Cardiff sit top of League One and remain on an eight-game unbeaten run, a sequence that has opened up a healthy cushion over the chasing pack.
While they have won only five of their last nine league fixtures and are yet to post back-to-back victories in 2026, Barry-Murphy’s side are now 10 points clear of third place with a game in hand.
A big contributor to widening that gap has been Willock, who joined Cardiff from QPR in 2024 after coming through the Arsenal academy.
“I always thought he was somebody I didn't ever think I'd get to work with,” Barry-Murphy said.
“The chance that I have is very rewarding and we value him enormously. His journey was slightly unorthodox, but very normal for a young player.
“His time at QPR was where I saw him at his best – the football they played under Mark Warburton was amazing.”
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Willock endured a difficult first campaign in south Wales as Cardiff slipped out of the Championship, managing just two goals in 32 league outings.
This season, however, the 27-year-old has rediscovered his confidence and cutting edge in League One, with his brace in Tuesday’s emphatic 4-0 win over Barnsley taking him to six goals for the campaign, alongside five assists in 25 league appearances.
“For a player of his calibre, he has to have the outcomes in terms of goals and assists,” Barry-Murphy said.
“That means being in a physical condition where he can deliver, not just relying on spectacular goals.
“He's getting towards where he needs to be physically now and he'll only improve.”
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Willock will be hoping to continue that form when Cardiff travel to Burton Albion on Saturday, though Barry-Murphy is under no illusions about the size of the task despite the Brewers’ lowly league position.
“It was a very difficult game when we played against them in our own stadium. They clearly showed how dangerous a team they are and have continued to do so,” he said.
Burton sit 20th in the table and have been dragged back towards the relegation places, losing five of their last six league games.
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Their only victory in that run came against promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town, while narrow defeats to second-placed Lincoln City and third-placed Bolton Wanderers underlined their ability to compete with the division’s leading sides.
“They've had some brilliant results against the top teams and obviously were very competitive in the game against Bolton on Tuesday,” Barry-Murphy added.
“It's going to be a really tough game and one that we're really looking forward to.”
Cardiff’s form has been built largely on their home dominance, where they have collected 37 points from 15 matches.
Their away record is less convincing, with just six wins from 13 trips, a statistic that will give Burton hope of repeating their 1-0 victory over the Bluebirds earlier in the season.
Barry-Murphy, though, is pleased with how his squad has handled a demanding winter schedule.
“I'm very pleased with the response of the players in that congested period,” he said.
“We've managed to come through the other side of January with most of the players in a good physical state.”
Supporters hoping to see Rubin Colwill return will have to wait a little longer, with the midfielder still sidelined alongside Yousef Salech, although both are closing in on comebacks.
“There's a lot of room for optimism especially with Rubin so close to a return and obviously Yousef,” Barry-Murphy said.
“The squad is in a really good place and I'm very pleased.”
