Cardiff City

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy says Joel Colwill is "just as valuable" as older brother Rubin and he is "very grateful" to have them both in his squad.

Rubin was one of the Bluebirds' standout players at the beginning of the season with three goals and three assists in 17 appearances before sustaining an ankle injury in November.

In his absence, Joel has enjoyed a rich vein of form, notching up three goals and an assist in his last six matches.

"Rubin's done really well to get back fit, but Joel is making huge strides in his own right," said Barry-Murphy.

"He [Joel] has a hunger that you can almost touch and feel every day. He has an insatiable appetite to improve, he loves the game, he loves the team he's playing for.

"You can feel it in the way that he trains he's very competitive, very competitive against his brother, very competitive against his team-mates and very competitive against the opponents.

"He's a serious player and somebody that we're very grateful to have. I don't think there's any ceiling because he wants to improve so much and he has a lot of room for improvement in the things that he's improving on."

Joel had gone under the radar before this season, with Rubin touted a star of the future when he broke into the Bluebirds' senior side aged 18 before making his Wales debut the following year.

Joel believes they can bring out the best in one another.

"The way his career has gone has pushed me to be the best I can be," he said.

"It's always been a competitive rivalry; we both push each other as much as we can."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Iwan Roberts believes Cardiff City could be celebrating automatic promotion into the Championship by early April as their impressive run continued against Wimbledon.

Joel Colwill, Perry Ng, Ollie Tanner and Omari Kellyman all netted as the Bluebirds beat Johnnie Jackson's side 4-1 at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.

Victory extended Cardiff's unbeaten league run to 12 matches and leaves Brian Barry-Murphy's side - currently top of the League One table - 12 points clear of third-placed Bolton Wanderers.

"They've had two games at Cardiff City Stadium in the last four days, they won both and scored seven goals," former Wales striker Roberts told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast.

"They've won 11 of their last 12 games at Cardiff City Stadium.

"By the start of April or around Easter, Cardiff will be celebrating automatic promotion back into the Championship."

Cardiff have averaged 2.53 points per game at home in the league so far this season, the best return of any side in the division, having won 14 of their 17 League One fixtures in the Welsh capital.

Barry-Murphy's men are averaging 2.47 goals per game on home soil having scored 42 times at Cardiff City Stadium in League One this term.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy named a matchday squad without a substitute goalkeeper for the second time in four matches as the Bluebirds claimed a convincing 4-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

The bold selection choice echoes a tactic occasionally used by former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock during his time at Sheffield United, though during Warnock's tenure between 1999 and 2007 clubs were permitted only five substitutes rather than today's nine.

Barry-Murphy, however, insists his decision stems from the intense competition in his squad.

"The competition within the squad is so fierce," he said. "It just depends on the players who start the game. If I feel we're likely to need several changes, then sometimes it's important to have more outfield options."

January signing Harry Tyrer, who arrived from Everton on a permanent deal, has yet to make his Cardiff debut.

Despite being eligible for six matches, he has only featured on the bench four times.

Tyrer's first omission came in Cardiff's 3–0 win at Rotherham on 7 February, when Barry-Murphy also chose to go without a back-up goalkeeper.

In the event of an emergency, Perry Ng appears the most likely makeshift option between the posts, having played there during Cardiff's game against Rotherham in 2023 when goalkeeper Ryan Allsop was dismissed.

In his five minutes as Cardiff stopper, Ng did claim a clean sheet, but Barry-Murphy hopes not to "cross that bridge" anytime soon.

The head coach emphasised his preference is always to include a keeper, but squad management sometimes requires flexibility.

"Ideally, we would have a goalkeeper on the bench. We've previously had Harry available. But depending on the specific game, if we think we have players who probably won't go the distance, and enough of them, then we go with seven outfield players.

"It's not something I want to do regularly, but we have a very competitive squad. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."

He added: "The players on the pitch feel the pressure of who's on the bench. Cian Ashford has been flying and pushing hard to play. Ronan Kpakio is the same.

"Rubin (Colwill) is back fit now. All of them know they have to produce because the competition is so fierce, that's a huge driving factor in itself."

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City winger Ollie Tanner says his excellent recent performances are his way of repaying head coach Brian Barry-Murphy for supporting him during his time out injured.

Tanner, 23, missed more than four months of action following an ankle injury he sustained in August.

He has been in a rich vein of form since returning, with eight assists in his past seven games, double the total of assists he had managed during the previous three seasons.

