Cardiff City

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League One leaders Cardiff City extended their advantage at the top to six points after victory over third placed Bradford City at Valley Parade on Saturday.

The Bluebirds were ruthless in a clinical first half, racing into a two goal lead inside 25 minutes, a start that delighted manager Brian Barry-Murphy.

"I'm really pleased with the performance, and for the supporters to get the victory in such an exciting manner is incredible," he said.

Barry Murphy was particularly impressed with Cardiff's opening goal having spoken in recent weeks about wanting to see more shots centrally from his team.

"We've scored a lot of goals from wide areas this season where we've had to cross it," he said.

"But to arrive in that central area was good for us, and the finish from David was typical Turnbull."

Cardiff were forced to show a different side of their game after Bradford pulled one back early in the second half. The response impressed their manager just as much as the attacking display.

"We had to weather the storm and defend the box for our lives," he said.

"Putting bodies on the line is part of what playing for Cardiff should be about.

"To win the game is important for us. It felt as if we played the game really well and deserved to win."

The Bluebirds will now look to extend their unbeaten run in League One to seven matches when they host fellow promotion contenders Stockport County at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 24 January (12:30 GMT).

Ioan Griffiths

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Cardiff City will be looking to extend their lead at the top of League One when they travel to third-placed Bradford City on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The Bluebirds head to Valley Parade after a hard-earned 1-1 draw away at Leyton Orient last weekend stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Brian Barry-Murphy's team will aim to avenge September's reverse fixture against Bradford, when Cardiff were swept aside by the Bantams in a 3-1 defeat.

"The home game against Bradford, we were doing really well and the stadium was full, everyone was coming expecting to see a great win," Barry-Murphy said.

"They blew us away and we weren't able to compete with them in that game on that occasion. Now we have to go and show that we're better than we were back then, which we believe we are."

Bradford are six points behind Cardiff with a game in hand and are unbeaten in their past four home matches.

Cardiff will attempt to become only the second visiting side to take three points at Valley Parade this season.

"We need to be confident we can play our best and prove we're good enough to beat anyone," Barry-Murphy added.

"We're constantly evaluating how much we're improving. This has to be tested every week and this is the way to do it."

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has been named the League One manager of the month for December.

The table-topping Bluebirds won five of their six league fixtures during the month, collecting 15 points from a possible 18.

"There was a lot of sacrifice during the month of December," said 47-year-old Barry-Murphy.

"We asked a lot because of how important it was with so many games. The lads put in some incredible performances in a condensed period.

"I have a real gratitude for everyone who made it possible for us to have such a positive month."

The former Manchester City academy coach was recruited from Leicester City last summer, following Cardiff's relegation from the Championship.

The other nominees for the December award were Ian Evatt (Blackpool), Michael Skubala (Lincoln City) and former Swansea City boss Luke Williams (Peterborough United).

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Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says midfielder Joel Colwill is "in my face every single day" on the training pitch to show his "hunger" to play for Cardiff City.

Colwill has had a breakthrough season at his boyhood club, with his form for the League One leaders seeing him land a first Wales cap.

He has started 12 league games and come off the bench on 10 further occasions but his most recent league start came in the win at Stevenage in early December,

Colwill, 21, also started the defeat against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in mid-December, but his league appearances have been limited recently.

Alex Robertson and Ryan Wintle have occupied Cardiff's central midfield positions over the Christmas period and into the new year, while Omari Kellyman's continued improvement has earned him league starts in the number 10 position.

Kellyman is an injury doubt for Saturday's trip to Bradford City after a groin injury forced him off the field in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient.

"He hasn't had the minutes in recent weeks that he would have wanted or that I would have wanted to give him based on how well he's done," said Barry-Murphy of Colwill.

"I just think over the course of the season he's going to be a huge player for us and he's going to have a huge impact.

"If you look back to pre-season he probably wouldn't have expected to play all the games he did at the start of the season and then once he's done that he wants more."

Colwill made his Cardiff debut back in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Cheltenham and then Exeter.

He has established himself at the Cardiff City Stadium this term, making 27 appearances in all competitions so far.

"I just ask him to understand in this moment that as long as he keeps doing what he's doing, his turn will come and then he's going to have a huge part to play in what would be a great season for him," Barry-Murphy added.

"But he's impatient, you know, which is part of who he is."

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Kion Etete has returned to Cardiff City after his season-long loan at Rotherham United was cut short.

The 24-year-old made 14 appearances for the Millers but failed to register a goal or an assist.

