Cardiff City

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After back-to-back away trips to Burton and Rotherham, League One title hopefuls Cardiff return to Cardiff City Stadium this weekend.

And when it comes to playing in south Wales, head coach Brian Barry-Murphy and his captain Calum Chambers are clearly of the same opinion.

"We love playing at home. Our home record's been phenomenal this season, and the pitch is in fantastic condition," said Barry-Murphy.

"We look forward to it immensely and try to give the supporters what they crave on Saturday."

Cardiff were ruthless in their last home outing, a 4–0 demolition of Barnsley, and when they welcome play-off chasing Luton on Saturday, 14 February (1500 GMT), Barry-Murphy will hope for another dominant display.

The Bluebirds have lost only twice at home this season, a record defender Chambers believes is powered by the supporters.

"They're amazing. They really help us in games," said the former Arsenal and Aston Villa man.

"You really do feel the energy they give us, especially at key moments when we need a goal. We love playing at home."

The League One leaders will need that energy against a Luton side riding high after a 2-1 victory over Bradford which bolstered their own hopes of achieving promotion.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are pushing to maintain momentum in their push for an immediate return to the Championship.

Chambers, who joined the Welsh side last season, described Cardiff's Championship campaign as "tough," but says relegation has brought players and fans together again.

"The atmosphere is class, really good here. Compared to last year, this season has been bouncing."

Barry-Murphy, who only arrived in June, has also felt that strong connection since his arrival.

"The support from the supporters to our players has always been there," he said.

"Our intention is to give them more of the best of ourselves so they don't have to go through the worst of it."

For the visit of The Hatters, Wales international Dylan Lawlor returns to the squad.

The 20-year-old has been part of the back line responsible for nine of Cardiff's 12 clean sheets this season - the best defensive record in the division.

But Barry-Murphy will be without forward Isaak Davies who suffered a concussion following an unnoticed blow to the head in the 86th minute against Rotherham.

Cardiff also remain without top scorer Yousef Salech and influential midfielder Rubin Colwill, both key to the club's early-season success.

Colwill is now back in training and Salech is making "good progress" after seeing a specialist, but the manager urged patience.

"Rubin's back in full training but he's been out for a long time, so it's about balancing when he's actually available to get back on the bench," said Barry-Murphy.

"Yousef's continuing his rehabilitation, so he won't be available."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Calum Chambers has embraced his role as captain of table-toppers Cardiff City, playing a central role in their push for an immediate return to the Championship.

The Bluebirds sit top of League One, eight points clear of third placed Bolton Wanderers, and the 31-year-old central defender is savouring every moment.

"It's a feeling you don't want to wish away," Chambers said.

"You want to keep it and bottle up this feeling because it's really good."

The former Arsenal, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender joined Cardiff City as a free agent in July 2024.

He featured 41 times in his first campaign, at the end of which Cardiff were relegated from the Championship.

Chambers said: "It was a very different feeling last season. Obviously, last year was my first year and it was tough. It was really tough."

Following Cardiff's relegation, former Manchester City academy coach Brian Barry-Murphy took over and under him Cardiff have lost just five league games this campaign while playing a style of football which has excited supporters and generated success.

"This season's got a completely different feel to it and a lot of credit goes down to Brian for changing the mentality," said Chambers.

"To change a team that's gone down to a team that wants to win every single game and trains the way we train isn't easy. He's done it since day one and everyone's taken to it really well.

"The football we're playing, the enthusiasm, the energy on the training ground, the fans - it's been such an enjoyable season. I think everyone would say the same."

Another particularly "enjoyable" aspect for Chambers has been the competition for places, which he says, he is "relishing".

"I've always enjoyed competition. It brings the best out in everyone," he said, adding: "It keeps you at your best because you know you've got to perform to play again."

One of those centre-backs is 20-year-old Wales international Dylan Lawlor, who the three-capped English international believes has enormous potential.

"He's really young, but he doesn't look it on the pitch. He's been brilliant," said Chambers.

"The main thing is his character. He's willing to learn, willing to improve, works hard every day. That's what gets you where you want to be."