Tanner also scored his first goal of this campaign during Tuesday's 4-1 win over AFC Wimbledon, which maintained Cardiff's four-point lead at the top of League One.

"I've not had that sort of period out before, so I was itching to get back," said Tanner.

"Brian was so good when I was out, so it's just nice to repay him and everything he's done for me and the staff over those four months."

Asked what he believed was behind his upturn in form, Tanner added: "Just working hard on the training pitch, watching clips about where I can be, where I can put the ball for crosses and ultimately just getting in the box and getting in better positions.

"The staff helping me, I can't thank them enough for what they've done and it's nice to repay them with numbers.

"I don't want to settle for what I've got. I want more assists, more goals to help the team and to extend our lead at the top."

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says top scorer Yousef Salech is "not close" to a return from injury.

Salech damaged ligaments in his neck during Cardiff's 1-1 draw with Stockport on 24 January.

The 24-year-old had a hospital scan to determine the severity of his neck injury, and while it was determined to be not serious it has kept him out of training since.

Asked after Cardiff's 3-1 win over Luton whether a return was near, Barry-Murphy said: "He's not close.

"Yousef was here today, but he hasn't rejoined the team for training yet, until he does that we won't really have a time scale.

"With an injury of that nature you have to be really patient to make sure his neck and surrounding areas are ready.

"At the moment he's not ready."

Salech's absence has not slowed the Bluebirds down, with Saturday's win over Luton moving them four points clear at the top of League One.

Cardiff have also not seen a drop in the number of goals scored, with the Bluebirds scoring two or more goals in each of their four games since.

Barry-Murphy's side are back in action on Tuesday evening against AFC Wimbledon (19:45 GMT), as they look to continue their unbeaten run of 11 League One games and 11 home games.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Perry Ng's ability to score spectacular goals had only been experienced through stories for Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

That was until Saturday afternoon's win over Luton Town, when the Cardiff right-back unleashed a 25-yard strike into the roof of the net.

The goal, Cardiff's third of the game, was not the first strike of quality that Ng has scored for the Bluebirds, but it was the first under Barry-Murphy.

"Perry is capable of producing a finish like he did today - so I'm told from previous seasons - so I'm glad to see it in the flesh," said Barry-Murphy.

"I thought there was a pass on to Ollie Tanner, luckily he listened to the supporters and shot!"

A knee injury during pre-season meant Ng, who joined Cardiff in January 2021, had to start the season behind Ronan Kpakio in the pecking order.

But the 29-year-old has wrestled back control of the right-back position, with Barry-Murphy admitting Ng's form has resulted in less game time for Kpakio than he would have liked.

"Ronan Kpakio had been doing exceptionally well in Ng's absence," said Barry-Murphy.

"It is a concern of mine that I haven't been able to play Ronan as much as I would have liked to because of the form of Perry, but that's the stage of the season we're in."

Victory over Luton took the Bluebirds four points clear at the top of League One, as their bid for an automatic return to the Championship took another step in the right direction.

David Turnbull and Joel Colwill opened the scoring before Ng's pick of the bunch.

And Colwill - who has come through the academy at the club - says he was "not surprised" to see Ng's effort hit the back of the net.

"I was stood just behind it and as soon as he hit it I thought it had a chance," said Colwill.

"We've all seen Perry strike a good ball, he's scored some really good goals over the years.

"Everyone who has been at the club a while knows he can do that, and I'm not surprised by it really."

Philip Marsh
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says he is "over the moon" with his side's performance in their 3-1 win over Luton Town.

First-half goals from David Turnbull, Joel Colwill and Perry Ng set the tone for what was an excellent afternoon for the Bluebirds.

Cardiff's win, coupled with Lincoln City's 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers, means Barry-Murphy's side are now four points clear at the top of League One, and 10 points above third place.

"I'm over the moon with the performance," said Barry-Murphy.

"We started the game with great intensity, created good chances and scored enough of them to win the game.

"Against a team of this calibre we knew we had to be at our best and really pleasingly we were."

Cardiff limited Luton to just one shot on target, which came from the penalty spot after 20 minutes to level the game.

Otherwise it was an assured performance from the league leaders, who carved out 18 chances of their own and on another day could have added to their tally.

But for all their attacking prowess, it was the way Cardiff limited Luton that impressed Barry-Murphy.

"All the lads at the back were really concentrated against a team who are dangerous," he said.

"They can create and score goals, so I'm really pleased with how little we conceded against them.

"We gave them nothing in terms of momentum or attempts on goal. That was as pleasing as anything about the performance today."

