Cardiff City

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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It is still very early into the League One season, but things are looking up for Cardiff City.

Still unbeaten under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, and currently top of the League One table after five games.

Victory over Luton Town on Saturday was the Bluebirds' second 1-0 win away from home of the week - the other against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.

But with such a young squad, will Cardiff City's bright start be the beginning of promotion back to the Championship?

And if not, where do you think the Bluebirds will finish this season?

Have your say here!

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Brian Barry-Murphy feels Cardiff City's fixture at Luton Town on Saturday (12:30 BST) represents the perfect opportunity for his side to build on their impressive start to the season.

The Bluebirds are unbeaten under the Irishman having won at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday to make it 10 points from four games in League One this term.

But that record will be put to the test as Cardiff lock horns with a Luton side who were playing Premier League football as recently as May 2024.

"I think it's a great follow-up game for us on the back of Wimbledon," he said.

"A tough game in a tough environment against a team that's very hard to play against in their own stadium.

"I've played at Kenilworth Road myself so I understand the uniqueness of it in English football.

"To go to that stadium against the supporters and the team is going to be a great challenge for us and hopefully we can produce a performance like we did on Tuesday and give ourselves a chance to win the game."

The Hatters have also enjoyed a strong start to the 2025-26 league campaign having won three of their first four fixtures after being relegated alongside Cardiff last season.

But Barry-Murphy is confident Cardiff can continue their improvement this weekend.

"We'll need to improve again on Saturday to give ourselves a chance to win the against a team of Luton's calibre," added Barry-Murphy.

"We believe we are capable of doing that. We've done a lot of work on Luton, we're clear on their strengths and we respect them.

"For us, the focus is to give ourselves a chance to play as well as we can to try and win the game."

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Alex Robertson and Perry Ng are both in line to return to action for Cardiff City prior to the international break, according to head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

Right-back Ng is yet to feature for the Bluebirds this season due to a knee injury while midfielder Robertson has been sidelined with a shin problem.

But Barry-Murphy says both players will be involved in Tuesday night's EFL Cup second-round tie against Cheltenham Town (19:45 BST) if they do not make the squad for Saturday's Championship encounter with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road (12:30 BST).

"They're getting closer," he said.

"How much time they can play in those games will be assessed over the coming days but we expect them both to train fully [at the end of this week] and possibly be available for Saturday - but definitely available for Tuesday."

Centre-back Jesper Daland has not featured for the Bluebirds since the opening-day victory against Peterborough United.

Goalkeepers Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath have also fallen behind summer signing Nathan Trott in the pecking order, with Sheffield Wednesday looking to sign Horvath on loan.

"Jesper was in discussions with another club. I've no update because I don't know what the process has been on that, but the situation hasn't changed from my point of view," added Barry-Murphy.

"No update on Ethan or Jak. I can't say anything else on that because I don't know the conversations they may or may not have had with their representatives. But as of now they're our players."

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Joel Colwill says he and his brother Rubin have achieved a lifelong dream by playing together for Cardiff City.

The brothers have featured in every game in Cardiff's unbeaten start to the new season.

Rubin, 23, has been involved with the Bluebirds' first team since 2021.

At three years younger, Joel has had to bide him time, but he has grasped his opportunity with both hands this season.

"It's unbelievable. The first start I had with him (Rubin) was against Peterborough when he was captain. That's what we both dreamed of since we were five or six years old. It was a really proud moment for me and my family," said Joel Colwill.

"I remember in something like the 60th minute looking around the stadium, there were a good few people there, and thinking this crazy - both me and him playing in front of thousands of people. It was a surreal moment."

After making his senior debut for Cardiff in 2023, Colwill was sent out on loan last season.

He impressed during his time with Cheltenham Town in League Two, before spending the second part of the season with League One side Exeter City.

He believes that his time away from Cardiff playing regular first team football helped him develop and mature as a player.

"It was obviously very important for my career to go out and get those games. I think without those games it would be harder to play now," Colwill added.

"I learned a lot about what men's football is about. It helped me make smart decisions, and how to use my body better.

"The demands of the game is so much more when you're playing for a first team."

After breaking into the Cardiff team, Joel is now hoping to emulate Rubin once again by playing for Wales.

Rubin has nine caps for his country, and was part of the squads for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,

"He (Rubin) was always the first to do things. He went to Wales camps when he was 14. And I remember thinking that's what I want to do.

"The way his career has gone has pushed me to be the best I can be as well.

"It's always been a competitive rivalry between me and him, we both push each other as much as we can.

"Every footballer in Wales dreams of playing for Wales one day, and it's definitely something I'd love to do in the future.

"Playing and playing well gives you the best chance to get into the Wales team. I'm just trying to play as well as I can, play as much as I can and whatever happens, happens."

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says the club are in talks with Dylan Lawlor over a new contract.

The 19-year-old centre back has started every league game this season, but his current deal expires at the end of the season.

"I just make my feelings clear to the ownership about how important he is to the club, how we value him and where we see him for the future, and they take care of the rest," said Barry-Murphy.

"Our commitment to Dylan, in terms of how much time we've invested in him in training and how much opportunity we've given him to play is clear.

"Hopefully he feels the same way and he can come to an agreement that is satisfactory for him and the club get what we want as well."

Lawlor has captained Wales at age-grade level, and was called up to the senior squad by Craig Bellamy for the World Cup qualifier against Belgium in June.

Although he was not selected in the matchday squad for the game in Brussels, it is obvious that he's rated highly by both Bellamy and Barry-Murphy.

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Isaak Davies says Cardiff City's band of academy products are relishing the chance to shine in Brian Barry-Murphy's first team.

Cardiff continued their unbeaten start to 2025-26 on Tuesday as Davies' stoppage-time goal secured a thrilling victory at AFC Wimbledon.

Davies came off the bench to make the game's decisive contribution after Barry-Murphy picked another youthful squad featuring eight academy graduates.

Davies' strike means seven of the Bluebirds' eight goals so far this season have come from players who emerged from the club's youth ranks.

"You see every week now that the youngsters are performing," said Aberdare-born Davies, who joined Cardiff as a seven-year-old.

"It's good to see boys you have come through the academy with on the pitch.

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"The boys really deserved the win. To be fair to Wimbledon they made it tough for us, but the boys didn't stop right until the end and we got what we deserved."

The Wimbledon win was a first away success of the season for Cardiff, who have now taken 10 points from four league games under Barry-Murphy.

That impressive start has lifted spirits following relegation from the Championship last term, with Cardiff thriving despite signing only one player, goalkeeper Nathan Trott, so far this summer.

The next challenge is perhaps the sternest yet for Barry-Murphy's side, who travel to Luton Town – who were also relegated from the second tier last season – on Saturday.

"I think every game in League One is going to be tough," Davies added.

"We need to play our game, focus on ourselves and obviously watch a bit of the opposition as well. We need to carry on doing what we are doing."