’s 100% record against his side, saying, “I wasn’t manager or at Cardiff City then and I’m looking forward to it.”
https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1781224539101241671
The question should be asked if he is underestimating Martin’s management, especially given Southampton’s current form which has produced three wins on the bounce to leave them currently fourth in the table and within striking distance of Leeds United and Leicester City.
Especially when you consider the injury problems Cardiff are currently suffering, with Bulut himself saying Cardiff only have 13 to 14 players available for their clash this weekend.
“We will have four or five under 21 players to fill the squad tomorrow,” added Bulut.
https://twitter.com/CardiffCityFC/status/1780627279292604621
With Perry Ng, not only will he miss the rest of the season with injury, but he might also not be at the Bluebirds next season, with Bulut hinting the captain has had offers from other clubs.
“I already know some clubs are interested in him, in England and maybe he’ll get offers from abroad,” Bulut confirmed.
“He’s good, but the Premier League is a different calibre. I’ve spoken to him about this, he knows it, but I think he can play there.”
Most people can only see a Saints victory this Saturday, which appears the most likely outcome given Cardiff’s injuries and the fact that the Bluebirds are only playing for pride.
The only hope they have is if Southampton can’t handle the pressure as they cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to catch the clubs above them.
Trademark Saints ™️@AdamArma9 last time out against Cardiff ⏮ pic.twitter.com/WSLCkaFhCo
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 19, 2024
