Barry-Murphy: We must turn our ‘dominance into goals’
Cardiff City's fine form continued with victory at Wigan Athletic on Saturday, but head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says his team must put opponents to the sword when the opportunity comes.
The Bluebirds are back in action against Burton Albion on Tuesday (19:45 BST).
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Carabao Cup fourth-round tie between Wrexham and Cardiff City will take place on Tuesday, 28 October (20:00 GMT).
The game at the Stok Cae Ras has been selected for live TV coverage on free-to-air ITV as well as Sky Sports.
This will be the first meeting between the two Welsh sides since 2004, when Wrexham triumphed on penalties in an FAW Premier Cup tie.
It is also the first match between the two clubs in this competition in 62 years.
Championship side Wrexham have reached the fourth round courtesy of wins over Hull City, Preston North End and Reading, while League One high-flyers Cardiff have seen off Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town and Premier League Burnley.
Image source, BBC SportCardiff City continue their quest for promotion with matches against Burton Albion and Leyton Orient prior to the penultimate international break of the year.
But how many points do you think the Bluebirds will gain from the upcoming double header?
Image source, Getty ImagesBrian Barry-Murphy insists Cardiff City have plenty to work on despite their promising start to the season.
Cardiff have lost only one of their 12 league games in all competitions this season and claimed a notable Carabao Cup scalp as they won 2-1 at Premier League Burnley in midweek.
The mood at the Cardiff City Stadium has shifted dramatically following the misery of Championship relegation last season.
But Barry-Murphy, who joined the Bluebirds as head coach in June, wants more from his team as they head to Wigan Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST).
"We played really well [at Burnley] on Tuesday and got what we thought was a deserved victory, but we can still do a lot better in certain elements of our game," he said.
"We have an awareness that we are still in the early stages of the season. There's a tiny minority of games gone and we have a lot of improving to do.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency"We are confident that if we can reach the levels of intensity we did for large periods of Tuesday more often, and with better quality, then we will be fine."
Cardiff have slipped to fourth in League One after home defeat to Bradford City last weekend.
The Bantams are now three points better off than Cardiff at the top of the table – although Barry-Murphy's side have a game in hand.
"I think you saw when we played Bradford, we didn't play without the ball how we wanted to," Barry-Murphy added.
"Our pressing was not consistent enough and we didn't defend against them in any way, shape or form the way we'd want to.
"In possession we were okay, we created good chances but weren't good enough to take them. But you saw what it looked like on Tuesday what when we played with the intensity we want."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCallum Robinson says he is enjoying life under Brian Barry-Murphy despite facing a fight for game-time at Cardiff City this season.
Robinson finished as Cardiff's 12-goal top scorer as they were relegated from the Championship in 2024-25, but has started only one league game this term.
The 30-year-old has, though, been involved in every fixture this season, and has been impressed by Barry-Murphy's work since he took charge of the Welsh club in the summer.
"Brian's a top, top manager and first of all a top guy," Robinson said.
"I think that's the main thing with being a manager - being good with the players."
Republic of Ireland forward Robinson says he has "had conversations" with Barry-Murphy about his role in the Cardiff side.
"I want to be involved, I want to be playing minutes. Like everyone, all 25 of us in that squad want to be on the pitch and playing," he added.
"But it's how you train and how you perform in training and in games when you get your minutes. Obviously since he's been in the building – or in my career anywhere really - I've been training as hard as I can.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency"Hopefully maybe he has seen that over the last month or two, since the season started, and now I'm getting my chance."
Robinson had not scored a goal this season until he struck in last week's EFL Trophy win at Exeter.
He followed that by netting off the bench against Bradford City last weekend and then struck again in the midweek Carabao Cup win at Burnley, meaning he will be looking to make it four goals in as many games when Cardiff go to Wigan on Saturday (15:00 BST).
"I'm happy," Robinson added. "I've obviously had to wait to get more chances, to get more minutes.
"Since the break yeah, I've been getting more minutes and then scoring more goals. I'm on the pitch longer so you're going to get more chances and I'm scoring more goals. It's been a good week."
Image source, Getty ImagesCardiff City's League One visit to Barnsley has been postponed due to anticipated international call-ups.
The match was due to take place at Oakwell during the upcoming international window, on Saturday, 11 October.
But the decision has been made to call the game off because Cardiff are expected to have players involved in Wales' matches at both senior and under-21 level.
Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill were all part of Wales' senior squad in the last international camp, while Rubin Colwill was also called upon but missed out through injury.
Wales host Belgium in a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Monday, 13 October, four days after they play England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wales Under-21s face Belgium in Newport, in a European qualifier, before visiting Austria four days later.
The Bluebirds say a new date for the Barnsley trip will be confirmed in due course.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says Alex Robertson must match the "intensity" of his fellow midfielders to regain his place in the team.
