Barry-Murphy's point about the youth of his team is an impor

Barry-Murphy's point about the youth of his team is an important one.


BBC

Since his first day in the job, the former Manchester City Academy boss has put his faith in Cardiff's academy graduates – and to excellent effect.


Not only have they played a central role in winning promotion and introducing a bold new brand of football, but the fact they are young and Welsh has helped strengthen the club's identity and its bond with supporters.


Before drawing with West Ham last week, Cardiff had fewer points than they did at the same stage of the 2024-25 season, when they were relegated from the Championship.



However, the contrast in mood between the two campaigns could hardly be greater.
Two years ago, Cardiff had already sacked manager Erol Bulut after just six league games, and a toxic atmosphere was tearing the club apart.


Now, fans are fully behind Barry-Murphy and his players.



BBM:

"The stuff you're referencing is a long way back and I wasn't here, so I'm not aware of it," Barry-Murphy said of that shift.

"But we believe in the players that we have, we believe we can have a great season."


Barry-Murphy has considerable credit in the bank having led Cardiff to League One promotion at the first attempt.
As a result, supporters have been more forgiving about the team's tribulations this season than they would have been the last time they were in the Championship.


For example, even after watching their side throw away a 3-0 lead in the West Ham draw, most fans highlighted Cardiff's mounting injury list and subsequently threadbare squad as mitigating factors for a result they would have gladly accepted beforehand.


The Bluebirds were without four senior centre-backs for that game, while at Wolves the previous weekend they ended the game with winger Ollie Tanner and central midfielder Joel Colwill operating as emergency full-backs.



Those issues were evident against Burnley as well, with Barry-Murphy revealing after the match that Bielik, Fish, Perry Ng and match-winner Alex Robertson had all played through pain, such was their desperation to get their team through this difficult period.

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I notice that the older players are getting phased out Robinson turnbull etc they will not be with us next season ,
youth is taking over it's a fine balance though ,
the youth have to be established youth players and the likes of rubin bagan are now established.

Slowly and surely we will have a younger and more established squad ,as long as we can keep producing from the academy we should be on track and there will be no need for our academy players to go else where they can go straight into our squad and starting 11.

What has BBM done to our club, very little spent, youngsters wanted to play for the badge, and highly talented players coming through, we as fans have been wishing this for years, Please let this continue, we may not be top of the table, I dont care.

I notice that the older players are getting phased out Robinson turnbull etc they will not be with us next season ,
youth is taking over it's a fine balance though ,
the youth have to be established youth players and the likes of rubin bagan are now established.

Slowly and surely we will have a younger and more established squad ,as long as we can keep producing from the academy we should be on track and there will be no need for our academy players to go else where they can go straight into our squad and starting 11.

I think it's vital with a young squad, to have two or three older heads there to pass on their experience and help keep things together when there's a tough spell.

We've got Ng who's 30 for a start and he's a positive influence.

Turnbull isn't old, he's 27 - think he's a decent squad player.

I notice that the older players are getting phased out Robinson turnbull etc they will not be with us next season ,
youth is taking over it's a fine balance though ,
the youth have to be established youth players and the likes of rubin bagan are now established.

Slowly and surely we will have a younger and more established squad ,as long as we can keep producing from the academy we should be on track and there will be no need for our academy players to go else where they can go straight into our squad and starting 11.

I think it's vital with a young squad, to have two or three older heads there to pass on their experience and help keep things together when there's a tough spell.

We've got Ng who's 30 for a start and he's a positive influence.

Turnbull isn't old, he's 27 - think he's a decent squad player.

Turnbull is one of the highest paid players at the club, he's been a dreadful return on investment. The top earners need to be guaranteed starters not squad players. We can get guys in with experience for far less

Agree turnbull is not for me, done nothing since he came,
what I was trying to say was bagan and colwill are the experienced ones now yes perry is probably the oldest but Ashford joe colwill kapakio Robertson are getting to be the more experienced players and if we keep putting in 1 2 3 players per season into the squad or first team we will have built a experienced but young squad and moving away from over 30s turnbull maybe still young but is not what cardiff require we need better motivated players turnbull does not bust a gut like joe colwill.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.


Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.

NED you say and the end of your post that it's not the lack of experience that is stopping us been in the play offs, but it's the depth "meaning" a small squad is stopping us.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.

Good points well made.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.

NED you say and the end of your post that it's not the lack of experience that is stopping us been in the play offs, but it's the depth "meaning" a small squad is stopping us.

100% it is when it comes to having serious play-off ambitions. I think the squad we have is fine to be mid table, but not to properly compete for top eight - needs to be bigger for that.

I notice that the older players are getting phased out Robinson turnbull etc they will not be with us next season ,
youth is taking over it's a fine balance though ,
the youth have to be established youth players and the likes of rubin bagan are now established.

