Brian Barry-Murphy has admitted senior duo Callum Robinson and Calum Chambers are not satisfied with being reduced to substitute roles at Cardiff City.
But the Bluebirds boss insists their attitude is helping drive the squad forward.
The pair, both 30, had to settle for late cameos in Saturday’s convincing 3-0 home win over Rotherham United.
Robinson, last season’s top scorer, entered the contest in the 82nd minute, while Chambers, who was made club captain for this season, did not feature until six minutes later.
For players of their stature, it is unfamiliar territory — yet Barry-Murphy insists their professionalism has been vital in fostering healthy competition.
"It's a team that has a lot of young players but we are also very appreciative of our older players – Callum Robinson, Calum Chambers," the Cardiff head coach said.
"They won't be happy at being on the bench but they have been exceptional in training and have given us healthy competition to allow us to pick the best team based on what we see in training and what we see from the opponents - and it's picked irrespective of age.
"That benefits the younger players, but it's the same for the older players. We are not going to pick anyone just because they are younger.
"It is just whoever is best and it is important for Calum and Callum to know that because of how good they have been."
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The tension between youth and experience is already a defining theme of Barry-Murphy’s short reign.
His starting line-up against Rotherham had an average age of just 22, with 18-year-old academy product Dakarai Mafico thrown in at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade.
Mafico endured a tough outing, booked early and withdrawn ten minutes before half-time amid fears he might be sent off.
Yet Barry-Murphy backed him publicly.
"I was just concerned that he was walking a tightrope after the yellow card," he explained.
"He is a brilliant player. He is an elite number six and when you see him play there you will see how good he is. He is a brilliant prospect for the club.
"He has a lot of good senior professionals in the dressing room who will help him learn from this and make sure that next time he plays, it's an even better occasion for him and his family."
READ MORE: Brian Barry-Murphy Praises Cardiff City’s Growth After Hard-Fought Cup Win
That balance between bedding in youngsters and managing senior expectations will shape Cardiff’s campaign.
For now, results are positive. The Rotherham victory, sealed by goals from Yousef Salech, Cian Ashford and Rubin Colwill, extended the Bluebirds’ unbeaten start to the season and lifted them to second in the League One table.
“The energy since I came to the club has been incredible,” said Barry-Murphy.
“We played in the cup during the week, Swindon scored a goal and the reaction from our supporters was something the players commented on. It gave us a lot of energy to go on and win the game.
"The supporters can do whatever they want and dream whatever they want to dream because they deserve it, but our focus is solely on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Home fans chanted “straight back up Cardiff City” as their side cruised past Rotherham, but Barry-Murphy insists his gaze is fixed on the immediate challenge — a midweek trip to AFC Wimbledon followed by an early kick-off at Luton next Saturday.
“I think consistently the players are applying themselves really well, the mentality seems really open to improvement,” he reflected.
“There are going to be games where it goes different ways and I was very pleased with te performance of the team today – but I thought there were large parts of it that we can improve.”
He also reserved praise for his young central defenders Will Fish and Dylan Lawlor, who dealt well with the aerial threat of Jordan Hugill.
“A lot of the focus will be on how we press from the front to try and protect those guys and deal with as least attacks as possible,” Barry-Murphy said.
“But I thought when the balls came into the box, there were moments where Dylan and Will had to defend the box against Jordan Hugill, who is a really experienced striker, supported by Nathan (Trott) and both full-backs.”
For opposition boss Matt Hamshaw, it was an afternoon of frustration.
“The game plan first half was try and frustrate them and I think we did that. I was pleased with some aspects, but then to concede from such a soft set piece is disappointing… all in all we weren’t good enough second half,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, Barry-Murphy knows his biggest man-management test lies ahead.
Keeping senior figures like Robinson and Chambers engaged while leaning on the hunger of younger teammates could be the formula that sustains Cardiff’s promotion push.
