Cardiff City

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Former Wales frontman Sam Vokes says he is not surprised Cardiff City and Wales defender Dylan Lawlor has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool are among the top-flight teams who reportedly have an interest in the three-cap Wales international.

"You see that interest coming in, it doesn't surprise me," Vokes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"It wouldn't surprise me if it's just off the back of his international performances because he's been different class and stepped up."

He added: "You see these deals sometimes, a bigger club just want to purchase the player and they might loan him back to Cardiff for six months, that kind of situation.

"You don't know the ins and outs, but I'm really not surprised that the interest is there because he's one that's definitely impressed under BBM (Brian Barry-Murphy) and under Craig Bellamy for Wales this year."

Lawlor has been a pivotal figure under Brian Barry-Murphy at Cardiff this season, featuring 17 times for the Bluebirds across all competitions.

He remains contracted to Cardiff until the summer of 2028 having signed an extension in August.

But ex-Wales forward Iwan Roberts feels the Bluebirds would struggle to turn down a big-money offer for the centre-back.

"I'm not surprised that he's been linked with so many Premier League clubs because I think he's destined to play there," said Roberts.

"If they get a big offer, I don't think they can turn it down. If they got a £10m offer, I don't think Cardiff could turn that down."

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Cardiff City centre-back Gabriel Osho is facing "a few weeks" out after dislocating his toe.

The 27-year-old sustained the injury during Tuesday's 5-1 EFL Trophy defeat at home by AFC Wimbledon.

Osho has struggled since joining Cardiff from Auxerre in the summer for a substantial fee thought to be at least £1m.

Injuries have limited his game-time and, on the occasions he has played, the former Luton Town defender has been uncharacteristically error-prone.

"When he first came in, we were all really keen for him to come in and enhance our squad. His qualities are clear," said Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"I think from his own point of view, he wants to show everybody what he can do and his team-mates and our supporters. The longer he's been here, it's become more obvious to his team-mates how valuable he's going to be for us in the long run.

"He just wants to show that to the support as well. But it's not going to be possible for a few weeks, based on what happened on Tuesday."

Asked about Osho's struggles, Barry-Murphy added: "I think initially I probably rushed him into the games sooner than I should have.

"He's been finding his rhythm, he's been exceptional in training for us in the past few weeks. And I think you saw on Tuesday night the defensive qualities that he brings to the team that are so important for us moving forward.

"It's just his [earlier] performances were also marked by some mistakes that cost goals. So naturally that takes the area of focus, which is how it is when you're playing that role."

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At 21, Cardiff City's Joel Colwill is a little young to be considered a senior figure.

But the midfielder was asked to lead the way as a youthful Cardiff side took on AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

And despite the Bluebirds' heavy defeat, Brian Barry-Murphy reckons one-cap Wales international Colwill emerged from the tie with credit.

"I am really pleased with Joel," the Cardiff head coach said.

"I thought he supported the younger players really well in the most difficult moments of the game."

In truth, Colwill may have been among the first-team regulars rested for Wimbledon had it not been for the gashed knee he suffered during Cardiff's League One win at Northampton Town 11 days ago.

But with his team back in league action when they host Huddersfield Town this weekend, Barry-Murphy wanted Colwill to get game-time.

"He had a bad knee injury at Northampton and part of [the reason he played on Tuesday] was to get him as fit as we want him based on how important he is to us," he added.

"It was very beneficial to get a full 90 minutes into Joel."

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Brian Barry-Murphy insisted he had no regrets over his team selection after a youthful Cardiff City side were knocked out of the EFL Trophy.

The Bluebirds were thrashed 5-1 by AFC Wimbledon – who they beat in League One earlier this season – at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.

Barry-Murphy made nine changes to the side which started last weekend's league triumph over Mansfield Town, with only Dylan Lawlor and Cian Ashford keeping their places.

Gabriel Osho was included while Joel Colwill captained Cardiff as he returned after injury, but the rest of Barry-Murphy's team was made up of academy players.