Slowly and surely we will have a younger and more established squad ,as long as we can keep producing from the academy we should be on track and there will be no need for our academy players to go else where they can go straight into our squad and starting 11.

I think it's vital with a young squad, to have two or three older heads there to pass on their experience and help keep things together when there's a tough spell.

We've got Ng who's 30 for a start and he's a positive influence.

Turnbull isn't old, he's 27 - think he's a decent squad player.

I agree! I think BBM realised he needs ‘older heads’ in his squad, and he accommodates them to fit his system. Perry Ng is a good example of someone who ‘fits in’ to his methodology, and he’s pretty much nailed down his place in the starting XI

The players Monty referred to, Robinson now seemingly excepted, are still vital members of the squad and will play a valuable part in the season before BBM worries about next season

This ‘writing off’ of players without real foundation is frustrating, as each one currently fits into BBM’s ‘interchangeable’ethos, and we’ll need them all at some point, so let’s get behind them!

I think when it comes to players in. BBM clearly spend for spending sake. He knows we have weaknesses but i suspect he wants to avoid re runs of the chambers robinson and turbulls. Big wages but don't naturally fit what he wants. He's obviously happier working with and giving experience to younger players if he can't get what he is after. We bemoan the squad size. But look at what we have done before? Vassell. The Norwegians. That Spanish striker. That Spanish defender in the prem. Simic. Even Tomlin and Reid - both quality players but signed with zero plan how to play them.

Arguably BBM has a 100% success rate with his signings.

I love what he's doing. The football is exciting but more importantly every single one of those players fights for each other and the club.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.


Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.


Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

To genuinely compete for the play-offs, yes the squad needs to be bigger. Which is why I've never said we will be competing for the play-offs.

The squad is fine for mid table but needs to be bigger if we want to compete for top eight.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.


Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

To genuinely compete for the play-offs, yes the squad needs to be bigger. Which is why I've never said we will be competing for the play-offs.

The squad is fine for mid table but needs to be bigger if we want to compete for top eight.

Definitely need a deeper squad to make a push for the upper half finish or even the playoffs. City are on track to score almost as many goals as they did in L1 last year, but against much stronger opposition. The problem is goals conceded are are going to be 80+ at their current rate. It doesn't matter that we have plenty of center backs if they spend more time on the table than of the pitch.

I think Cardiff could really attack the loan market in January looking for a combination of experience and youth that could fit into the BBM style. Some names I can throw into the ring:

Cedric Kipre - Ipswich Town
Jens Hjerto-Dahl - Hull (is he even playing any minutes yet?)
Omari Kellyman - Strasbourg (hibernating in France)
Kendry Paez - Chelsea (young attacking winger - Ecuador international)
Chizaram Ezenwata - Chelsea (academy striker - great talent)

This manager knows how to work with young players and get the best out of them .

Barry-Murphy's point about the youth of his team is an important one.


BBC

Since his first day in the job, the former Manchester City Academy boss has put his faith in Cardiff's academy graduates – and to excellent effect.


Not only have they played a central role in winning promotion and introducing a bold new brand of football, but the fact they are young and Welsh has helped strengthen the club's identity and its bond with supporters.


Before drawing with West Ham last week, Cardiff had fewer points than they did at the same stage of the 2024-25 season, when they were relegated from the Championship.



However, the contrast in mood between the two campaigns could hardly be greater.
Two years ago, Cardiff had already sacked manager Erol Bulut after just six league games, and a toxic atmosphere was tearing the club apart.


Now, fans are fully behind Barry-Murphy and his players.



BBM:

"The stuff you're referencing is a long way back and I wasn't here, so I'm not aware of it," Barry-Murphy said of that shift.

"But we believe in the players that we have, we believe we can have a great season."


Barry-Murphy has considerable credit in the bank having led Cardiff to League One promotion at the first attempt.
As a result, supporters have been more forgiving about the team's tribulations this season than they would have been the last time they were in the Championship.


For example, even after watching their side throw away a 3-0 lead in the West Ham draw, most fans highlighted Cardiff's mounting injury list and subsequently threadbare squad as mitigating factors for a result they would have gladly accepted beforehand.


The Bluebirds were without four senior centre-backs for that game, while at Wolves the previous weekend they ended the game with winger Ollie Tanner and central midfielder Joel Colwill operating as emergency full-backs.



Those issues were evident against Burnley as well, with Barry-Murphy revealing after the match that Bielik, Fish, Perry Ng and match-winner Alex Robertson had all played through pain, such was their desperation to get their team through this difficult period.

Signing someone like Charlie Holt perfectly illustrates the club's strategic direction. Rather than throwing youth straight into the deep end, they will integrate them methodically, supported by players who are becoming established seniors like Colwill, Robinson, and Moylan. It builds a sustainable, positive ecosystem for the entire academy and first team pathway.

Barry-Murphy's point about the youth of his team is an important one.


