You say little protection but fouls are given and bookings hand out, as the OP pointed out. KLL needs to capitalize on that by attacking the players that are booked. They will either do something stupid or make it easier for him as they can't lunge in. He needs to be just a little bit...
Problem is he has let himself down (and the team) with all of his bookings.
Nottingham Forest - booked for foul
Fulham - booked for dissent
Blackburn - booked for foul
Ipswich - booked for dissent
Hull - booked for foul
Wolves - booked for foul