Having been appointed club captain for the beginning of Cardiff's League One campaign, Chambers sees mentoring the younger players as a rewarding part of his role.

"I have lots of conversations with the young boys. I remember when I was that age coming through and how exciting and how sort of new everything felt," he said.

"It brings back all the feelings I had when I first broke through. I'm enjoying that with them, but also bringing my experience along as well."

Chambers said that despite relegation to League One, he "never really even thought about leaving Cardiff" and life under Barry-Murphy couldn't be better.

"He's brilliant. His class, as a manager, as a person, everything. I think he's been amazing for the club. It's really enjoyable football to play. The way he wants us to play really suits me at centre back. I'm loving it," said Chambers.

"I wanted to settle somewhere and feel part of something. What happened last season wasn't great, but that's the reason why I wanted to join a club like this is to sort of feel all of those things. And I'm really enjoying it."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy believes the Bluebirds' commanding 3-0 victory against Rotherham last weekend was a performance that "sends a big statement" to his squad as the Welsh club continue to lay down a marker of their title credentials.

After a below par display against Burton in the previous game, Barry-Murphy was delighted with how his side responded against a rejuvenated Rotherham.

"I'm very pleased with the personality the players showed, the overall performance, and the goals in particular," Barry-Murphy said.

Cardiff controlled the match from the outset against a Rotherham team unbeaten in their previous three.

Even when Ryan Wintle was dismissed just after the half hour mark, Barry-Murphy never felt the momentum shifted.

"I didn't have any doubts," he said.

"We reminded the players how dominant they'd been and told them not to step back. They continued to attack and scored some brilliant goals for our supporters who travelled in extraordinary numbers."

One of the goal scorers was substitute Isaak Davies, a moment Barry-Murphy described as "very special for all of us".

Like many players, Barry-Murphy acknowledge Davies "had to wait for his chance" but his readiness to make an impact is something which the Irish head coach feels epitomises his entire squad as they are always "keen to improve".

"The players are driving that [high standards]," said Barry-Murphy.

"I'm really pleased with the impact from the bench of the players who came on and really helped the team. Even the ones who didn't get on, it was a real collective effort today. It was a really special day for us."

Barry-Murphy also highlighted Joel Colwill, who has started four of Cardiff's last five league games.

"The next opportunity is always around the corner if you keep doing what you're doing," said Barry-Murphy.

"Joel Colwill wasn't playing for a couple of weeks previously and couldn't see himself getting back in. Now he plays an integral part in such a great performance."

Barry-Murphy also praised the "incredible" Cardiff supporters who had made the journey to Yorkshire.

"They were really special from the start of the game, but there seemed to be an extra energy from them when Ryan got sent off.

"The energy every time we attacked from the stand was incredible and drove us forward.

"We wanted to give them a very special day. The supporters should feel every bit of enjoyment and dream of whatever they want."

With Cardiff now 10 games unbeaten and pushing for an immediate Championship return, Barry-Murphy insists the focus remains "game to game".

The Bluebirds now shift attention to Luton's visit to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 14 February (15:00 GMT) in what Barry-Murphy said promises to be "a brilliant game" that offers the Bluebirds another chance to soar at the top of League One.

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Ollie Tanner says striking fear into the hearts of opponents is key to Cardiff City's promotion bid after the Bluebirds claimed a "statement" win at Rotherham.

The League One leaders cruised to a 3-0 victory on Saturday despite captain Ryan Wintle being shown a red card on 21 minutes.

The win left Cardiff two points above second-placed Lincoln and eight ahead of Bolton Wanderers in third.

"It was a significant win - especially after going down to 10 so early," said Tanner.

"Whether we have 10 or nine [men on the pitch], we've got a way of playing and we stick to that.

"To win 3-0 with 10 men sends out a statement. We do it our way, and we want teams to fear us.

"We don't want them to look forward to playing us. We want to impose our game on them and never worry about them.

"If we keep doing that I'm pretty sure we'll be at the top come May, if not then very near."

Wintle's Rotherham dismissal did not knock Cardiff off their stride. In fact it was quite the opposite, really, as Omari Kellyman opened the scoring from Tanner's cross from the edge of the box.

