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The Full Scale of Cardiff City's Brian Barry-Murphy Revolution

Brian Barry-Murphy, Manager of Cardiff City F.C. Pic. Alamy

Brian Barry-Murphy, Manager of Cardiff City F.C. Pic. Alamy

Cardiff City are thriving under Brian Barry-Murphy with an unbeaten start in League One and the stats proving a new emphasis on possession, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

Cardiff City further demonstrated their promotion credentials with a dramatic last-gasp victory at Wimbledon, but there is something deeper going on in the capital.

Victory against the Dons ensured the Bluebirds have collected 10 points from a possible 12 at the start of their League One campaign - while it leaves them as just one of four sides still unbeaten in the division.

But, arguably the most significant aspect of the win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, and those against Peterborough and Rotherham, has been the Bluebirds' dominance and control.

Match-going fans have seen the style shift in front of their very eyes and won't need statistics to back up their views that Brian Barry-Murphy has rapidly transformed their side.

But in the iconic lyrics of Labi Siffre that have made Shaun Williamson, predominantly known as Barry from Eastenders, the go to guy for parody merchants across the UK… “We’re gonna do it anyway!”

As was the case in the stalemate at Port Vale, Cardiff didn't actually carry much of a threat at Wimbledon - with Isaak Davies' 92nd minute winner being their only shot on target against Johnnie Jackson's side.

But they dictated long periods of play, ending the contest with 67% possession and having made 530 passes - more than double what the Dons managed (257).

According to stats website FBREF, Cardiff have averaged 65.3% possession in the league so far this season - the most of any side in the third tier. It's also an enormous jump from the 46.8% they averaged in the Championship last term.

Their pass completion rate of 85% is the best in the division while their goals per shots on target rate stands at 0.43, the third best in League One.

They are making great strides defensively too having conceded just once, the best record in the league - and even that was from the penalty spot against Peterborough.

READ MORE: Buoyant Brian Barry-Murphy Already Turning Towards Cardiff City's Hatters Party

It's all been done having fielded the second youngest squad, with an average age of 23.6, higher only than Peterborough, in League One following the departures of experienced men including Joe Ralls, Aaron Ramsey, Dimitrios Goutas, Yakou Meite, Callum O'Dowda and Andy Rinomhota.

Nathan Trott - Cardiff's sole summer signing to date - has played his part in the style shift and has the added bonus of a perfect rate of three clean sheets from his three league appearances so far.

The goalkeeper also boasts a hugely impressive pass success rate of 65%. For context, the pass success figures for goalkeepers from the other three unbeaten sides in League One are as follows: 45.9% for Barnsley's Murphy Cooper, 32.5% for Stevenage's Filip Marschall and 30.6% for Bradford's Sam Walker.

He was largely a spectator at Wimbledon until being called upon to thwart Antwoine Hackford at the death with a magnificent save.

Of course, a pinch of salt must be taken when discussing the fine start given that both of Cardiff's away fixtures so far have been against sides that were playing two divisions below the Bluebirds as recently as last season.

Saturday's trip to a Luton side who were playing Premier League football in May 2024 will serve as a far greater gauge of just how much this team has progressed in little more than two months since Barry-Murphy signed a three-year deal as head coach in the Welsh capital.

READ MORE: Callum Robinson and Calum Chambers are not Happy . . . But That’s Fine, Says Cardiff City Boss Brian Barry-Murphy

The Irish boss also remains hopeful of adding to his squad before the 7pm transfer deadline on September 1.

But the early signs are immensely positive for the long-suffering Cardiff faithful - particularly given the lack of additions made and the short amount of time Barry-Murphy has had to work with a new-look side.

Rubin Colwill and David Turnbull are starting to thrive while Ronan Kpakio, the aforementioned Trott, Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor and Isaak Davies are among those looking to play pivotal roles in getting Cardiff back to the Championship at the first attempt.

The only negative was the injury to Ollie Tanner on Tuesday night, with the winger appearing destined for a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle issue.

But having already told supporters to dream whatever they wish, fans are now doing just that after seeing the early rewards of what, albeit at this early stage, appears to be one of the club's most shrewd managerial appointments for some time.

READ MORE: Brian Barry-Murphy Targets Consecutive Home Triumphs as Cardiff Look to Build Early Momentum

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