Cardiff City

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says speculation over the Cardiff City future of striker Callum Robinson is "irrelevant".

The 31-year-old has been left out of the Bluebirds squad for the past two games, initially being overlooked for the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on 17 October for a breach of internal squad standards.

Despite returning to training he was also absent for the 1-0 win against Birmingham a week later leading to fans questioning whether he has a long-term role at the club.

"All the stuff about speculation, about what's going on in the future is irrelevant to me," said Barry-Murphy.

"It's game by game for us always."

Robinson, who is contracted to the club until the summer of 2027, has made just nine league starts since the Irishman took charge at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Prior to Barry-Murphy's arrival he was the club's top scorer and player of the season for 2024-25.

But when pressed on Robinson's future prior to Saturday's Championship game at Wolves, Barry-Murphy would not give much away.

"All the players want to play," he added.

"I would like to play them as much as I could but I can only play certain players and try and pick the best team for every game based on what I see."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City winger Ollie Tanner says people writing them off gives him "fire" to prove them wrong.

The Bluebirds have lost just once in their last five games ahead of Saturday's trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And despite being amongst the pre-season favourites for relegation with some bookmakers, Cardiff find themselves above Wrexham in the Championship table in 16th place after 12 games.

And Tanner, who has scored two goals in his last three games, has revealed the team have used that as motivation.

"A lot of people doubted us before this season and wrote us off," the 24-year-old said.

"So every game is just another opportunity to show what we can do to the league, to ourselves, to the fans, to everyone.

"So, yeah, we see it as another opportunity to prove ourselves.

"I love it personally [when people write you off], it gives me more fire to go and prove people wrong.

"That's what I've done all my life, so I think a lot of the boys are like that.

"When they see people writing you off, it gives you that little bit of extra motivation to go and prove people wrong."

Despite starting every Championship game so far this season, Tanner has faced personal criticism from some fans over his performances.

But he says it is not something that affects him.

"It's football," he added. "People have their opinions and people can say what they want, they're entitled to, it doesn't bother me.

"It's the same way that when I'm getting goals and assists and playing well, people are going to big you up.

"When you're not playing so well people are going to dig you out.

"It's football, you've got to take it. Don't ever get too high when you're doing well and don't ever let yourself get too low when it's not going so well.

"You've just got to roll with it."

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be trying to take a place in the automatic promotion spots as they host Cardiff City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Fourth placed Wolves are just two points shy of second placed Swansea City as it stands.

Cardiff, meanwhile, sit firmly in the midtable in 16th and will be hoping to continue their three-match undefeated run (W2 D1) to ascend closer to the promotion chasers.

• Wolves have alternated between winning and losing across their last six home league games against Cardiff City (W3 L3), winning their last 2-0 in March 2019.

• None of the last 12 league meetings between Wolves and Cardiff have been drawn, with the Bluebirds winning seven times to Wolves' five in that time.

• Wolves have won three of their last five home league games (D1 L1), as many as in their previous 22 at Molineux (D7 L12).

• Cardiff are one of three teams – along with Preston and Watford – yet to win an away match in the Championship this season (D2 L4).

• Cardiff's Ollie Tanner has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Championship this season (25), while only Finn Azaz (5) has more open play assists than his four.

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Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill will return for Cardiff City's Championship trip to Wolves on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has not played since the 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth on 5 September because of an ankle injury, missing the past seven matches.

"Rubin's been flying so he's good to go," said head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"A player of his calibre for us is huge. He's a very important player for us and just gives us so much flexibility in how we can approach games.

"To have him back fully fit is very important for us. We haven't rushed him so he's in a really good place and hopefully he'll remain that way for the rest of the season."

Last season Colwill scored nine goals as vice-captain to help the Bluebirds win promotion from League One.

The Cardiff academy graduate then scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Wrexham on the opening weekend of this league campaign.

But Barry-Murphy has urged supporters to be patient.

"He had a very serious ankle surgery last season which he made a remarkably quick recovery from," he added.

"This season has been less straightforward for him, but now he's showing signs that he's in a really good place physically.

"If we're patient with him and build him up in the way that we will then I'm sure he'll be a huge player for us moving forward."

Defender Krystian Bielik could also return at Molineux after suffering an injury in the warm-up prior to last weekend's win against Birmingham.

