Solskjaer bemoans fine margins in defeat

Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says a pep-talk from controversial owner Vincent Tan can inspire his side to Premier League safety.

The Bluebirds lost 1-0 at Tottenham on Sunday, meaning they remain second from bottom, three points from safety.

But an improved display came after Tan addressed players and Solskjaer on Saturday to offer "encouraging words".

"He's committed and supportive. It's the first time since I've been here, it was a good time," said Solskjaer.

"They were pleased to see he came. We all appreciated it.

Come back Malky Mackay? When Solskjaer took over, Cardiff were 17th in the table, and four points off the bottom - since then, they have scored just four goals, conceded 17, and are 19th, one point off the bottom

"We're all sticking in it together, that's the key.

"If you're going to get out of this, it's not one performance, it's a 10-game run. It's a 10-game season now. This run-in, it needs every single one of us."

Cardiff have won only one of their last 12 league games but, with the backing of Tan and a change in approach, Solskjaer saw a better performance from his side at White Hart Lane after they lost 4-0 at home to Hull last weekend.

Solskjaer has led his team to victory in one of his eight league games in charge since taking over from previous boss Malky Mackay in January.

But he says his team need to win five of their last 10 games to stay in the Premier League, a figure that matches their victory total all season.

The Bluebirds face bottom-club Fulham at the Cardiff City Stadium next Saturday.

The Norwegian manager added: "We have to win five of the last 10. To win five on the bounce is perhaps too much so let's start next week."

Cardiff employed three centre-backs at White Hart Lane, and after Roberto Soldado's solitary goal, Steven Caulker hit the crossbar from close range before Declan John tested Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Solskjaer said: "It was a big improvement, that was a team who believed in what we are doing, who had a real go but a little bit went against us.

"It was a poor goal to concede, it was our free-kick and a counter attack against us but those are the margins that go against you.

"It's always a big decision to play a system you have not tried before but it grew over the week and we caused massive problems in the first half, it might be something we see again."