City doubled their lead through Chris Willock - with another assist from Tanner - before Isaak Davies added a third in second-half stoppage time.

"Everything that gets chucked at us, we keep our feet on the ground and deal with the situation at hand," said Tanner.

"After the red card, it became more of a dribbling game - you saw that with me and Chrissy [Willock]."

Having returned from a four-month injury lay-off in December, 23-year-old Tanner has started the past six games for Cardiff, and his productivity on the wing has been valuable with the Bluebirds currently enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run.

"I'm feeling good and feeling fit," he said.

"I'm thankful to the manager and the staff for the condition they've got me back into and the opportunities they've given me."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

League One leaders Cardiff City look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches when they travel to Rotherham United on Saturday (15:01 GMT).

A rejuvenated Rotherham have taken seven points from their last three games and have the chance to climb out of the relegation zone this weekend.

Cardiff, meanwhile, aim to respond after last weekend's draw at Burton Albion, where boss Brian Barry-Murphy called their performance "not good enough".

They travel to Yorkshire with Chris Willock believing Cardiff are now seen as a big game for anyone in the third tier.

"I think every team we play [it] is kind of their cup final," the in-form winger said.

" But we've got a squad to deal with it. We're focused on each game. We're back at it, ready to go and everyone's hungry."

The Burton draw meant second-placed Lincoln cut the gap to Cardiff to two points.

And though the Bluebirds have lost only five league matches all season, Barry-Murphy says Rotherham pose a threat.

The Millers beat Northampton in their previous home game before romping to a 4-0 triumph at mid-table Exeter City last weekend.

"Exeter was a huge result for them," Barry-Murphy said.

"They've usually played a back five with wing-backs, but recently changed to a back four. We're unsure what they'll do on Saturday, but we're well prepared for all eventualities."

Barry-Murphy believes Cardiff are improving as the season goes on - but says there is scope for more progress.

"It's easy to forget how young most of our squad is and they have so much room for improvement technically, tactically and physically," he added.

"We want to show we've learned from earlier in the season."

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Cardiff City's League One meeting with fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln City has been selected for live television coverage.

The Bluebirds, who are top of the table, host Lincoln, who are currently second, on Saturday, 7 March.

The game has been brought forward to a 12:30 GMT kick-off.

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says new signing Calum Scanlon has surprised him with how ready he is to get straight into action, despite not playing a first-team game for more than a year.

The League One leaders signed the 20-year-old Liverpool left-back on loan for the rest of the season last Sunday.

A serious hamstring injury means Scanlon has not played a senior match since January 2025, when he was on loan at Millwall in the Championship.

However, having been training with his new club this week, Scanlon is ready to make an instant impact.

"A brilliant addition," said Barry-Murphy. "He's already shown this week how ready he is.

"It took me by surprise a little bit, I suppose, because he hasn't had a lot of action. But he's an elite player with elite mentality.

"He wants to improve and we feel as if we can help him enormously to improve."

Scanlon could make his Cardiff debut in Saturday's League One trip to Rotherham United.

"I think he's a good player," said Bluebirds winger Chris Willock.

"We've trained with him a couple of times. He looks very fast, so I'm looking forward to playing with him."

Cardiff will be without centre-back Dylan Lawlor for the Rotherham game because of a minor knee injury.

Although striker Yousef Salech and attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill are still not ready to play, both are progressing well with their recoveries from neck and ankle injuries respectively.

"Yousef is improving day by day. No timescale on him due to the nature of his injury," said Barry-Murphy.

"Dylan Lawlor is expected to be back next week, so not available for Saturday.

"Rubin is back in training, but not available for Saturday. Early stages for him.

"I think he'll want to play straight away. He's flying. He just has to go through enough of the training so we know that when he comes back into the game, he's almost protected from himself as much as anything.

"But he's been back training this week and looked really good without much contact."

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Tamworth have signed striker Michael Reindorf from League One leaders Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has been on loan with League Two Newport County for the first half of the current campaign and scored once in 22 appearances in all competitions.

He played twice for the Bluebirds' first team in the Championship last term before having a loan stint with Bristol Rovers for the second half of the campaign in League One, where he featured in four matches.