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Cardiff City have got their Championship season up and running courtesy of three straight home victories.

The next challenge for Brian Barry-Murphy's team is to deliver a first away triumph of the new campaign, and the next opportunity comes at Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday.

Cardiff are up to 16th in the second tier after last weekend's win over Birmingham City, which made it 12 points banked from six home league fixtures this season.

But the Bluebirds have had far less joy on the road, where there have been two draws and four defeats so far.

Cardiff's tally of two away points is the third lowest in the division – only bottom club Preston North End and 21st-placed Watford, with one apiece, have banked fewer up until now.

Barry-Murphy's men did manage an encouraging draw at leaders Middlesbrough on their most recent away day, and now comes another meeting with one of the pre-season promotion favourites.

Having been relegated from the Premier League last season, Wolves currently lie fourth having taken seven points from their past three games.

But Cesar Peixoto's team have not had it all their own way on home soil this season, where they battled to a 1-0 win over Watford last weekend.

The previous home game ended in a draw with Portsmouth, while Bolton ran out 3-1 winners at Molineux just over a fortnight ago.

Even if their opponents are well placed for a promotion push, therefore, Cardiff may travel with some belief.

We asked Cardiff City fans for their views on Saturday's 1-0 win over Birmingham City, which extended the Bluebirds' home unbeaten run in the Championship.

Brian Barry-Murphy's charges are yet to taste league defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium and have now won their last three on home soil.

Here is what some fans had to say:

Simon: Best performance I've seen this season. We were terrier-like all over the pitch and didn't allow Birmingham any time on the ball. Player mindset is key, so a combination of the team's visit to Aberfan, the very late inclusion of Salech and the atrocious weather likely all played a part.

Ken: Well done, Cardiff. You're in the groove now playing with skill. Keep this trend going and I can see an endeavour to go up the table.

Steve: Excellent, looked a class above today. All the players put the required effort in. Coming good together in the Championship.

Clark: Dominant throughout. Cardiff should have had another two goals. Birmingham offered nothing until the Damari Grey's opportunity. This performance does make you think about how they have accumulated 20 points.

Michael: Cardiff still need to take the chances they create. On another day we would have dropped two points. Still a fantastic result!

Alan: Good win, well deserved. Salech looked a bit rusty. Cian Ashford and Perry Ng had good games and nice to see a clean sheet.

Gerald: The passing and energy of all the players was exceptional. And off the ball excellent. We are developing into a formidable unit. Well done.

Jon: Excellent performance made Birmingham look ordinary. Onward and upwards. Still need to score more goals, especially with the numerous chances they create.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Brian Barry-Murphy hinted at returns for Callum Robinson and Rubin Colwill following his side's victory over Birmingham City.

Callum Robinson was again left out of the squad, the Bluebirds boss having revealed he was dropped for the game at Middlesbrough last weekend for failing to meet "squad standards".

He was again missing as Cardiff beat Blues 1-0, with Barry-Murphy saying his omission was for the same reason.

But he insisted the Republic of Ireland striker would now return to training ahead of Saturday's trip to Wolves.

Robinson could be joined in training by Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill, who is set to return to the grass after his month-long lay-off.

Asked about Robinson, Barry-Murphy said there wasn't any change to the situation and his absence was for the "already discussed" reason, adding: "He's back with us, he's training, all's good."

Barry-Murphy himself was ther subject of discplinary measures having served a one-game touchline ban, watching the win from the stands.

His yellow card at Middlesbrough last weekend meant an automatic suspension for the collection of three cautions this season.

Assistant Lee Riley lead things from the dug-out, Barry-Murphy joking: "I think Lee Riley did a great job. He's always been better than me, so I think the players were in good hands."

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Cardiff City striker Yousef Salech was only meant to make a cameo appearance against Birmingham City, before his game-winning turn.

Salech had not featured for the Bluebirds since injuring his shoulder in the win over Charlton Athletic five weeks ago.

He had been named on the bench to face Chris Davies' side, before a groin injury suffered by Krsytian Bielik in the warm-up prompted a late change.

Salech went on to play 90 minutes, scoring the game's only goal as well as missing a penalty.

But Brian Barry-Murphy said he was always confident in the forward, admitting he based the decision on caution against Birmingham's set-piece strength.

