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Ex-Cardiff City captain Steven Caulker tells fans what to expect from Erol Bulut's football and why he is a 'perfect fit'

Former Cardiff City captain Steven Caulker believes Erol Bulut is the "perfect fit" for the Bluebirds and offered an insight into the type of football fans can expect.

Bulut, who built his reputation in Turkey with Alanyaspor, Fenerbahce and Gaziantep, was appointed Bluebirds boss at the weekend following a two-and-a-half-week recruitment process by the club.

It is something of a left-field choice, in that he is relatively little known in this corner of the world, but comes with decent pedigree and steel having managed in the bear pit of the Turkish Super Lig.

READ MORE: Erol Bulut's first Cardiff City press conference Live as new manager addresses Bluebirds fans

And Caulker, who captained Cardiff on their first visit to the Premier League and played under Bulut at Alanyaspor and Gaziantep, is quietly confident the Bluebirds have got the right man.

"I think he is a good manager who will do very well at Cardiff," Caulker told the BBC. "I was a little bit surprised [by Bulut's appointment] because you don't often see Turkish managers move over to English football, but I think he's the perfect fit for the job.

"I would say if any of the Turkish managers were to make the move, he would be the one who would be the perfect fit."

As is the modern way, supporters are now keen to know what style of football the manager will be employing when he takes to the touchline in his first Championship game in August.

And while Caulker believes the 48-year-old will have a pragmatic approach, of sorts, he believes he will get the club results and is light on his feet when it comes to the need to adapt his tactics.

"I don't think he's someone who's going to come here and play overly-pretty football," added Caulker. "I don't think he's one of those managers who are so focused on playing out from the back and playing through the lines.

"That's part of his game, absolutely, but a big part of his focus is winning and that's what he's good at. He's someone who wants to win a game of football and knows how to win a game football.

"So if that involves a back five and keeping it tight - you know, Southampton away, who may be playing the best football in the league next season, he will do that. If you're at home against slightly weaker opposition, maybe absolutely you can play, and I think he has that ability to mix it up."

Caulker said he had spoken with Bulut and had offered to help him should he need it while settling into life in the Welsh capital. He said Bulut was "excited about the project" and wishes him success, adding: "Hopefully, given the right opportunity to get the squad that he wants to piece together and given enough time to put his ideas across and have a real influence, I believe Cardiff will be at the right end of the table next season rather than down the bottom."

Being a free agent after leaving Wigan, the question was naturally asked whether Caulker, 31, would be joining Bulut at Cardiff City Stadium this summer.

"I've not had a conversation. I certainly won't be inviting myself to any club," he said." You know, if Erol decides to pick up the phone, that's a conversation we'd have.

"But I spoke to him as a friend and offered support to help his family settle in. In terms of football, honestly my only focus is Sierra Leone."

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