Cardiff's 'tough boss' Tan always wants more goals

Owner Vincent Tan last attended a Cardiff City game in 2023

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says owner Vincent Tan is a "tough boss" who is always demanding more goals, despite Cardiff City's near-perfect start to the season.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten in all competitions this campaign and sit at the head of League One having collected 17 of the 21 points on offer so far under Barry-Murphy.

Cardiff have scored 12 goals and conceded only two as they prepare for a top-of-the-table encounter with Bradford City at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, but Barry-Murphy says Tan is pushing for perfection.

"I speak to him before and after every game," said Barry-Murphy, who was appointed in the summer following relegation from the Championship.

"He's a tough boss. He wants things done in the way he expects. Obviously he's enjoying the games and he wants more - as we all do.

"He always wants more goals and less conceded, which is obviously my job. If I do it well enough, he'll be happy, and if I don't he won't be."

Tan has not been to a Cardiff game since 2023, but Barry-Murphy is keen for the Malaysian businessman to make a trip to south Wales soon as the Bluebirds bid for an immediate return to the second tier.

"I would hope so," Barry-Murphy said when asked if Tan is planning to attend a game in the near future.

"I hope he's enjoying what he's seeing. Our intention is to give him more of that.

"He has a clear way he wants to see the game played, and my job is to try to supply that in the way I know how."

The 47-year-old coach says his new-look Cardiff side - now featuring several academy graduates such as Wales internationals Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio - have adjusted to League One football better than he expected.

"I expected us to play really well and produce performances like we have done, but the players' understanding of how we want to do that has probably exceeded my expectations," Barry-Murphy said.

"We expected to be competitive and to win games. It's clear that we have to. But it's how quickly they've adapted."

The Irishman does concede they have not had things all their own way on the pitch this season, notably in their last outing when a 97th-minute Yousef Salech goal stole a point against a superior Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

"We saw a clear sign last Saturday that we weren't at our best in trying to overcome Stockport," added Barry-Murphy.

"We still have a lot of work to do to be competitive in this league.

"Bradford will be a great test for us. It's a great game coming back in front of what will be a huge crowd for us."