"It wasn't a situation that we envisaged happening," said the Cardiff City head coach.

"We threw him in but he is very strong-minded. Once I asked him the question if he was good to go, there was no hesitation.

"He was tired afterwards - he looked punch-drunk - but I think the victory will make him sleep easier tonight."

Salech responded with his third Championship goal of the campaign, with Barry-Murphy having to shuffle his selection following defender Bielik's injury,

"Krystian felt his groin at the end of the warm-up and we weren't sure he could play," he explained.

"We're already without so many centre-backs, we couldn't take another chance with Krystian.

"We didn't expect Yousef to be playing any longer than 45 minutes under any circumstances, really.

"But Birmingham are a very dangerous team with a really big set-play presence and it was important to have Yousef on the pitch for that.

"We could have played Chris Willock, but I felt as if it was important that we had a chance to defend the set-plays that we would face."

We asked for your views after Cardiff City drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

The Bluebirds led 2-0 thanks to goals from Jack Moylan and Ollie Tanner, although Boro claimed a point through second half efforts from Tommy Conway and Will Lankshear.

Cardiff City fans

Boz - Played very well and deserved the point, was at the game, Boro fan. If you play like that all season you could reach the play-offs. Well done away fans, safe trip home.

Phil: Inspired (not) half time change by the head coach. Gave momentum straight back to Boro after leading 2-0 at the break.

Reg: Well done Cardiff City.

Tom: A really gutsy performance where we had to dig in for long spells. Referee did us no favours either. That's just one defeat in four and seven points. Hopefully momentum and confidence continue to build. Will be interesting to see what we can achieve once Rubin [Colwill] and Yousef [Salech] are back.

On Gabriel Osho's red card...

Sion: He didn't deserve a straight red, end of. Boro were lucky not to be a man down and a penalty award against in the first half! Very inconsistent card use.

Tim: Looked harsh to me. Yellow normally for those. But not sure if it gets overturned in appeal.

Sloper Road Blues: Wasn't a red card IMO, but there was also no need to give the referee a decision to make... it was rash.

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Alex Robertson said it was a proud moment to captain Cardiff City for the first time in their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

The 23-year-old wore the armband in the absence of Calum Chambers, Rubin Colwill and Perry Ng at the Riverside Stadium.

"It's a proud moment, I think that's my first professional game as a captain," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"It's a really proud moment for me. The boys really helped me.

"I've got good leaders behind me in Osh (Gabriel Osho) and Krystian [Bielik] which made it pretty easy.

"The main thing was that we got a result."

The Bluebirds made a dream start against Kim Hellberg's side as goals from Jack Moylan and Ollie Tanner put them 2-0 up in the first half.

But Boro responded with quickfire efforts from Tommy Conway and Will Lankshear in the second half to earn a point against Brian Barry-Murphy's side - who had Osho sent off late on.

"Obviously it was very good to go 2-0 up in the first half, but second half it was disappointing to concede the two goals," Robertson said.

"I think the boys showed great fight to protect our goal and try and get a result out of the game, and that's what we've done. I'm proud of the boys for that."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City defender Gabriel Osho did not deserve his red card at Middlesbrough, according to Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy.

But Cardiff's head coach hinted he would not appeal the decision that saw the visitors finish their 2-2 draw at the Riverside with ten men.

Osho was given his marching orders for an 83rd minute challenge on Boro goalscorer Will Lankshear after the pair had a running battle during the latter stages of the fixture that saw Cardiff take a two-goal first-half lead before the hosts' comeback.

Barry-Murphy claimed he had not reviewed the footage, but said: "Osho was in the position that we wanted him to be, he had to be aggressive and go for the ball.

"I didn't think it was a red card but the referee made his decision and I have to move on quickly and try and find a solution to help the players."

Cardiff host Birmingham City next Saturday, Chris Davies' Blues having dropped just two points in their last five games with Saturday's 3-0 win over QPR followed a 4-0 win over Preston.

Osho faces an automatic ban, with Dylan Lawlor and Callum Chambers already out injured and Will Fish only making substitute appearances after his return from injury.

Asked if Cardiff will appeal Osho's red, Barry-Murphy said: "I'm not sure. History suggests that our appeals haven't been very successful in my time here. We'll see what happens after we review the footage."