Cardiff City

Philip Marsh
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says it is important his players "feel the disappointment" of their defeat by Lincoln City.

The Bluebirds' 105-day run at the top of League One was ended on Saturday, as they were beaten 2-0 by the Imps - who leapfrogged them into first place in the table.

It was a first home defeat in the league for Cardiff since September 2025, and has allowed the chasing pack to close the gap later on Saturday.

But Barry-Murphy insisted he "never panics", with the Bluebirds still holding an 11-point cushion over third-place Bolton Wanderers.

"When you suffer a defeat at home against a team so close to you it is very disappointing," said Barry-Murphy.

"You have to feel that disappointment and accept it and bounce back from it.

"The players here are in a very good place, and every time we've had a set back we've bounced back."

Despite dominating possession the Bluebirds were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities against a physical and well-drilled Lincoln team.

Long-distance efforts always looked the most likely source of a goal for Cardiff, with Ollie Tanner and Rubin Colwill both coming close in the first half.

But in front of a crowd of 27,280 - the highest figure for a league game at the Cardiff City Stadium since September 2023 - the Bluebirds could not give the fans the "perfect day" their head coach wanted.

"In a stadium with so many of our supporters present, we wanted to give them the perfect day but today that wasn't possible and was not meant to be," said Barry-Murphy.

"Their keeper made a couple of great saves in the first half, I thought if we scored we'd have been in a great situation but we couldn't find it.

"Lincoln did a good job of protecting their goal and then scoring on the breakaway like they did.

"It's a very disappointing result."

Cardiff City's next game against title rivals Lincoln City will see two of League One's meanest defences go up against each other.

The Bluebirds got back to winning ways last Saturday by hitting four past Doncaster Rovers.

In doing so they kept a 13th clean sheet of the campaign and the only other team in the division to have kept as many as that are the Imps.

But despite Cardiff's defensive prowess, manager Brian Barry-Murphy has rarely chosen the same centre-back pairing in successive games.

So what do you believe is City's strongest centre-back partnership?

Do you prefer the Premier League experience of Gabriel Osho and Callum Chambers?

Or are Cardiff stronger with the younger Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish? Is it a mixture of both?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Ioan Griffiths

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy says he was pleased with how his players executed their game plan perfectly as they dismantled Doncaster Rovers 4-0 on Saturday.

The Bluebirds quickly got back to winning ways at the Eco Power Stadium after suffering a disappointing 5-2 loss away at Plymouth Argyle, which brought an end to their 12 game unbeaten run previously.

"It was a very positive performance," Barry-Murphy said.

"We really wanted to play the game in an aggressive manner and show the best version of ourselves. I think the players did exactly what we planned from the first minute."

"We were aware of how good a team, in terms of technical ability, Doncaster are, they wouldn't have enjoyed playing on that pitch either.

"But we have to show over the course of the season how adaptable we are, how we overcome different tests and that was part of the challenge today."

The standout performer for the Bluebirds on his first start since January was Wales international Dylan Lawlor.

Just a minute into the second half, the central defender picked up the ball from just outside his own penalty box, ran the length of the pitch before slotting one in the bottom corner.

He also set up Cardiff's opener, playing a sumptuous ball in behind for Alex Robertson to finish.

And Barry-Murphy was full of praise for the 20 year-old defender.

"He's had a knee injury since January which has been complicated for him, but we felt he was in a good place to start and that the game would suit him," said Barry-Murphy.

"It was great day for him to play and he's a very important member of our squad. He's a brilliant player, and a brilliant lad and we're very pleased to have him."

Worryingly for the Bluebirds, Barry-Murphy said that Lawlor was replaced due to an issue with his calf and could be unavailable for their top of the table clash with Lincoln City on Saturday.

"He's picked up an issue with his calf, he was struggling at half time," Barry-Murphy added.

"We'll just have to see how he is in the week and see how he progresses."

Image source, Coventry City FC

You might not hear the old terrace refrain of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' as often as you used to, but it still has a better ring than 'the shirt's not fit for you to wear'.

Championship leaders Coventry City launched a new collection on Friday, proudly taking inspiration from a kit widely dubbed the 'Worst of All Time'.

A take on the club's infamous brown change strip worn away from Highfield Road from 1978 to 1981, the modern reinvention features what the club calls "a deeper chocolate plum colour with sky blue elements".

Many would suggest it sounds tastier than it looks.

But it's got us thinking... what are actually the worst EFL kits of all time? Let us know which of your club's shirts is hiding in the back of the wardrobe, or even if they were too ugly for you to even part money for them.

We'll collate a list of the biggest eyesores and will give you the chance to vote on the ghastliest of all next week.

Click here to let us know your suggestion, and you can even attach a picture if you really want to convey the horror.

Ioan Griffiths

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City will use their defeat by Plymouth Argyle to "fuel the fire" as they travel north to face Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, 28 February (15:00 GMT).

Cardiff sit top of League One and were on a 12-match unbeaten run before suffering a disappointing 5-2 defeat away at Plymouth last time out.

Barry-Murphy insists that disappointment is only pushing his players to work harder.