Having featured regularly as the Bluebirds were relegated from the Championship last season, Robertson missed the start of this campaign in League One with a leg injury he sustained during pre-season.
But despite being available for selection for Cardiff's past two matches, the Australia international has been left out of successive matchday squads.
"He's back in full training and he has to show that he's ready to compete with the other players and, at the moment, he's not, based on a number of factors," said Barry-Murphy.
"He obviously got injured in the last game of pre-season, and he's back in full training also, so he will be available once he reaches that level of intensity that's required in the group.
"But it's good news he's pain-free and in full training and ready to compete. For every member of our squad, there's a level of intensity required to compete for a place in the team, and Alex isn't at that level yet based on the volume of training he's had."
Meanwhile, Wales right-back Ronan Kpakio will miss Saturday's League One trip to Wigan Athletic but has avoided serious injury having been withdrawn during last weekend's first defeat of the season at home to Bradford City.
"The scan was really positive," said Barry-Murphy. "There's no tear to the bottom of his foot, which we were slightly concerned about, so that's really good news.
"He won't be available for Saturday, but the big thing for us is there's no long-term damage or anticipated prolonged absence."
Dylan Lawlor missed the match against Bradford and Tuesday's EFL Cup win at Burnley but is close to a return.
"Dylan will train today [Thursday] for the first time since last Friday," said Barry-Murphy.
"So we haven't seen him with us since then and then we'll see how he goes then tomorrow."
Image source, Getty ImagesNathan Broadhead struck both goals against Reading to help fire Wrexham into the fourth round of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1977.
But the Wales international's household may well be split when Phil Parkinson's side host Cardiff City in round four next month.
Prior to the draw being made, the 27-year-old admitted he wanted Wrexham to be paired with the Bluebirds in the next round as his father supports Brian Barry-Murphy's side.
"I'd love Cardiff. My old man's a Cardiff fan," Broadhead said.
"I don't know what side he'd be on."
The former Ipswich Town man got his wish - with the pair set to meet at the Stok Cae Ras during the week beginning 27 October.
It ensures at least one Welsh team will reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Given Swansea City's progress, the next round will see three Welsh teams feature in the last-16 for the first time in the competition's history.
And Broadhead feels the cup progress further demonstrates how Welsh football is in a good place at present.
"It just shows where Welsh football's going," he said.
"We're making steps, Craig Bellamy, Wrexham, I'm happy."
Image source, Huw Evans AgencyJoel Colwill wants a big Premier League side in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after helping Cardiff City knock out top-flight Burnley.
The Wales midfielder opened the scoring at Turf Moor and Callum Robinson added a second as the Bluebirds beat Scott Parker's second-string Clarets 2-1.
It is the first time Cardiff have reached the last 16 since they made it all the way to the final in 2012, losing to Liverpool on penalties at Wembley.
And Colwill hopes League One Cardiff will get the chance to rub shoulders with football royalty again when the 2025-26 competition resumes next month.
"Any of the big Premier League teams would be good," said the 20-year-old.
"We deserve the chance to test ourselves. In my opinion, these players are playing in the best league in the world, and to come up against them is something to be proud of and to see where we are against them.
"Really, it doesn't matter who we play... whether it's Man City or Bradford, we're going to play our way, play our patterns."
Scoring at Turf Moor was the latest highlight in a breakthrough season for Colwill, having established himself in the Bluebirds' first team and made his first senior appearance for Wales, in the 1-0 friendly defeat by Canada this month.
"Personally, I've really enjoyed the season. We (Cardiff) have played some really good football and I've thoroughly enjoyed it," said Colwill, who had loan spells at Cheltenham and Exeter last season.
"There's always more you can do, but it's been a really good start and I just want to continue it."
Colwill hopes Burnley proves to be the launchpad for another winning run after Bradford City ended Cardiff's 10-game unbeaten streak last Saturday.
The Bluebirds head north again on Saturday to face Wigan Athletic.
"Bradford are a good team, but it was important for us to try to get another win and forget about that loss, start a new run of winning games," said Colwill.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyFormer Wales striker Iwan Roberts says Cardiff City were worthy winners after they shocked Premier League Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
Cardiff are through to the fourth round of the competition for the first time in 13 years after they responded to their first League One defeat of the season in style.
Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy made five changes to the side beaten by Bradford City on Saturday, but the Bluebirds were still strong enough to beat Scott Parker's second-string Burnley line-up 2-1 at Turf Moor.
"It was a great performance," Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru.
"Brian Barry-Murphy got the reaction he hoped for. Scott Parker made 11 changes to the Burnley team from the weekend, but they still had a strong side.
"Cardiff were so positive from the start – they played attacking football from the first whistle. Cardiff were the better team."
