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Jamilu Collins says it is a "blessing" that Cardiff City have Erol Bulut as manager.

The Bluebirds 1-0 winner against Millwall on Saturday moved them level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland in the Championship.

And left-back Collins feels Bulut's authenticity has been a huge factor in Cardiff's impressive campaign to date.

"You guys can see, the way he [Bulut] is outside, that's the way he is inside," said Collins.

"He's a strict guy but he likes to joke around with the players. He does that with everybody.

"For a manager like that to be in Cardiff is a blessing."

Dimitrios Goutas' header in the 78th minute proved enough for Cardiff to earn all three points against Millwall.

Victory over the Lions means the Welsh club are currently six points and 11 places better off than they were at the same stage last season.

And Collins, 29, believes Cardiff are more than capable of challenging for promotion under Bulut.

"It's the Championship, everything is possible," added the Nigeria international.

"You saw the teams who went up last season.

"We are there. We don't say we're the best team, but we're a good team.

"The manager already told us that everything is tight. There's not a big difference from the top to the bottom.

"What he wants from us is not to be far away. He wants to always be close to the top teams, and this is what we're doing."

Bulut's side return to action against Birmingham City at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, 13 December (19:45 GMT).