The loss at Home Park ended Cardiff’s 12-match unbeaten run and marked their first defeat of 2026, but their head coach was adamant that calm heads will prevail.
The Bluebirds remain top of League One, though their four-point lead has been reduced to a one-point edge over Lincoln City, although they remain 11 points clear of the play-off places.
“It’s a very disappointing result for us, naturally, but we have to take it on the chin,” Barry-Murphy said.
“The players have been very calm all season. They don’t get carried away when we’re doing well and they won’t get carried away when it hasn’t gone our way.
“The players have not been affected by doing well. They’ve remained very humble when we win and it will be the same after a loss.”
The game itself was chaotic and dramatic. Cardiff found themselves trailing 3-2 at half-time in a contest where Plymouth were ruthless despite enjoying as little as 25% possession at times.
Omari Kellyman struck twice for the visitors to keep them in contention, but Argyle pulled away after the break to secure a third consecutive league win.
Barry-Murphy felt his side showed ambition but were ultimately undone by moments of vulnerability when Plymouth broke at speed.
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“We controlled the game in the early exchanges, but we weren’t at our best and, when Plymouth broke, they looked dangerous.
“We needed to be better. Our mindset was to push forward at all times but when the penalty came it was difficult for the players. No issue with the players’ attitude whatsoever.”
Despite the frustration, the Cardiff boss was quick to acknowledge the quality of the opposition and their manager Tom Cleverley.
“Well done to Plymouth and good luck to them. They’re a powerful team and put the ball into forward areas very quickly. They scored from two breakaways when we looked like scoring. We didn’t deal with that well enough and that’s ultimately what cost us the game.”
Barry-Murphy also expanded on his admiration for Cleverley and the changes he has overseen at Argyle.
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“I hold Tom Cleverley in the highest regard, I saw what he did at Watford, really admired that.
“The style of team has changed significantly since we played them earlier in the year. Very direct and get the ball forward quickly. But today we weren’t good enough with the ball and Plymouth did a great job.
“I have no arguments with the result. Plymouth are a very effective team, have a really good coach and they deserved to win the game.”
He added that momentum swung decisively after the interval.
“We felt as though we were going to be really dangerous in the second half.
“The nature of the first half was a very up and down rollercoaster ride. But in the second half I thought we would be really dangerous and we would definitely score.
“But I think the nature of the penalty deflated us and made scoring really difficult for us.”
Plymouth’s victory was powered by a prolific attacking display, with Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple both scoring twice before Mathias Ross added a fifth.
Cleverley praised his side’s mentality and intensity after matching themselves against the league leaders.
“Really proud of the players going toe to toe with the side top of the league,” Cleverley said.
“When Kellyman sticks one in the top corner to make it 3-2 to show why they are top of the league, I loved our mentality after that because they would have been favourites to kick-on.
“It was a complete performance, it was a brave performance and we were on the front foot from the start.
“We were clinical in transition. There was an expectation from the fans today that they were going to turn up and win.
“We are creating something here; it stems from doing the right things – the simple things – on the pitch.
“We need to keep delivering. It’s all about one step at the time.
“The team performance is summed up by two players on two goals and they are not player of the match.
“Joe Edwards was outstanding again today. It’s one of those performances you’re not comfortable picking out a player because the team played so well but if you were to pick someone that player would be the skipper.
“These results are not flukes. There are a lot of reasons for them and hard work is the main one.”
For Barry-Murphy, however, the bigger picture remains unchanged. With a trip to Doncaster Rovers next on the schedule, his focus is firmly on response rather than reaction.
“We’ll work as we always do and try to bounce back. Our focus is always the next game and to remain consistent,” he added.
