Attacking philosophy has benefited us defensively - Baganpublished at 15:38 BST 2 September 2025
15:38 BST 2 September 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan believes their excellent defensive record this season is down to Brian Barry-Murphy's attacking philosophy.
The Bluebirds are still unbeaten this season and sit top of the League One table on 16 points.
They are the league's joint top goal scorers with 11, and also boast the league's best defence with only one goal conceded.
They've gone almost nine hours without conceding a league goal - that came against Peterborough on the opening weekend of the season.
"We've had the ball a lot longer in games. If you look at the possession stats then the numbers are high. Brian has told me and Ronan (Kpakio) that the best way to defend is to attack - take their wingers backwards," said Bagan.
"You want to be in a team that's got the ball. I feel that I play better when I've got the ball and I'm involved in the game.
"I just want to keep working on that and get some assists and goals now as well."
Cardiff's back four for most of the season has consisted of three players who have come through the academy system - Bagan, Dylan Lawlor and Kpakio.
And Bagan believes that has also played a part in their strong start to the season.
"From the first game, and even in pre-season, we got used to working with each other," Bagan added.
"Me, Dylan, and Ronan have come through the academy, and I think that makes it easier because we know each other's strengths.
"When we're so close - like we are in the changing room - you want to push that extra yard for each other.
"Every week we're getting stronger and stronger and I think you can see that in the performances."
Barry-Murphy hopes Cardiff tribute brings comfort to Bamba familypublished at 16:13 BST 30 August 2025
16:13 BST 30 August 2025
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy hopes the club's tribute to its former captain, the late Sol Bamba, will have been a source of comfort for his family.
The Bluebirds beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0 on Saturday, a day short of a year since former Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Leicester City defender Bamba died at the age of 39.
Fans from both clubs applauded for a whole minute 14 minutes into the game, a reference to Bamba's squad number at Cardiff.
Barry-Murphy then held aloft a scarf bearing Bamba's name as he celebrated victory with the Bluebirds supporters after the final whistle.
"My wife was really close to Chloe [Bamba's wife] so she knows the family really well, so a real awareness of what they went through," said Barry-Murphy.
"I lost my own friend [former Rochdale player Joe Thompson] to cancer recently, and I think it just makes you realise how fragile life is. We obsess about everything in football, but really, it's just a small part of people's lives.
"I think it was just important that for his [Bamba's] family and for our supporters to have that feeling of being connected. It will give a lot of people a lot of feeling of comfort in what is going to be a difficult time, bearing in mind how close it is to his anniversary."
'Old' Wintle enjoying senior role with youthful Cardiff Citypublished at 04:53 BST 29 August 2025
04:53 BST 29 August 2025
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Image caption,
Ryan Wintle joined Cardiff City in 2021
Midfielder Ryan Wintle says he is enjoying being a senior figure in the Cardiff City dressing room - even if he is just 28.
Wintle started Cardiff's season-opening game at home Peterborough United as the oldest player by five years, such has been the youth movement adopted by new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.
It is an approach that has led Cardiff to an unbeaten start to the season and has taken the Bluebirds to the top of the League One table.
"With the turnaround in the summer, we've got a lot of young players," said Wintle.
"In the first game of the season, I think I was five years the oldest. I felt old. Obviously, I'm not old, you know, I'm 28, I should be in my prime, really.
"But it's good to be with young players who are hungry and want to learn and improve, and you can see that we are getting better by every game.
"I was one of them, you know, 10 or 11 years ago. Everyone's got to enjoy the ride.
"If I can help by using a bit of my experience, then hopefully we'll get promoted and that'll be a good thing for everyone."
One player who has been a big part of the new, youthful Cardiff City has been attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill.
The Wales international, 23, has - according to Wintle - been given more freedom by Barry-Murphy.
"I spoke to the manager partly about him when he first came in and I said with Rubin, he's got all the ability in the world, he should be in the Premier League, but he's not quite had the right coaching to say, 'this is what you have to do'," Wintle said.
"With this manager, he's kind of given him a freedom, but he's said to him, 'this is what you've got to do and this is how you'll get good numbers and this is how you'll win games and you'll look even better'. And he's been doing it so far so, hopefully, it continues.
"He's 6ft 6in and probably the best mover on the ball I've ever seen. I always compare him to Morgan Rodgers [of Aston Villa] and people like that.
"He's got that ceiling and he's got to be looking at that now and especially with this coach, he's only going to take him higher and higher, hopefully with us. So hopefully, he can get there."