Ioan Griffiths

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

High-flying Cardiff City welcome Luton Town to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT), with boss Brian Barry-Murphy wary of the challenge.

The Bluebirds sit two points clear at top of the league after beating a poor Rotherham side 3-0 despite being reduced to 10 men after 21 minutes.

Barry-Murphy has praised Luton's quality, and expects a tough test.

"Their quality is obvious. They have been a Premier League team very recently, and you can see that. In every single position they have players who are exceptionally good," said Barry-Murphy.

"Our focus is still all on ourselves. We look forward to all these games and the training this week has been brilliant.

"So a test like that focuses us perfectly, and it's what we want and we're all very excited about it."

Luton are 20 points adrift of Cardiff, but sit four points off the play-off positions having won their last two league games, and they will be looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat by the Bluebirds last August, which was settled by a Chris Willock winner.

Barry-Murphy said: "I think the gaps are irrelevant. They're a very good team. Their players, the quality they have individually is exceptionally high.

"We're all in the moment and being present and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Saturday was a perfect example of that.

"I think we have to focus on Saturday's game, try and play a great game like we did last week. And if we play as well as we did last week and improve again this week, then we're in a great place."

Cardiff City defender Callum Chambers is another who is relishing facing the Hatters.

The Bluebirds captain and Jack Wilshere were former team-mates at Arsenal, and Chambers will be hoping to come out on top on Saturday.

"I'm sure we'll catch up with each other after the game," said Chambers.

"I've not seen him for a long time. But we know each other from when we were both at Arsenal. He's a great guy and I'm looking forward to the game."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

After back-to-back away trips to Burton and Rotherham, League One title hopefuls Cardiff return to Cardiff City Stadium this weekend.

And when it comes to playing in south Wales, head coach Brian Barry-Murphy and his captain Calum Chambers are clearly of the same opinion.

"We love playing at home. Our home record's been phenomenal this season, and the pitch is in fantastic condition," said Barry-Murphy.

"We look forward to it immensely and try to give the supporters what they crave on Saturday."

Cardiff were ruthless in their last home outing, a 4–0 demolition of Barnsley, and when they welcome play-off chasing Luton on Saturday, 14 February (1500 GMT), Barry-Murphy will hope for another dominant display.

The Bluebirds have lost only twice at home this season, a record defender Chambers believes is powered by the supporters.

"They're amazing. They really help us in games," said the former Arsenal and Aston Villa man.

"You really do feel the energy they give us, especially at key moments when we need a goal. We love playing at home."

The League One leaders will need that energy against a Luton side riding high after a 2-1 victory over Bradford which bolstered their own hopes of achieving promotion.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are pushing to maintain momentum in their push for an immediate return to the Championship.

Chambers, who joined the Welsh side last season, described Cardiff's Championship campaign as "tough," but says relegation has brought players and fans together again.

"The atmosphere is class, really good here. Compared to last year, this season has been bouncing."

Barry-Murphy, who only arrived in June, has also felt that strong connection since his arrival.

"The support from the supporters to our players has always been there," he said.

"Our intention is to give them more of the best of ourselves so they don't have to go through the worst of it."

For the visit of The Hatters, Wales international Dylan Lawlor returns to the squad.

The 20-year-old has been part of the back line responsible for nine of Cardiff's 12 clean sheets this season - the best defensive record in the division.

But Barry-Murphy will be without forward Isaak Davies who suffered a concussion following an unnoticed blow to the head in the 86th minute against Rotherham.

Cardiff also remain without top scorer Yousef Salech and influential midfielder Rubin Colwill, both key to the club's early-season success.

Colwill is now back in training and Salech is making "good progress" after seeing a specialist, but the manager urged patience.

"Rubin's back in full training but he's been out for a long time, so it's about balancing when he's actually available to get back on the bench," said Barry-Murphy.

"Yousef's continuing his rehabilitation, so he won't be available."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Calum Chambers has embraced his role as captain of table-toppers Cardiff City, playing a central role in their push for an immediate return to the Championship.

The Bluebirds sit top of League One, eight points clear of third placed Bolton Wanderers, and the 31-year-old central defender is savouring every moment.

"It's a feeling you don't want to wish away," Chambers said.

"You want to keep it and bottle up this feeling because it's really good."

The former Arsenal, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender joined Cardiff City as a free agent in July 2024.

He featured 41 times in his first campaign, at the end of which Cardiff were relegated from the Championship.

Chambers said: "It was a very different feeling last season. Obviously, last year was my first year and it was tough. It was really tough."

