Tanner told to lose weight to earn Cardiff starting spot

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut has told Ollie Tanner to lose weight if he wants to play more regularly.

The 22-year-old winger has started only 10 league games since joining from non-league Lewes in 2022 and has featured more regularly as a substitute.

Tanner demonstrated how impactful he can be from the bench when he came on to provide the assist for Callum Robinson’s equaliser during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

He also scored an excellent goal as a substitute during last season’s 2-0 win over the Swans but, with precious few other contributions over the course of the campaign, Bulut wants Tanner to improve his fitness in order to perform more consistently.

“With Ollie I had a really good conversation. I’m pushing him always forward because he has to change a few things in his life,” said Bulut.

“He did well in the games when he came in for the last 20 or 30 minutes, but I want that from him when he starts the games, that he delivers the same performance. This is the problem with him I have.

“Also I think he must take care about his food. He has a few kilos he has to lose. We spoke with him about that and he knows that so he’s taking care with that now.”

Previous Cardiff managers have questioned Tanner’s fitness, including Steve Morison who signed the winger from Lewes.

But Morison and his successors also saw that the player – who was sent on loan to York during the 2022-23 season – also has real talent.

That was abundantly clear when Tanner came off the bench to score a brilliant goal against Swansea last year, cutting inside from the right wing and rifling a low left-footed strike into the far corner.

Such moments have been few and far between since then.

Tanner did offer a timely reminder of his qualities last Sunday though, when he hared down the right and pulled the ball back for Robinson to sweep in a first-time finish, earning Cardiff a valuable draw in last weekend’s south Wales derby.

“If he concentrates, trains well and takes care of his life, he will give good performances,” said Bulut.

“Every player needs to take care of their private lives, not just at training and then it’s finished. It’s 24 hours a day, you must take care of yourself.

“Younger players are a little bit different to experienced players but they must learn from the experienced players. Professional players don’t just play on a Saturday or Sunday, it continues with food, with resting, with taking care of your body. Every day you have to be ready.”