Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut has admitted that the uncertainty over his own future may be affecting his players after they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Sunderland yesterday.

Bulut signed a one-year deal with the Bluebirds last summer and has never given any indication that the club are negotiating an extension.

When asked if uncertainty around his future is affecting the players, Bulut admitted: “It can be.”

He added: “I don’t have any problems. I respect it from the board if they are not coming with a new offer.

“I’m focusing on my job until the end of the season. Until now we haven’t had any communication about that, so let’s see.”

Despite what Bulut described as his side’s “worst” performance of the season, the former Galatasaray boss has overseen some improvement in the capital.

After their 21st place finish last season under Sabri Lamouchi, Bulut has guided Cardiff to a likely top half finish and, until Friday’s game, a potential play-off charge.

However, it is now two defeats on the spin after a derby day defeat at Swansea before the international break.

Cardiff’s two recent performances have shown a side that is lacking inspiration as they sleepwalk to the end of the season.

Bulut urged his players not to be “comfortable” with 53 points.

“We still have seven more games to play and we have to try to get as much points as we can,” he said.

“I told them when they came in [to the changing room], ‘We cannot be comfortable because we have 53 points’.

“Everybody has to fight back from this performance and get back to our best shape.

“We can’t stop the season from now. The last seven games we have to try to make the best for the fans first of all, and for the club, also for themselves.

“I think there will have to be a change mentally when we are on the field.”