Following Cardiff's relegation, former Manchester City academy coach Brian Barry-Murphy took over and under him Cardiff have lost just five league games this campaign while playing a style of football which has excited supporters and generated success.

"This season's got a completely different feel to it and a lot of credit goes down to Brian for changing the mentality," said Chambers.

"To change a team that's gone down to a team that wants to win every single game and trains the way we train isn't easy. He's done it since day one and everyone's taken to it really well.

"The football we're playing, the enthusiasm, the energy on the training ground, the fans - it's been such an enjoyable season. I think everyone would say the same."

Another particularly "enjoyable" aspect for Chambers has been the competition for places, which he says, he is "relishing".

"I've always enjoyed competition. It brings the best out in everyone," he said, adding: "It keeps you at your best because you know you've got to perform to play again."

One of those centre-backs is 20-year-old Wales international Dylan Lawlor, who the three-capped English international believes has enormous potential.

"He's really young, but he doesn't look it on the pitch. He's been brilliant," said Chambers.

"The main thing is his character. He's willing to learn, willing to improve, works hard every day. That's what gets you where you want to be."

Having been appointed club captain for the beginning of Cardiff's League One campaign, Chambers sees mentoring the younger players as a rewarding part of his role.

"I have lots of conversations with the young boys. I remember when I was that age coming through and how exciting and how sort of new everything felt," he said.

"It brings back all the feelings I had when I first broke through. I'm enjoying that with them, but also bringing my experience along as well."

Chambers said that despite relegation to League One, he "never really even thought about leaving Cardiff" and life under Barry-Murphy couldn't be better.

"He's brilliant. His class, as a manager, as a person, everything. I think he's been amazing for the club. It's really enjoyable football to play. The way he wants us to play really suits me at centre back. I'm loving it," said Chambers.

"I wanted to settle somewhere and feel part of something. What happened last season wasn't great, but that's the reason why I wanted to join a club like this is to sort of feel all of those things. And I'm really enjoying it."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy believes the Bluebirds' commanding 3-0 victory against Rotherham last weekend was a performance that "sends a big statement" to his squad as the Welsh club continue to lay down a marker of their title credentials.

After a below par display against Burton in the previous game, Barry-Murphy was delighted with how his side responded against a rejuvenated Rotherham.

"I'm very pleased with the personality the players showed, the overall performance, and the goals in particular," Barry-Murphy said.

Cardiff controlled the match from the outset against a Rotherham team unbeaten in their previous three.

Even when Ryan Wintle was dismissed just after the half hour mark, Barry-Murphy never felt the momentum shifted.

"I didn't have any doubts," he said.

"We reminded the players how dominant they'd been and told them not to step back. They continued to attack and scored some brilliant goals for our supporters who travelled in extraordinary numbers."

One of the goal scorers was substitute Isaak Davies, a moment Barry-Murphy described as "very special for all of us".

Like many players, Barry-Murphy acknowledge Davies "had to wait for his chance" but his readiness to make an impact is something which the Irish head coach feels epitomises his entire squad as they are always "keen to improve".

"The players are driving that [high standards]," said Barry-Murphy.

"I'm really pleased with the impact from the bench of the players who came on and really helped the team. Even the ones who didn't get on, it was a real collective effort today. It was a really special day for us."

Barry-Murphy also highlighted Joel Colwill, who has started four of Cardiff's last five league games.

"The next opportunity is always around the corner if you keep doing what you're doing," said Barry-Murphy.

"Joel Colwill wasn't playing for a couple of weeks previously and couldn't see himself getting back in. Now he plays an integral part in such a great performance."

Barry-Murphy also praised the "incredible" Cardiff supporters who had made the journey to Yorkshire.

"They were really special from the start of the game, but there seemed to be an extra energy from them when Ryan got sent off.

"The energy every time we attacked from the stand was incredible and drove us forward.

"We wanted to give them a very special day. The supporters should feel every bit of enjoyment and dream of whatever they want."

With Cardiff now 10 games unbeaten and pushing for an immediate Championship return, Barry-Murphy insists the focus remains "game to game".

The Bluebirds now shift attention to Luton's visit to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 14 February (15:00 GMT) in what Barry-Murphy said promises to be "a brilliant game" that offers the Bluebirds another chance to soar at the top of League One.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ollie Tanner says striking fear into the hearts of opponents is key to Cardiff City's promotion bid after the Bluebirds claimed a "statement" win at Rotherham.

The League One leaders cruised to a 3-0 victory on Saturday despite captain Ryan Wintle being shown a red card on 21 minutes.