When asked whether he regretted his team selection, Barry-Murphy said: "No. If I had my time again I'd go younger."

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Barry-Murphy felt that despite the result, the game was another "really good experience" for Cardiff's youngsters.

The Irishman had also given first-team opportunities to a host of younger players during the EFL Trophy group stage.

"We believe fully in our academy. We have seen the fruits of that already this season in terms of players that we have been able to play at first-team level," he added.

"We were aware that Wimbledon have no game on Saturday so that was a full-strength team. The level of challenge was very high for our players and we couldn't compete with the physicality of the opponent throughout the course of the game.

"But in terms of our players, I couldn't be happier with their attitude, their spirit. It's not easy when you lose by such a heavy scoreline and you saw some clear signs of quality throughout the game."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

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Brian Barry-Murphy has said he will stick with youth in Cardiff City's Vertu Trophy last-32 knockout tie at home to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, 2 December (19:45 GMT).

The Bluebirds will be looking for back-to-back home wins after their 3-0 victory over Mansfield on Saturday.

However, the Cardiff boss has made it clear that he will again go with youngsters, just as he did in their triumph over Arsenal Under-21s in October.

"For the majority of players who took us through in that game against Arsenal, that was such a memorable night," said Barry-Murphy.

"It'll be a chance for them to continue and to try and play against a more experienced team and try and overcome that challenge to take us as far as we can in the competition."

Five academy graduates were handed their debuts from the start in the victory against Arsenal U21s.

"I think it was brilliant. We had come off the back of a very difficult result away at Blackpool and the energy and the passion that they brought to the stadium in that performance was something that I was very grateful for.

"It demonstrated all the traits that we want to be associated with Cardiff", added Barry-Murphy.

The 47-year-old will be pleased to have youngsters Luey Giles and Dakarai Mafico available for selection against the Dons, both were away on international duty last time out.

The former Manchester City academy coach, however, is under no illusions about the step up in quality.

"A totally different challenge to the Arsenal U21s team.

"Wimbledon have had a sustained period of success getting promoted from League Two into League One.

"This will be a completely different level of challenge for our young players and one that they'll take a lot from. It'll be really interesting to see how we get on."

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Cardiff City are top of League One heading into a busy run of festive games.

The Bluebirds leapfrogged Stevenage into top spot with Saturday's 3-0 win over Mansfield.

We asked you if Cardiff are set to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking, and here is what you had to say.

Tony: Consistency is the key. If Cardiff can maintain their home form and nick points away from home we will win the league. The home league games are must wins.

Liam: We will get back into the Championship. We should be anyway with the squad we have and not losing key players in the summer we should be winning this league no questions asked.

Dewi: Too early to say now. City need to show consistency and pick up good results over Christmas and New Year.

Stuart: Football is all about winning, but it's the manner in which we're doing it at the moment which is so pleasing. Relegation could be the best thing that's happened to us in years. Still early days, but the future looks very, very bright.

Mike: With some back up in January, Cardiff can return at the first time of asking. Trott is one that has to be signed, whatever the cost!

David: Only a third of the season has gone and there are only five points between us and seventh place. Add in we have six league games in December and it is still too early to judge where we will finish. However we are doing very well and so far seem to find a new gear when required.

Gareth: Although you can take nothing for granted, we should be back in the Championship and fighting for promotion to the Premier League. It is great to see all the academy players getting a chance, but the lack of depth worries me. I think we need at least another centre back, left back, and another physical striker.

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Cardiff City are back on top of the League One table after a 3-0 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Victory for the Bluebirds, combined with Stevenage's goalless draw against Wigan Athletic, means Brian Barry-Murphy's side lead the way to start December.

Cardiff have six home games across three competitions in December, including an EFL Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.

But the priority will remain promotion back to the Championship.

So how likely do you think the Bluebirds are of going straight back up? And how crucial will December's run of home games be?

Have your say here!

