Table-toppers Cardiff rejoice under Barry-Murphy

Brian Barry-Murphy coached the likes of Leicester and Manchester City before joining Cardiff

When Cardiff City signed off for the first international break of last season with a 2-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough, they were in the midst of the worst start to a campaign in their history, a malaise which ultimately led to relegation from the Championship.

On Saturday, 364 days later, the contrast could scarcely have been starker as the Bluebirds finished their first block of League One fixtures with a thumping 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle, one of the teams who had joined them on their way down from the second tier.

A joyous atmosphere took hold of the rain-sodden Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, the home fans rejoicing in a fifth win from six league games under new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy that kept them top of the table.

These are early days, of course, but Cardiff's supporters are right to savour these moments because joy has been in short supply in the Welsh capital in recent years.

"We're trying to give them something to feel excited about," said Barry-Murphy. "And you really do have to back that up when it comes to the actual games.

"The energy we've had from them every single day, and understanding there's going to be some downs along the way this season, hopefully not as many as previously. But as long as we give our all and look to impress them, I think we'll be fine."

Brian-Murphy is not one to get carried away, and he does not feel he can pass comment on what came before him.

After all, the Irishman was not at Cardiff for the miserable seasons of underachievement and infighting that preceded his arrival this summer.

But he was aware of it and, just as he felt the waves of goodwill cascading from the stands on Saturday, Barry-Murphy also understands that he and his players are changing the mood of the club.

"Brian Barry-Murphy has created a real good feeling and good squad here," former Cardiff and Wales striker Nathan Blake told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think they're far more attacking, they're better defensively. The youth, the vibrancy, the energy. Barry-Murphy has brought the philosophy to the club when it should be the club having a philosophy to bring the manager into.

"So hopefully, regardless of what happens in future, what you're seeing Cardiff do now is what most fans would like to see – that upbeat football, scoring goals."

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy is another impressed by the goings on at his former club, describing Barry-Murphy's renovation job as a "reset".

It is an apt description. Cardiff have been crying out for this kind of rejuvenation for what feels like an age.

Recent seasons have been blighted by dismal results and performances on the pitch and, perhaps equally as damaging, a wider disillusionment that has led to fan protests and calls for owner Vincent Tan to leave.

Many supporters and former players, Blake among them, will argue that the most meaningful change will come when Tan eventually decides to sell the club.

But in the meantime, Tan, chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo are enjoying something of a respite from the torrential criticism thanks to the work of Barry-Murphy and his players.

They are only six games into the season and there are 40 left in their bid to make an immediate return to the Championship.

But after their best start to a campaign since 2017-18 when they won promotion to the Premier League, Cardiff look to be turning a corner.