Reindorf joins The Lambs with the club 13th in the National League.

"He's got real energy and flair. He gives us that extra spark in the final third," Tamworth boss Andy Peaks told the club website., external

"He's a player who wants to affect games, create chances, and score goals – that's exactly the kind of threat you want up top."

Ioan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales

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Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson believes the Bluebirds are the best team in League One this season.

The Australian international signed from Manchester City in August 2024 for a reported fee of around £1 million.

Robertson has been an integral part of Cardiff's promotion push in recent months, showing aggression and quality on the ball.

He scored twice at Burton last Saturday but was left disappointed as the game finished 2-2.

"It's nice to get some goals, but the main thing is the team performance and the team result and the fact we didn't win," said Robertson.

"Personally, I think we're the best team in the league, we just need to show that when we play against the bigger teams, like you've seen at Bradford.

"It's still a point in the right direction and we're just going to keep trying to build on that. It could mean a lot at the end of the season, so we've just got to take it."

Robertson's recent form is welcome after a less than easy start to life in south Wales.

Cardiff were relegated in his first season but the arrival last summer of new boss Brian Barry-Murphy - who had coached the Australian in his Manchester City academy days - looked promising for the 22-year-old.

Robertson though was repeatedly left out of Cardiff's matchday squads at the start of this season, with Barry-Murphy saying he needed to match the "intensity" of his fellow midfielders.

However, since his return against Bolton in October, he has been one of Cardiff's most consistent players which has left the Bluebirds' boss impressed.

"I want him to be as aggressive as he is, and even more so," said Barry-Murphy after his latest goal-scoring success.

"He's doing incredible work without the ball, which is very important for us. I'm very pleased with Alex and I'm very pleased with his contribution."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said his side fell "below standards" on Saturday, disappointed with a 2-2 draw that saw their lead at the top of League One cut in half.

While the Bluebirds had to settle for a point at Burton, Lincoln continued their impressive form beating Wigan 1-0 to reduce the gap behind Cardiff to just two points.

An Alex Robertson double had put Cardiff ahead midway through the second half at the Pirelli Stadium and Barry-Murphy was "not pleased" with the manner in which his side conceded a late equaliser.

"We always want to win and I felt once we got in front we would win, but today we didn't score enough goals to allow that to happen," said the City boss.

Saturday's result means the Brewers have now taken four points off the league leaders in their own bid for survival and Barry-Murphy acknowledged Burton's strength.

"They are very direct and create momentum with long throws and free-kicks," the 47-year-old added.

"We felt the best way to defend was to attack throughout the game."

Disappointed with a first half display that saw his side a goal down at the break, the Irishman was pleased with the response as Robertson's brace put them ahead with half an hour to play.

"The players implemented from the first minute of the second half what I wanted at half-time," Barry-Murphy said.

"We expect players like Alex Robertson, Joel Colwill, Dave Turnbull and Omari Kellyman to arrive in the box and show their quality, and Alex did that well."

However, a free-kick in the final 10 minutes denied Cardiff all three points.

"It's disappointing to concede like we did, but that can happen," Barry-Murphy added.

Still boasting the league's third-best defence, Cardiff now turn their attention to Saturday's trip to Rotherham, where they may face academy product Gabriel Biancheri who joined The Millers on deadline day on loan from Manchester United.

"Our focus is on trying to win the next game. Our intention is to be a dominant team in this league," concluded Barry-Murphy.

Find more Cardiff City content from BBC Sounds at the bottom of this page or on our dedicated club page.

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Cardiff City Under-21s have completed the permanent signings of forward Herbie James from Tottenham Hotspur and midfielder Isaac Davies from Nottingham Forest.

James, 19, is formerly of the Manchester City academy, while 18-year-old Davies is a Wales youth international.

"I'm so excited by this opportunity," said James. "More than anything I'm hungry to make an impact, to represent the city and meet the fans. Sometimes you get that gut feeling and it feels right.

"The goal is to get momentum between now and the end of the season. There's so much that I can learn. Once I'm in the environment it's game mode and being fully focused, with the aim to get involved with the first team squad.