"Naturally, if you have a result that's as disappointing as it was on Saturday, you have to feel it, and acknowledge it," Barry-Murphy said.

"A result like that either makes you feel disheartened or it fuels the fires to push on and do even more.

"I'm really grateful to have a group of players who bounce back every single time and give me energy as much as I hope I give them energy, like a two-way relationship."

Doncaster, currently 18th, go into Saturday's fixture in good form, winning three of their past four League One games as they fight to avoid relegation.

The reverse fixture at Cardiff City Stadium proved to be an enthralling contest as Joel Bagan scored the winner in the 99th minute to secure a 4-3 victory for the Bluebirds.

Barry-Murphy says he is looking forward to the challenge, despite the threat Doncaster could pose to his side.

"Everywhere we look, we see teams who have have really high potential and Doncaster have an exceptional team. They have exceptional individual players, dangerous players, especially in attacking areas who can cause us problems," Barry-Murphy said.

"They also have a manager who's had real success recently with them, so it will be a brilliant game for us and one that we're really excited for."

Barry-Murphy has also been impressed with the progress of Rubin Colwill, one of Cardiff's standout players before his lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Colwill was introduced at half time during the loss to Plymouth, gaining more valuable minutes as he continues to return to full match fitness.

He will be hoping the Wales international can help City in their promotion push over the coming months.

"He (Colwill) came on at a really good time for us and initially in the second half, I felt as if we were very confident and we would score and get back in the game," Barry-Murphy added.

"To get Rubin back in action for a longer period than previously, it was really important for him and he's making great progress."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City striker Yousef Salech has flown home to Copenhagen for personal reasons.

Salech returned to training last week following a neck injury sustained during the League One leaders' 1-1 draw with Stockport on 24 January.

The 24-year-old had a hospital scan which determined the injury was not serious.

Although Salech is back in training, he is still not ready to play.

"He's back home in Copenhagen. Some personal issues with his family, so he's at home in Copenhagen," said Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"He'll return to us on Monday or Tuesday and crack on with his rehabilitation."

Meanwhile, forward Isaak Davies could feature in Saturday's League One trip to Doncaster Rovers (15:00 GMT) having been out with concussion.

Midfielder David Turnbull, however, will miss the game with a hamstring strain he sustained during last Saturday's 5-2 defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

"Isaak has trained fully this week, so fingers crossed he'll be available," said Barry-Murphy.

"David Turnbull came off with a hamstring injury at half-time at Plymouth and the suggestions are it's not a serious issue, but he hasn't trained as such. I'd say the weekend will come too soon for him.

"But apart from that, all the players who were involved at the weekend should be good."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy insists will players remain "calm" as they look to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

The League One leaders suffered a 5-2 defeat at Home Park but still have an 11-point gap between themselves and third-placed Bolton Wanderers with 13 games of the season remaining.

"We will continue to work as we always work," said Barry-Murphy.

"Obviously we'll try and bounce back with a really good training week and play well next Saturday [at Doncaster], but the players have been very calm all season.

"We haven't got carried away when we've been doing so well and we won't get carried away when it hasn't gone our way.

"The players have not been affected by how well they've done, they've remained very humble."

Defender Will Fish could return for Saturday's game with Doncaster after being left out at Plymouth with Calum Chambers and Gabriel Osho preferred as centre-backs instead.

Image source, BBC Sport

We asked you, Cardiff City's fans, whether you have any concerns about the Bluebirds' promotion prospects after Saturday's heavy defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

The 5-2 loss was a rare setback in what has been a fine season for brian Barry-Murphy's team, who remain top of League One but are now just a point clear of Lincoln City.

However, the gap to third place Bolton is 11 points, and Cardiff have a game in hand on Wanderers.

Here are some of your views on Cardiff's current situation.

David - I'm sure the team will bounce back on Saturday against Doncaster. City have shown their resilience and strong team spirit after every setback this season. The aim will be to reproduce the quality of football which got them to top of the table in the first place. I still believe we'll beat Lincoln in the next home game which will pave the way for Cardiff City to become League One champions.

Vivienne - Not concerned. Manager played the wrong centre-backs, perhaps because the two alternatives have been carrying injuries.

Peter - Nice to be in this position. Plymouth is always an awful away trip, conditions were poor for a footballing side like Cardiff, we'll be OK for an automatic place.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Glyn - We've struggled a lot this season when up against bigger, more physical sides, especially away from home. At times we've been able to wear down the opposition with possession football which has tired them in the final third of the game. To be honest the weather created a battling environment which negated some of our usual tactics. And to be fair to Plymouth they pressed really well and were really efficient in transition and scored some good goals and deserved full credit for the win. I've got complete faith in BBM (Brian Barry-Murphy) and the squad, and I'm certain this will only be a blip and we'll see a reaction against Doncaster on Saturday.

Keith - I'm a little concerned but our previous form and accomplishments will see us through.

Josh - One loss isn't concerning at all, and eventually all unbeaten streaks come to an end. Our main priority is to achieve automatic promotion and if we finish second, then I will be happy with that. We still have a healthy cushion over third and as long as that gap remains, I think we will be OK. We now need to go and win at Doncaster.

