Cardiff City

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Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City were naive as they lost their place at the top of the League One table.

But the Bluebirds head coach is confident his young side will be better from the first "bump in the road" of Bradford City's 3-1 win.

The defeat ended Cardiff's unbeaten start to the season, with the Bantams replacing them at the top of the third tier.

But Barry-Murphy admitted Cardiff did not defend well enough, missed chances and were guilty of being sucked into a feisty battle that disrupted hopes of a comeback.

"I think it's naturally very disappointing when you lose a game that's been billed as a top-of-the-table clash," Barry-Murphy said.

"We had some really, really good chances close to the goal which were better than we had in the previous weeks and we just didn't take them today.

"If you don't take those chances in the game of this magnitude, you're really reliant on being watertight at the back.

"And I think from front to back, we didn't defend well enough today to give ourselves a chance to win the game."

Callum Robinson's goal 13 minutes from time did pose the question of a potential comeback, but Barry-Murphy said his team blew the chance of a grandstand finish by committing too many fouls.

"We want to be an aggressive team who are on the front foot, but it's not an excuse to give needless or reckless fouls," the former Manchester City academy coach said.

"When Callum scored, there was a really good atmosphere and I was really keen to get another opportunity to enter the box and put Bradford a pressure and see if they could defend it.

"But we were quite naive and allowed Bradford take the sting out the game.

"And that's just important for us to understand how to chase the game when we are there."

It is the first time Cardiff have been beaten in any fixture since Barry-Murphy took charge this summer, the result seeing the side drop to fourth, three points behind new leaders Bradford with a game in hand.

But he added: "I believe in the talent we have in the dressing room. We don't go looking for defeats or for setbacks, but it's inevitable it's going to happen.

"Our dressing room has to become very calm in these situations because we know we're what we're working on individually and the players are improving - but it isn't going to be without bumps in the road.

"I watched really closely for clear signs in the second half of the behaviour from our team. Days like this can teach you more than any victory does, but you have to go through that to know it.

"You have to be so focused on how you improve week to week that it can't change based on what happens in the results."

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Dylan Lawlor has got what it takes to reach the top, according to his Cardiff City centre-back partner Will Fish, who has helped the Bluebirds to their unbeaten start in League One.

Lawlor has been one of the success stories of the season for Brian Barry-Murphy's impressive promotion-chasers.

The 19-year-old's form earned him a first Wales cap and plaudits from plenty of former players.

Now fellow defender Fish has also heaped praise on Lawlor after their time together in a Bluebirds backline that has already kept five clean sheets.

"Dyl's got everything to go to the top," said Fish, a Manchester United youth graduate who arrived in south Wales last year.

"I think he just needs to get games under his belt and put himself out there, but at the minute he's been fantastic.

"I can't say a bad word about him and it's nice to play next to him."

Fish and Lawlor have featured in all seven of Cardiff's League One fixtures, dropping just four points to sit top of the table as they welcome second-placed Bradford City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The only goals conceded have come from the spot, with Stockport's opener last weekend the first shipped since the opening day win over Peterborough.

At 22-year-old admits he already feels like the experienced man at the back for the Bluebirds, who also have 18-year-old Ronan Kpakio featuring in defence.

But having also impressed himself, Fish is also looking to build on a promising start to the campaign, adding: "I've tried to buy into what this new manager wants with his way of playing and the aggression he wants on the pitch.

"And I'm quite happy with myself at the minute, but I don't want to get carried away. There's a lot of strong competition in this position now, so I'm just trying to do the best I can.

"I've still not played loads of games for Cardiff – and not as many as I wanted to when I first came - but I think I'm going in the right direction now."

Fish says with new signing Gabriel Osho and club captain Callum Chambers also vying for spots, competition for places will be key for Cardiff as they look to continue their eye-catching start.

But ahead of the top-of-the-table encounter against the Bantams on Saturday, Fish added: "We can't get carried away. Everyone knows the importance; we've got off to a great start, and so have they and the stadium will be rocking, but it's not going to define our season.

"We want to keep the momentum going with wins and clean sheets, but we can't get carried away."