"I always look to excite and get people watching on their feet. The game is about scoring goals, and I live for those moments."

Davies said: "I'm buzzing to be here. I know how big this club is and this city, being a one-club city is massive. I know a few of the boys here already so as soon as the offer came in, I knew I couldn't wait to get started.

"My strengths are playing on the ball, passing and breaking lines and, when I've spoken to staff here, they've said that's what they want to do, so I feel like I can add some value to the side.

"I've walked around Cardiff City Stadium and it's an amazing stadium. I can't wait to have the chance to play here. You've got loads of young players coming through so it's a good time to be joining the club."

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Cardiff City youngster Will Spiers has returned from a loan spell at Eastleigh just a month after joining the National League club.

Academy product Spiers joined Eastleigh for the remainder of the season on 3 January.

But the 20-year-old right-back is now back with Cardiff's under-21 squad.

He has made two senior appearances for the Bluebirds, in the EFL Trophy games against Newport and Arsenal Under-21s earlier this season.

Spiers has also played for Merthyr in this campaign on a youth loan deal.

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Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says in-form winger Chris Willock "will only improve" after impressing for Cardiff City this season.

Willock, 27, endured a frustrating first year in Wales, scoring twice in 32 league appearances as the Bluebirds were relegated from the Championship.

But Willock has enjoyed an upturn in form in League One, with his double in the 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley on Tuesday taking him to six goals this season.

"For a player of his calibre, he has to have the outcomes in terms of goals and assists," he said.

"That means being in a physical condition where he can deliver, not just relying on spectacular goals.

"He's getting towards where he needs to be physically now and he'll only improve."

Willock also has five assists in 25 league games this season, with Cardiff sitting top of the table and hoping for an immediate return to the Championship.

And Barry-Murphy says he has long been an admirer of the Arsenal academy graduate, who joined Cardiff from Queens Park Rangers in 2024.

"I always thought he was somebody I didn't ever think I'd get to work with," Barry-Murphy said.

"The chance that I have is very rewarding and we value him enormously. His journey was slightly unorthodox, but very normal for a young player.

"His time at QPR was where I saw him at his best – the football they played under Mark Warburton was amazing."

Willock's next opportunity to add to his goal tally comes when Cardiff go to Burton Albion on Saturday.

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Isaak Davies is another player who has been catching the eye out wide for Cardiff.

The 24-year-old has made 25 league appearances this season, chipping in with three goals and an assist and landing a first senior Wales cap.

"I've been so happy with him," said Barry-Murphy.

"He's helped me and the club out by playing wide so often this season, when we needed him to due to other injuries.

"We see him being a huge part of the Cardiff City future."

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High-flying Cardiff City travel to Burton Albion on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with boss Brian Barry-Murphy expecting a tough encounter.

The Bluebirds sit four points clear at the top of League One after comfortably beating Barnsley 4-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

Barry-Murphy is excited for the game and expects a tough encounter with the Brewers.

"It was a very difficult game when we played against them in our own stadium. They clearly showed how dangerous a team they are and have continued to do so," Barry-Murphy said.

Burton have lost their last two league games and sit 20th in the table, but will be looking to do the double on the league leaders after a Charlie Webster strike secured a 1-0 win for The Brewers in September.

"They've had some brilliant results against the top teams and obviously were very competitive in the game against Bolton on Tuesday," Barry-Murphy added.

"It's going to be a really tough game and one that we're really looking forward to."

Cardiff come into the game on the back of an eight-game unbeaten sequence despite a tough run of winter fixtures.

"I'm very pleased with the response of the players in that congested period," said the Bluebirds' head coach.

"We've managed to come through the other side of January with most of the players in a good physical state."

Supporters will be eager to see the return of playmaker Rubin Colwill - who has not appeared since sustaining an ankle injury in November - but will have to wait a little bit longer.

Barry-Murphy will be without him and Yousef Salech at Burton, but both are nearing a return.

"There's a lot of room for optimism especially with Rubin so close to a return and obviously Yousef," said Barry-Murphy.

"The squad is in a really good place and I'm very pleased."