Russell – [Callum] Robinson is not the answer when we want a goal. It looked to me as if the substitutions were just the normal player rotation with not much thought for winning the game. And where, oh where was [Ryan] Wintle? If he wasn't carrying a knock he should be starting every time.

Simon - We have a really tough run-in playing Bolton & Lincoln. Horrible feeling we will run out of steam and fall into the play-offs and we know what happens then!

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Jon - Blip it maybe but BBM needs to stop rotating centre-halves. For me [Will] Fish and [Dylan] Lawlor (pictured above) must start next week. [David] Turnbull is too slow and Wintle was missed. [Chris] Willock looked uninterested and needs replacing IMO. Need to come out all guns blazing next week before we play another physical side in Lincoln who aren't going away any time soon! Seven more wins should see us promoted.

Jeff - One game doesn't change a season. We are well ahead of the play-off places. We have a great team and great manager. There is no reason why we won't get a result at Doncaster and get straight back on track. Rubin [Colwill] is now back in contention and hopefully Yousef [Salech] will also be back soon. I'm pretty relaxed.

David – Not [concerned] at all. It is a marathon and not a sprint. This team know how to win and losses like this can happen. Everyone needs to stay calm and I would be saying the same if we had won 5-2. Top of league and a healthy gap to third place should bring huge belief to all that we will go up.

Gwynfor - I'm not concerned too much about the result because we move on. However, I am concerned about some of the players' commitment, with [Calum] Chambers being the main one. Cardiff City are the best in the league, and this is backed up by league position and all the stats say so, but that could make players think that the game is won even before kick-off. Concentrate and respect the opponent!

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

JJ - Please let's not carried away. We lost to a team who were in the Championship last season like ourselves. They are the in-form team in League One having now won three on the bounce. They were the better side on the day and deservedly took the win. Good luck to Plymouth and I'm sure they'll be in the mix at the end of the season. Back to us, first loss in 2026, first loss in 13 fixtures, we are top of the league, 11 points clear of third (possibly 10 come Tuesday night). We outclass and outplay most teams in this league, we have one of, if not the most progressive and ambitious young mangers in the league. We have a young, ultra-fit and [most] skilful group of players I've seen at the CCS (Cardiff City Stadium) for decades. Let's keep chipping away one game at time, playing enjoyable, free-flowing football and the results will keep coming. Keep the faith in BBM and the boys.

Leonard - Always going to get a beating from teams who come at us physically and won't give in, but should still be top two and get promoted. But need to work very hard as we have seen, the Championship is so competitive. You can't even blink or it's all over.

Daz - I did think that we would eventually get beaten away. Getting thumped did surprise me [as it was] by Plymouth, who we battered back in August. Defence was poor and I think it's time to figure out our best two centre-backs and stop the rotation. No need to panic. I think it was just a bad away day.

Jonathan - We'll be OK. We'll go back up no problem. We're the best team in this league and we had a blip... no worries. We will top the division.

Andy - We were due a bad result. I think this team will learn from it and come back stronger. BBM will get them back on track.

Richard - We have the best manager and coaches in the league and the best squad in the league. We will come back strongly from this deserved win for Plymouth. Stay calm. Believe. We're on the up.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Isaak Davies is in line to return to action when Cardiff City go to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday but boss Brian Barry-Murphy will again be without 13-goal leading scorer Yousef Salech.

Davies has missed Cardiff's past three games having suffered delayed concussion following an off-the-ball incident at Rotherham United which infuriated the Bluebirds.

But while Wales international Davies is set to come back into contention at Doncaster, Salech's spell on the sidelines continues.

The 24-year-old Dane has not played for a month after suffering a neck injury during Cardiff's draw with Stockport County.

Though Salech returned to training on grass last week, Barry-Murphy says he will not be available as Cardiff take on Grant McCann's Rovers side.

"Isaak is back in full training now so he could be available for sure, but not Yousef," head coach Barry-Murphy said.

Head coach Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City must focus on next Saturday's trip to Doncaster Rovers (15:00 GMT) after their heavy defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

The Bluebirds' lead at the top of League One is down to a point after their 12-game unbeaten run came to an end at Home Park.

Image source, BBC Sport

Cardiff City's unbeaten 2026 came to an end in dramatic style on Saturday, as they were thumped 5-2 away at a resurgent Plymouth Argyle.

Defeat for the Bluebirds ended a run of 12 games unbeaten in League One, and saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to one point after Lincoln City's win at Mansfield.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side still hold an 11-point advantage over Bolton Wanderers in third, though Stockport have a game in hand over Cardiff and are just two points further adrift in fourth.

While Cardiff are still in control of their own destiny with a healthy cushion over the play-off places, the manner of Saturday's defeat at Home Park has left some fans concerned.

But are you concerned? Is this the start of a difficult period for Cardiff? Or is this just a small bump in what has - for the most part - been a smooth ride back to the Championship for the Bluebirds?

Let us know your thoughts here.