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Cardiff City have the chance to make it their longest unbeaten start to a season in 25 years if they avoid defeat against Bradford City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Bluebirds are yet to taste defeat in 10 games in all competitions since Brian Barry-Murphy arrived as manager this summer.

But with an immediate return to the Championship a priority, it is the league that matters – with Cardiff topping League One after seven games without a loss.

That was tested at the weekend when they left it late to level at Stockport County, with Yousef Salech's equaliser in added time ensuring Cardiff made it seven undefeated in the league.

That equalled Cardiff's best unbeaten start since the 2008-09 campaign when the likes of Ross McCormack, Jay Bothroyd and Joe Ledley were in Dave Jones' ranks.

But if they can keep second-placed Bradford at bay at Cardiff City Stadium, it would be the longest unbeaten start since the days of Danny Gabbidon, Robert Earnshaw and Andy Legg in the old Third Division.

That team went nine league games before tasting defeat at the hands of Hull City – which including an unfortunate own goal from Gabbidon.

Bobby Gould was in charge at the time before being replaced by Alan Cork, with the side eventually going to win promotion out of the fourth tier as part of a climb to the Championship.

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Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson could make his first appearance of the season in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Bradford City.

But defenders Dylan Lawlor and Gabriel Osho face late fitness tests after being taken off with groin injuries in Tuesday's 1-0 EFL Trophy win over Exeter.

Robertson, who played under boss Brian Barry-Murphy in Manchester City's academy, has not played since sustaining a shin injury in Cardiff's pre-season game at Notts County.

A hamstring problem set back his return, but Barry-Murphy says the 22-year-old midfielder is finally available for selection.

"Alex is back. He has been training fully with us since we last spoke. So he will be considered for the squad along with all the other players, he has played fine," Barry-Murphy said.

Less certain is whether Wales international Lawlor and recent signing Osho will make the squad following their niggles at St James Park.

"There are quite a few question marks leading into Saturday," said Barry Murphy, who is still unbeaten as Cardiff boss, having so far taken 17 points from a possible 21 to put the Bluebirds top of League One.

"Dylan came off with some pain in his groin, which I think he had on international duty with Wales as well, so we just have to be careful with that one.

"Gabriel Osho was the same, some fatigue and stiffness in his groin. So he will be checked today."

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Former Cardiff City boss Steve Morison has left his position as Sutton United head coach after the National League club won only one of their first nine matches of the season.

Morison, 42, had been in charge at Sutton since January 2024.

The former Wales striker could not save the club from relegation from League Two in 2023-24, but led them to a 12th-place finish in the fifth tier last season.

Morison was in charge at Cardiff between 2021 and 2022, and was later linked with a return to the Bluebirds before a spell in charge of non-league Hornchurch.

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Cardiff City kicked off their EFL Trophy campaign with a 1-0 win at League One rivals Exeter City.

Callum Robinson broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, meeting Cian Ashford's cross to head home.

The Bluebirds ended the night with 10 men as it proved a bittersweet night for Ashford as the academy graduate was sent off for a second yellow card in the fifth minute of added time.

Cardiff and Exeter's Southern Group A rivals Newport County and Arsenal Under-21s kick off their campaigns at Rodney Parade on Tuesday, 23 September.

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Brian Barry-Murphy says he will make changes to his Cardiff City side for their opening EFL Trophy group stage fixture at Exeter City tonight (19:00 BST).

The Bluebirds remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and sit top of the League One table having collected 17 of the 21 points on offer so far under Barry-Murphy.

But they take a break from league action as they lock horns with an Exeter side who have won three and lost five of their first eight league matches in the third tier this season.

"It's a competition that we value and there are certain players who have played a lot of games for us in a short period of time," Barry-Murphy told BBC Sport Wales.

"I'm conscious that they can't play them all and we'll definitely make changes."

Wales internationals Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio were left out of the starting 11 for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stockport County but were introduced off the bench as Yousef Salech netted an equaliser in added time to preserve his side's unbeaten run.

And Barry-Murphy says he will continue to rotate his squad throughout the season if players impress on the training ground and in matches.