BBC

Since his first day in the job, the former Manchester City Academy boss has put his faith in Cardiff's academy graduates – and to excellent effect.


Not only have they played a central role in winning promotion and introducing a bold new brand of football, but the fact they are young and Welsh has helped strengthen the club's identity and its bond with supporters.


Before drawing with West Ham last week, Cardiff had fewer points than they did at the same stage of the 2024-25 season, when they were relegated from the Championship.



However, the contrast in mood between the two campaigns could hardly be greater.
Two years ago, Cardiff had already sacked manager Erol Bulut after just six league games, and a toxic atmosphere was tearing the club apart.


Now, fans are fully behind Barry-Murphy and his players.



BBM:

"The stuff you're referencing is a long way back and I wasn't here, so I'm not aware of it," Barry-Murphy said of that shift.

"But we believe in the players that we have, we believe we can have a great season."


Barry-Murphy has considerable credit in the bank having led Cardiff to League One promotion at the first attempt.
As a result, supporters have been more forgiving about the team's tribulations this season than they would have been the last time they were in the Championship.


For example, even after watching their side throw away a 3-0 lead in the West Ham draw, most fans highlighted Cardiff's mounting injury list and subsequently threadbare squad as mitigating factors for a result they would have gladly accepted beforehand.


The Bluebirds were without four senior centre-backs for that game, while at Wolves the previous weekend they ended the game with winger Ollie Tanner and central midfielder Joel Colwill operating as emergency full-backs.



Those issues were evident against Burnley as well, with Barry-Murphy revealing after the match that Bielik, Fish, Perry Ng and match-winner Alex Robertson had all played through pain, such was their desperation to get their team through this difficult period.

Signing someone like Charlie Holt perfectly illustrates the club's strategic direction. Rather than throwing youth straight into the deep end, they will integrate them methodically, supported by players who are becoming established seniors like Colwill, Robinson, and Moylan. It builds a sustainable, positive ecosystem for the entire academy and first team pathway.

I meant Robertson; it's an autocorrect.

It's a myth we don't have experienced players or that BBM only wants young players. Ng has been mentioned and he's a key member of the squad - could easily be dropped for Kpakio if the manager was just obsessed with playing young players.

Bielik is experienced. So are Willock and Osho.

Robinson being left out will always be brought up but that's for something that's happened behind the scenes. Let's face it, it's not the first time he's had issues and a lot of them were with previous managers.

You also don't need to be 29/30 to be experienced. Although we have those with

Fish, Bagan, Willock, Osho, Robertson, Rubin, Turnbull have all played over 100 league games in their career - that's experience.

People can get too caught up in needing experience. Last summer it was "we must get an experienced manager" and "we must bring in experienced players". Turned out it wasn't as essential as they thought. Same again in the summer just gone. We have the right blend and we're going well. A lack of experience isn't what's stopping us being genuine play-off contenders, it's a lack of depth - as we all know.


Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

Ned,


In your reply here, I’m sure you are Saying it’s because our squad is small ( lack of Depth)

I agree with a few more players we would be Top 8 at least

To genuinely compete for the play-offs, yes the squad needs to be bigger. Which is why I've never said we will be competing for the play-offs.

The squad is fine for mid table but needs to be bigger if we want to compete for top eight.

Definitely need a deeper squad to make a push for the upper half finish or even the playoffs. City are on track to score almost as many goals as they did in L1 last year, but against much stronger opposition. The problem is goals conceded are are going to be 80+ at their current rate. It doesn't matter that we have plenty of center backs if they spend more time on the table than of the pitch.

I think Cardiff could really attack the loan market in January looking for a combination of experience and youth that could fit into the BBM style. Some names I can throw into the ring:

Cedric Kipre - Ipswich Town
Jens Hjerto-Dahl - Hull (is he even playing any minutes yet?)
Omari Kellyman - Strasbourg (hibernating in France)
Kendry Paez - Chelsea (young attacking winger - Ecuador international)
Chizaram Ezenwata - Chelsea (academy striker - great talent)

BBM's stock and reputation is sky high at the moment which must boost our chances of acquiring one or two top notch loans in January. He is undoubtedly seen as more than a safe pair of hands and I fully expect PL clubs to entrust him with their up and coming youngsters during the next transfer window.

What has BBM done to our club, very little spent, youngsters wanted to play for the badge, and highly talented players coming through, we as fans have been wishing this for years, Please let this continue, we may not be top of the table, I dont care.

Howie this is a great point , couldn’t agree more .
What he’s done is absolutely superb , the whole team playing for each other and the passion is for all to see

What has BBM done to our club, very little spent, youngsters wanted to play for the badge, and highly talented players coming through, we as fans have been wishing this for years, Please let this continue, we may not be top of the table, I dont care.

Howie this is a great point , couldn’t agree more .
What he’s done is absolutely superb , the whole team playing for each other and the passion is for all to see

Abso-bloody-lutely!