The win left Cardiff two points above second-placed Lincoln and eight ahead of Bolton Wanderers in third.

"It was a significant win - especially after going down to 10 so early," said Tanner.

"Whether we have 10 or nine [men on the pitch], we've got a way of playing and we stick to that.

"To win 3-0 with 10 men sends out a statement. We do it our way, and we want teams to fear us.

"We don't want them to look forward to playing us. We want to impose our game on them and never worry about them.

"If we keep doing that I'm pretty sure we'll be at the top come May, if not then very near."

Wintle's Rotherham dismissal did not knock Cardiff off their stride. In fact it was quite the opposite, really, as Omari Kellyman opened the scoring from Tanner's cross from the edge of the box.

City doubled their lead through Chris Willock - with another assist from Tanner - before Isaak Davies added a third in second-half stoppage time.

"Everything that gets chucked at us, we keep our feet on the ground and deal with the situation at hand," said Tanner.

"After the red card, it became more of a dribbling game - you saw that with me and Chrissy [Willock]."

Having returned from a four-month injury lay-off in December, 23-year-old Tanner has started the past six games for Cardiff, and his productivity on the wing has been valuable with the Bluebirds currently enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run.

"I'm feeling good and feeling fit," he said.

"I'm thankful to the manager and the staff for the condition they've got me back into and the opportunities they've given me."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

League One leaders Cardiff City look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches when they travel to Rotherham United on Saturday (15:01 GMT).

A rejuvenated Rotherham have taken seven points from their last three games and have the chance to climb out of the relegation zone this weekend.

Cardiff, meanwhile, aim to respond after last weekend's draw at Burton Albion, where boss Brian Barry-Murphy called their performance "not good enough".

They travel to Yorkshire with Chris Willock believing Cardiff are now seen as a big game for anyone in the third tier.

"I think every team we play [it] is kind of their cup final," the in-form winger said.

" But we've got a squad to deal with it. We're focused on each game. We're back at it, ready to go and everyone's hungry."

The Burton draw meant second-placed Lincoln cut the gap to Cardiff to two points.

And though the Bluebirds have lost only five league matches all season, Barry-Murphy says Rotherham pose a threat.

The Millers beat Northampton in their previous home game before romping to a 4-0 triumph at mid-table Exeter City last weekend.

"Exeter was a huge result for them," Barry-Murphy said.

"They've usually played a back five with wing-backs, but recently changed to a back four. We're unsure what they'll do on Saturday, but we're well prepared for all eventualities."

Barry-Murphy believes Cardiff are improving as the season goes on - but says there is scope for more progress.

"It's easy to forget how young most of our squad is and they have so much room for improvement technically, tactically and physically," he added.

"We want to show we've learned from earlier in the season."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City's League One meeting with fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln City has been selected for live television coverage.

The Bluebirds, who are top of the table, host Lincoln, who are currently second, on Saturday, 7 March.

The game has been brought forward to a 12:30 GMT kick-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says new signing Calum Scanlon has surprised him with how ready he is to get straight into action, despite not playing a first-team game for more than a year.

The League One leaders signed the 20-year-old Liverpool left-back on loan for the rest of the season last Sunday.

A serious hamstring injury means Scanlon has not played a senior match since January 2025, when he was on loan at Millwall in the Championship.

However, having been training with his new club this week, Scanlon is ready to make an instant impact.

"A brilliant addition," said Barry-Murphy. "He's already shown this week how ready he is.

"It took me by surprise a little bit, I suppose, because he hasn't had a lot of action. But he's an elite player with elite mentality.

"He wants to improve and we feel as if we can help him enormously to improve."

Scanlon could make his Cardiff debut in Saturday's League One trip to Rotherham United.

"I think he's a good player," said Bluebirds winger Chris Willock.

"We've trained with him a couple of times. He looks very fast, so I'm looking forward to playing with him."

Cardiff will be without centre-back Dylan Lawlor for the Rotherham game because of a minor knee injury.

Although striker Yousef Salech and attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill are still not ready to play, both are progressing well with their recoveries from neck and ankle injuries respectively.

"Yousef is improving day by day. No timescale on him due to the nature of his injury," said Barry-Murphy.

"Dylan Lawlor is expected to be back next week, so not available for Saturday.

"Rubin is back in training, but not available for Saturday. Early stages for him.

"I think he'll want to play straight away. He's flying. He just has to go through enough of the training so we know that when he comes back into the game, he's almost protected from himself as much as anything.

"But he's been back training this week and looked really good without much contact."