"We'll definitely make changes based on how well the players are training and playing," added the head coach.

"I don't think that should change, not for the sake of it. I don't want to be known as the Tinkerman or anything like that.

"We have a small squad and we believe that we have real competition in almost every area of the team.

"I think Ronan and Dylan have had a lot of games in a short period of time and will benefit from the rest [against Stockport]."

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After Cardiff City's last-gasp draw at Stockport County kept them top of the League One table, we asked you what's impressed you the most about the transformation under Brian Barry-Murphy so far this season.

Here is a selection of your thoughts.

Ollie: "We are playing football again! It's great to see the young lads stepping up and being competitive in a very physical league. BBM has been very smart in his signings over the summer and has got the city smiling again."

Jon: "Enjoying the football being played and delighted that we are blooding our talented youngsters! Long may it continue."

Danny: "Overall, BBM has given them an aggressive edge this season and the team look hungry. The midfield are operating as a unit and this is dictating the tempo of the games we've played so far. Relegation was heartbreaking but we should go back up with some momentum and belief."

Alun: "BBM and his management team deserve recognition for such a good start, but I think our success is due largely to the poor quality of League One finishing. Teams like Port Vale, Wimbledon, Luton and Stockport are able to create loads of goalscoring opportunities against us which would have, at Championship level, been punished and placed us at the wrong end of the table. The standard of play in League One so far has been shockingly bad as, indeed, has the standard of refereeing.

On the plus side, it's been fantastic to see our youngsters breaking through and making such an impact. I would also be interested to see how BBM reacts to our first loss - which is surely just around the corner? Guarded optimism tinged with a pinch of realism from me, but so far so good."

Michael: "Obviously he has found a way for commitment for the whole game. The team will fight to the end - long may it continue."

Andrew: "The way the young players have blended into the squad, the team spirit and the never say die attitude."

Harry: "The clarity the team seem to have is significant progress. I've not seen a Cardiff side have such a solid understanding of how they should play for a very long time."

Dan: "I love the fact he's giving the youngsters their chance to shine and they are! The likes of Lawlor and Colwill being one of the leaders is immense to see! Up the Bluebirds!"

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff City striker Yousef Salech says no-one can afford to relax if the Bluebirds are to continue their promising start to their League One promotion bid.

Salech, 23, scored deep in injury time at Stockport at the weekend to earn Brian Barry-Murphy's side a draw and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

It kept them top of the table on goal difference with a game in hand over second-placed Bradford City, who Cardiff welcome this weekend.

Although the point came after a disappointing team performance and ended a four-game winning streak in the league, Salech says the comeback underlined the mentality Cardiff will need if they are to return to the Championship at the first attempt.

"Everyone knows we're aiming for promotion and every game is going to play a big part in that," said Salech. "Even the 3-0 or 4-0 wins we have had never felt easy from the start, every game has felt as if there is so much at stake. We have to be prepared for that and make sure we can't relax.

"It's not enough to be a good team or perform well, we have to be mentally aware."

That includes accepting the former Premier League club will be seen as a scalp by many, with the Danish frontman adding: "These teams are looking forward to the game all season and want to beat us, especially at home.

"It's not going be easy, they will try everything to beat us and we should realise that. It's almost like a final to play against us right now."

Cup involvement is next up for Cardiff who travel to Exeter City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (19:00 BST), with three-goal Salech hoping the unbeaten run under new boss Barry-Murphy stretches even further.

"Everyone can feel that the club is on the rise and on the way to improving," Salech added. "We need to keep building and we can reach great things in the future, long term as well."

Image source, BBC Sport

Cardiff City maintained their unbeaten run with a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Stockport County following the international break.

It means the Bluebirds remain at the top of the League One table, but what has impressed you most about the club's transformation under Brian Barry-Murphy?

Have your say here!

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy reflects on his side's 1-1 draw with Stockport County in League One.

Match report: Salech steals a point for Cardiff away at Stockport

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Gabriel Osho and Omari Kellyman are in line to make their debuts when Cardiff City take on Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Saturday in League One (15:00 BST).