Trott '50-50' for Plymouth but Turnbull and Robertson ruled outpublished at 12:31 BST 28 August 2025
12:31 BST 28 August 2025
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Cardiff City goalkeeper Nathan Trott has been given a '50-50' chance of being fit for Saturday's League One match against Plymouth Argyle by Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy.
But midfielders David Turnbull and Alex Robertson have both been ruled out for the game at the Cardiff City Stadium (12:30 BST).
Trott has a tight hamstring while Robertson has also been complaining of his own hamstring pains.
Turnbull has a had a groin scan which has showed he will be out for around 10 days.
Trott's potential omission from the Argyle game would come as a blow to Barry-Murphy's side, who sit top of League One thanks in some part to Trott's performances in goal.
The 26-year-old, on loan from FC Copenhagen, has conceded just one goal in five appearances. If missing he will be replaced by either Matthew Turner, who started the season in goal against Peterborough United, or Jak Alnwick, who has returned to training after illness.
When asked about Trott's impact, Barry-Murphy said: "He's done exceptionally well. He's had a really positive influence on the team which is what we hoped for.
"The opportunity for Matt Turner was evident on Tuesday [against Cheltenham Town], you saw the energy he created for the team because of how good he was.
"If Matt Turner feels he has no chance of playing, that's not what we want."
Burton fixture postponed
Meanwhile, Cardiff City's home League One game with Burton Albion originally scheduled for Saturday, 6 September has been postponed due to international call-ups.
A new date for this match will be announced in due course, meaning after Saturday's match with Plymouth the Bluebirds' next game will be the league trip to Stockport County on 13 September.
'Impossible to say' if Cardiff are finished in transfer windowpublished at 06:55 BST 28 August 2025
06:55 BST 28 August 2025
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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says it is "impossible to say" whether or not the club will be doing any more business before the transfer window closes.
So far the Bluebirds have only brought in Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott on loan, while 11 senior players have departed since last season.
Centre-back Jesper Daland was once again not included in the Cardiff matchday squad for their 3-0 EFL Cup win over Cheltenham.
Barry-Murphy confirmed the defender, who signed for around £3.5m from Cercle Brugge last year, is in "advanced discussions" with other teams.
"As things stand he is still a Cardiff player and we see so many times the unpredictable nature of this window," said Barry-Murphy.
"He has been training exceptionally well but he has not been fully active the past few days as he's been engaged in advanced discussions with other clubs."
As for incomings, Barry-Murphy dismissed rumours linking the club to Sparta Prague defender Patrick Vydra and would not been drawn on reports surrounding Auxerre defender Gabriel Osho.
"We have people in mind that remain consistent and constant," Barry-Murphy said.
"Our priority is to got those people in and if we don't then work back from there.
"I think there will be some [incomings], but it is impossible to say."
The transfer window closes on Monday, 1 September at 19:00 BST.
Promotion 'real possibility' but 'far too early to say'published at 12:38 BST 25 August 2025
12:38 BST 25 August 2025
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After victory at Luton we asked you if current League One leaders Cardiff City are destined to go straight back to the Championship.
Here is what you had to say.
Mick: You never want to jinx things with early comments, but this young team are gradually clicking together and playing the way the Boss wants them too. Early results are probably beyond pre-season expectations but if the bubble doesn't burst then a return to the Championship is a real possibility.
Carl: Very good so far although we have ridden our luck at times. We need to defend better to stop the reliance on our keepers. Would be good to get a few signings in before the transfer window closes. Every game the youngsters play they grow a little, long may it last.
Jon: I was at Luton on Saturday and was so impressed with our young team and especially our ability to see out the game! I think we are two or three players light of a promotion team particularly as the youngsters are going to need help. It's a long season but the style of play compared to the other sides in the division is fantastic!
James: It's far too early to say if our young guns can continue on with their surprising but excellent start. If Brian Marry-Murphy is able to bring a few bodies in before the window shuts then we may be in with a shout but even if we 'only' make the playoffs it'll have been an incredible achievement.
Andrea: It is much too early to make a prediction, although if Nathan Trott's form continues City will prove extraordinarily hard to score against, never mind beat. He's a match-winner, as he proved against Luton. What is great is that City are exciting to watch again. What a transformation.
Mike: They have not invested in new recruits massively so the good start has been very important. Confidence is great when you're winning but can they stand up to the challenge when things get tough? This season will make many of the youngsters men or it will put them back a few years in their development.