The 6ft 6in striker signed for Cardiff in 2022 and has nine goals in 63 appearances for the Bluebirds.

Having coming through the youth team at Notts County, Etete signed for Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 before joining Cardiff three years later.

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Cardiff City midfielder Troy Perrett has joined Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the season, while the Glovers have also signed Joy Mukena on a permanent deal from Crawley Town.

Perrett, 19, has made four senior appearances for the Bluebirds, scoring one goal.

Mukena has made 47 appearances for Crawley and was part of the squad that won promotion to League One in 2023-24.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Classic question for Cardiff City fans after Saturday's 1-1 draw at League One strugglers Leyton Orient - one point gained or two dropped?

We asked Bluebirds supporters whether or not the performance at Orient gave them the jitters as Brian Barry-Murphy's men push for an immediate return to the Championship.

Here are some of the responses.

James: No jitters at all. Orient have the ability to test anyone and beat Bradford City only a few weeks ago. In fact, I believe Orient are now unbeaten against the current top four at Brisbane Road, so a point gained when not playing as well as we can do, AND coming from behind to grab it, should be seen as a decent outcome.

Jon: Going to sound like a broken record here but far too much passing backwards and sideways, not enough crosses into the box or shooting when the opportunity arises. It's been like it all season and could cost us promotion unless the club act now and bring in reinforcements in January!

Suzanne: Wouldn't criticise anything - can't remember the last time I enjoyed the season so much! I just hope we can keep hold of BBM.

Viv: Leyton Orient looked a good team to me, I'm surprised they are struggling. We looked tired and a bit predictable….all crosses from the wingers, when Salech proved he's far more than just a head.

Steve: Cardiff are not ruthless enough in front of goal and Saturday's result was two points lost - as was Wycombe the (away) game before. Away from home performance has been nowhere good enough all season.

Rich: No jitters here. We have an excellent squad to achieve promotion and a manager who is perfectly equipped for the current job. At the moment we are favourites for promotion. Stay positive. Onwards.

Gino: Anyone who knows the division well knows that Orient away isn't an easy game. As with most of our matches this season, we were made to work hard for the point and any points away from home are welcome. There's a long way to go yet, but we've put ourselves in a good position to kick on for automatic promotion.

Motty: Not really. Four points clear of second, a good way ahead of seventh. We will win this league with ease - we haven't actually played that well yet! Been surprised with the standard of League One, expected a lot more. We're 10 wins from having it all wrapped up.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy insists his League One leaders still have "a lot" of improving to do despite extending their unbeaten run to five matches with a 1-1 draw at struggling Leyton Orient on Saturday.

A rare error from goalkeeper Nathan Trott gifted Orient the opener, but the on-loan FC Copenhagen stopper responded impressively.

"He played really well after he made a great save for us and in the second half his performance was pretty flawless," Barry-Murphy said.

"There's no shame in that situation in playing longer and getting the ball away from where the opponents are at their most dangerous. He recognised that well and showed good maturity, which is a sign of his growth."

A superb Yousef Salech solo goal pulled Cardiff level but Barry-Murphy felt his side lacked composure in front of goal.

"I know we scored from Callum Chambers' rocket last week against Wigan, but some of our shooting against Leyton Orient was a bit wild and reckless," he added.

"We want to shoot from good areas centrally. I feel as if we can improve a lot."

With Omari Kellyman forced off with a suspected groin issue and Dylan Lawlor unable to play in east London as "he wasn't fully fit from a hamstring issue last week", Barry-Murphy stressed that setbacks create opportunities.

One player pushing for more minutes is Joel Colwill, who the Irish coach says has trained "exceptionally" in recent weeks.

While the manager was not fully satisfied with his side's overall display, he was encouraged by the Bluebird's response after the break.

"As the game wore on, the team performed admirably," said Barry-Murphy.

"We understood what was needed in the second half much better, and I'm very pleased with how the players handled that."

Cardiff now turn their attention to a crucial trip to third-placed Bradford on 17 January as they look to strengthen their grip on top spot.

Image source, BBC Sport

On paper, League One leaders Cardiff City should perhaps have been confident when they went to struggling Leyton Orient on Saturday.

But they came away with an unimpressive 1-1 draw and ended the day four points clear of second-place Lincoln City.

Does that performance give Cardiff fans the jitters at what lies ahead as the Bluebirds continue their bid for promotion back to the Championship?

Let us know your views by clicking here.