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Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy reflected on a "very satisfying" day's work as the Bluebirds returned to the top of the League One table with victory over Mansfield Town.

Cardiff swept the Stags aside with a convincing performance in their 3-0 home win on Saturday.

With previous leaders Stevenage drawing at Wigan Athletic, Barry-Murphy's side reclaimed their place at the summit of League One.

The Mansfield win was all the sweeter as this was Cardiff's first home league fixture since 18 October.

"I think in this stadium the support we've had has been incredible and you can see the energy, how quickly it comes when we're playing well," said Barry-Murphy.

"For the supporters, who've been so behind us so often this season, to get a day like today where they can enjoy the game, enjoy this evening and be at the top of the table is very satisfying for us all. It's very important."

Will Fish put Cardiff in front during a dominant first half, before Yousef Salech and Cian Ashford struck after the break.

The Bluebirds missed several chances to extend their winning margin, while they also limited Mansfield to precious few efforts on goal.

Asked if this was one of his team's more complete performances of the season, Barry-Murphy said: "We've had different points of the season where we've been pretty good, but I thought, yeah, consistently we were very good today.

"In the key moments of the game we created enough chances to score more goals, but we didn't and then when it's 1-0 you can always think it can become difficult, so to get the second goal at that point was crucial for us.

"The togetherness of the team was very satisfying for me and then the overall performance levels of the whole team in general was very pleasing."

Meanwhile, Barry-Murphy confirmed attacking midfielder Rubin Colwill will have surgery on his ankle injury, but that will not change the initial estimate that he will be out for up to 12 weeks.

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Former Cardiff City youth coach David Hughes believes the crop of young talent currently in the Bluebirds' ranks makes for an "exciting period" at the club.

Brian Barry-Murphy has relied heavily on players from the Bluebirds' academy since taking charge of the club in the summer following Cardiff's relegation from the Championship.

Several young guns, including Rubin Colwill, have thrived this season as Cardiff look to secure an immediate return to the second-tier, with Hughes praising the work done within the club's youth set-up.

"James McCarthy was there before me when those younger players were recruited and he deserves the credit for it. Gavin Chesterfield has taken it on from there," Hughes told the Feast of Football podcast.

"When you look at some of the younger players, Joel [Colwill], Dylan [Lawlor], they sold a few, Charlie Crew went to Leeds, Lewys Benjamin to Wolves, Gabriele Biancheri went to Manchester United, all from the same age group of the ones we're talking about.

"There is definitely a group within that era where they can cement themselves as top players, Rubin being one of those.

"I think it's an exciting period for the club with the young players they've got and the ones they've got coming behind which is equally as exciting for Wales as it is for Cardiff, so let's hope they can push on with a promotion."

Only Peterborough United have fielded a side with an average age younger than Barry-Murphy has deployed at Cardiff so far in League One this season.

Hughes feels the club's relegation provided the platform for Cardiff's young guns to impress.

"There's a different focus from staying in the Championship to trying to win a league," he added.

"They go down, and now the intention is to try and win the league.

"What relegation may have done is open the door for the younger players to get the experience of playing in League One to then step back up."

Ioan Griffiths

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Second place Cardiff City welcome Mansfield Town to south Wales on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with the hosts looking to make it three home league wins on the bounce.

The Bluebirds go into the fixture off the back of a hard-earned 3-1 victory at Northampton Town which saw them temporarily return to the summit of the table.

And Brian Barry Murphy's side will be looking to pick up back-to-back league wins for the first time since 18 October.

"Teams will look at this period of the season with so many fixtures as an opportunity to kick on, and that's definitely our intention," said manager Barry-Murphy.

"We've won our last two home games in the league and we have a tough test on Saturday against a team managed by Nigel Clough.

"He's an experienced manager with an experienced squad. So it'll be a tough test for us."

Nigel Clough's side travel to Cardiff on the back of two league defeats, including a 3-1 loss at home to Huddersfield last Saturday.