Fourth-round ties will be played in the week commencing Monday, 27 October, with Cardiff set to discover who they will face next in Wednesday night's draw.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyHead coach Brian Barry-Murphy praised Cardiff City's character as they responded to their first defeat of the season by beating Premier League side Burnley in the Carabao Cup.
Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Turf Moor followed the Bluebirds' 3-1 League One loss at home to Bradford City on Saturday.
Cardiff can now look forward to a first fourth-round tie since 2012, when they went on to reach the final at Wembley only to be beaten by Liverpool.
"It means a lot to us to play the way we did and bounce back from what was undoubtedly a disappointing day for us on Saturday," Barry-Murphy told BBC Sport Wales.
"It means a lot in terms of how we want to play. I think when you come to play a team in the Premier League, you've got two choices: you can either step back and hope for the best or try and take your destiny into your own hands.
"We were very aggressive in the way we played the game, and the lads were on the front foot right from the first whistle."
Cardiff were well worth their win over Burnley, leading 2-0 at half-time and creating chances to extend their lead after conceding in the second half.
Their Premier League opponents searched desperately for a late equaliser but the Bluebirds defended resolutely.
"I think you have to show character all the time in sport as in life," said Barry-Murphy.
"There will have been question marks in the players' minds, as there would have been in our supporters' minds.
"But for the supporters to come here on a Tuesday night, this length of a journey and probably do the same distance on Saturday [for the League One trip to Wigan Athletic], is testament to them. We wanted to reward that and give them a performance to enjoy."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCardiff City will discover their Carabao Cup fourth-round opponents when the draw is made at around 22:00 BST on Wednesday.
The League One side booked their place in the last 16 with an impressive 2-1 win at Premier League Burnley on Tuesday.
Cardiff can look forward to a first fourth-round tie since 2012, when they went on to reach the final at Wembley only to be beaten by Liverpool.
Fellow Welsh sides Wrexham and Swansea City will join the Bluebirds in the draw, which takes place after the final third-round ties are played on Wednesday.
This is the first time in League Cup history that three Welsh clubs have reached the fourth round.
Fourth-round ties will be played in the week commencing Monday, 27 October.
Asked who he would like to face, Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy said: "A lot of my wife's family are Arsenal fans and hoping for that but I'm not bothered."
On the prospect of facing his former club Manchester City and their boss Pep Guardiola, Barry-Murphy added: "I think he's got bigger priorities but it would be good to see him. He's done a lot for me so I'll always be grateful.
"A home tie would be nice."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyCardiff City owner Vincent Tan is planning to attend a home game before Christmas - having faced criticism from fans for his absence.
The most recent match Tan went to at Cardiff City Stadium was the 2-2 Championship draw with Plymouth Argyle on 26 December, 2023.
That was 13 months after the Malaysian billionaire's previous visit, and his absence since has often been highlighted by disgruntled supporters.
Bluebirds fans have staged protests against Tan and the club's board in recent years, calling on them to leave.
Their anger was at its most intense last season when Cardiff were relegated from the Championship, but the mood has improved since then with the team fourth in League One after an encouraging start to this campaign.
Image source, BBC SportCardiff City's unbeaten start to life under Brian Barry-Murphy was emphatically ended as the Bluebirds were beaten 3-1 by League One promotion rivals Bradford City.
Following a poor showing at Stockport County a week earlier, is the loss to the Bantams a concern, or is it merely - as Barry-Murphy put it - a "bump in the road"?
Image source, Huw Evans AgencyWales defender Ronan Kpakio will have a scan on a heel injury that has left Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy "concerned".
The 18-year-old was withdrawn at half-time of the Bluebirds' 3-1 League One defeat by Bradford City.
And Barry-Murphy confirmed it was due to injury that will now need further examination.
"He had an issue with his heel which we get scanned tomorrow (Sunday) - I don't know how serious or not it is, but it's a slight concern for me.
"He doesn't get injured a lot so I'm a little bit worried about that one."
Kpakio has featured in all eight games so far this season in what has become a breakthrough campaign for the academy graduate.
Cardiff were already without another impressive youngster for the game against Bradford, with Dylan Lawlor unable to shake off a groin injury.
Lawlor, 19, trained the day before the Bradford game, but was unable to complete the session, leaving Cardiff refusing to risk the centre-back – but hopeful he could make his return shortly.
Both Kpakio and Lawlor forced their way into Craig Bellamy's Wales squad during September's international window, Lawlor making his debut in the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan with Kpakio winning his first cap in the friendly with Canada.
Wales next face a friendly with England on 9 October and a key qualifier with Belgium four days later.
Cardiff travel to Premier League Burnley in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, before returning to League One action against Wigan Athletic at Cardiff City Stadium next Saturday.