Defender Osho sealed a switch to the Cardiff City Stadium on a permanent deal from Auxerre late on in the summer transfer window - with versatile attacker Kellyman joining on loan from Chelsea on deadline day.

While Brian Barry-Murphy admits both players need time to reach peak fitness levels, having only been with the club for a short period of time, the head coach said both will be in contention to feature against Dave Challinor's side.

"They'll both be available, I think they've settled in well," said Barry-Murphy.

"Gabriel's been playing in France with Auxerre so he's had some game action, whereas Omari's had no game action.

"They're both getting used to our way of working and building up their volume of training.

"In Omari's case in particular, it's been a long time since he played competitively and he's had a pretty complex injury.

"So we have to be patient in terms of how hard we push and how early, because we want him to be really successful over the course of the season and not just in the immediate days based on what we need.

"I think they're both acquitting themselves really well but I think they need some time."

Cardiff remain top of League One having collected 16 of the 18 points on offer so far this season.

Stockport go into the weekend in ninth position having claimed three wins, two draws and two defeats from their seven league outings so far.

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Veteran striker Sam Vokes believes the international break may have come at a good time for Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds have made a spectacular start to the new season, banking 16 points from six League One games.

After relegation from the Championship last term, the mood has transformed at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to the form of new boss Brian Barry-Murphy's youthful team.

But despite Cardiff's early season success, Wales international Vokes says Barry-Murphy's youngsters could benefit from the breather as they prepare to return to action at Stockport County on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I think it was quite a nice break for them," Vokes, who joined Gillingham from Wycombe Wanderers in the summer, told this week's Feast of Football podcast.

"They had eight games in August. That is a lot of games to start the season with a young squad, with some of the players not used to the physicality of a 46-game League One season."

Cardiff are yet to lose a game this campaign, and are chasing a third successive away win this weekend after triumphs at AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town.

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has won the League One manager of the month award for August, while defender Dylan Lawlor has been named EFL young player of the month.

Barry-Murphy's side won five of their six league games in August and drew 0-0 at Port Vale.

The Bluebirds are the only unbeaten team in the division and they lead the table, level on 16 points with Doncaster Rovers but with a game in hand.

Cardiff have also kept four consecutive clean sheets and rounded off the month with a 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

Barry-Murphy was appointed in June following Cardiff's relegation from the Championship.

The 47-year-old Irishman left a coaching role at Leicester City to take charge at Cardiff, having previously worked at Rochdale and as a Manchester City academy coach.

Graham Alexander (Bradford City), Grant McCann (Doncaster Rovers) and Alex Revell (Stevenage) were also nominated for the award.

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Lawlor has started all six of his side's league matches this season having made his first ever appearance in senior football as recently as February.

Having impressed in Cardiff's unbeaten start to the season the 19-year-old from Caerphilly has since delivered a man-of-the-match performance on his international debut in Wales' 1-0 win over Kazakhstan last week.

And as CIty prepare to return to league action this weekend at Stockport County Lawlor has shown his confidence stating Cardiff's players want to "annihilate" League One this season.

Cardiff goalkeeeper Nathan Trott was nominated for the League One player of the month award which went to Doncaster midfielder Owen Bailey.

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Top scorer Rubin Colwill is an injury doubt for Cardiff City's League One match at Stockport County on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has scored four goals in all competitions for Cardiff and picked up a knee injury in the win over Plymouth Argyle before the international break.

It was an injury which ruled him out of a late call-up to Craig Bellamy's Wales squad for the games against Kazakhstan and Canada.

"Rubin had an issue with his knee after a pretty heavy challenge in the lead up to the first goal for Ryan Wintle in the box [against Plymouth]," said Bluebirds head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"His knee was pretty sore, so he's only just come back in to training. He did some parts on Tuesday.

"We're hopeful he can be available on Saturday. I think he's a doubt."

David Turnbull will be available for the game at Edgeley Park after recovering from a groin injury but fellow midfielder Alex Robertson is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a hamstring issue.

New signings Gabriel Osho and Omari Kellyman could make their debuts.