The inconsistent Stags - currently 13th in League One five points away from the play-off places - will be hoping to cause a shock against a Cardiff side who will be looking to return to the top.

The Welsh club have not had a home match in League One since their mid-October win over Reading, with a 3-1 EFL Trophy victory over Arsenal the only game in their own backyard in the last six fixtures across all competitions.

"Our intentions is to play well and to try and make it three home wins in a row in our home stadium. It's been a long time since we've been here it feels like in the league." added Barry-Murphy.

"The stadium is a really positive place for us in all occasions.

"The turnout we had for that Arsenal game in the EFL Trophy was incredible and we are looking to build on that and try and get the win on Saturday."

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Defender Calum Chambers says Cardiff City's victory at Northampton Town shows they can produce "ugly" wins in addition to the attractive style they have become known for.

Goals from Joel Colwill and Chris Willock either side of an own goal by Northampton's Ethan Wheatley - who scored at both ends - sealed a 3-1 win and sent Brian Barry-Murphy's side top of the League One table.

The game at a freezing Sixfields Stadium was played in windy and rainy conditions.

"When you come to a place like this, they make it ugly and make it hard so it's a different test for us and I think it's a test we passed," said Chambers after the game.

"They're very direct with long balls, I think they are the most direct team in the league, so for us to come and face that test in conditions like that, I thought it was a proper performance.

Chambers said the game was an opportunity for the Cardiff squad to highlight their character and mentality.

"I think we all wanted to prove that and show that anyway," he added.

"We like to play good football and dominate games but you can't do that every game.

"There were things that we could tidy up on, but at the end of the day we've come away with a win so we're all pretty pleased".

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Brian Barry-Murphy gave a pat on the back to his Cardiff City players at Northampton Town after they proved they could come through a scrap to triumph on their travels.

Cardiff were made to work for victory against a physical Cobblers side, with the points not sealed until Chris Willock's sharp finish made it 3-1 in the third minute of added time.

Northampton had their chances, with Cardiff losing momentum at times in a hard-fought contest at Sixfields.

Aside from Cardiff delight over the result – which took Barry-Murphy's team back to the top of League One – there was satisfaction in the away dressing room over the manner of the victory.

"We have to show different sides to our character," Barry-Murphy said.

"We showed a clear sign of how resilient we can be and I am very proud of the players for that.

"This was a good test – and there will be more tests along the way."

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Cardiff's success was their first away from home in League One since September and only their second since August.

The Welsh side have lost third-tier games at Blackpool and Bolton in the last month and exited the FA Cup at Peterborough.

"Northampton was a very difficult game in tough conditions," Barry-Murphy added.

"We had to weather different storms at different times in the game. That's one of the questions that has been levelled against us as a team as we deal with these away fixtures and [at Northampton] we did."

Ioan Griffiths

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The return of club football sees Cardiff City travel to Northampton Town on Saturday (15:00 GMT) for a third successive away game in League One.

The Bluebirds will be looking to bounce back from two league defeats in a row on the road against Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, which have dropped them to fifth in the table.

Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy will be hoping to iron out the inconsistencies of recent weeks, which included a first-round exit at Peterborough United in the FA Cup.

"We have to try and improve all the time. I feel like we are where we should be," Barry-Murphy said.

"In recent weeks we've lost games that we probably should've won. The facts are we are where we are.

"Our intention now is to play the game on Saturday like we know we can and return to the top of the table."

Northampton sit 15th in League One under the management of former Bolton and West Ham United midfielder Kevin Nolan.

The Cobblers have had an up and down season so far but will be looking to win two games on the spin after beating Mansfield Town 2-1 in their last outing.

Barry-Murphy insists his side will not be complacent in their preparations for the trip to Sixfields Stadium.

"Where they are in the table is irrelevant. There's so many different permutations that can impact that, as you saw with Blackpool," he said.

"We've studied them in depth. We are going to prepare for the game meticulously.

"There's a real focus on what we've got to do on Saturday, because we want to be more consistent in our performances to give us a chance to win the game."