Cardiff City

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City are one of only one four teams throughout the EFL still waiting to register a first league victory of 2026-27.

Two of the other three – Burnley and Doncaster Rovers – are bottom of their respective divisions.

The other winless club, MK Dons, are 20th in League One having drawn five of their opening six league games.

Cardiff have four draws from seven outings, a return which leaves them 21st in the Championship and only outside the bottom three on goal difference.

The Bluebirds have a final chance to register a maiden victory before the season's first international break when Charlton Athletic come to Wales this Saturday.

A win would be timely, especially as there will be three weeks to wait for Cardiff's next game thanks to the newly elongated international window.

Yet a typically calm Brian Barry-Murphy has brushed off the suggestion that there is pressure to deliver a result, insisting the "only focus" for his players and staff is on trying to find a way past Charlton.

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"The players gave it absolutely everything [Bolton] and it will be the same next weekend," the Cardiff head coach said.

Cardiff are unbeaten on their own ground in the league this season, where they have come behind on three occasions to secure three straight draws.

Having escaped with a point against Wrexham thanks to Rubin Colwill's last-gasp leveller on the opening weekend, Cardiff have come away from draws against Sheffield United and Stoke City believing they ought to have won.

Now the challenge for Barry-Murphy's players is to overcome a Charlton side who have not won in four matches but have lost only once in the league this season.

Nathan Jones' (pictured above) sixth-placed team have not scored many goals – Lincoln are the only club in the division with a lower tally – but have not conceded many either.

"We go back to our stadium where we have performed exceptionally well," Barry-Murphy added.

"If we play to the same level we have in recent games – not all the games because we weren't at the level we wanted to be at QPR and Portsmouth – then we will [start to] win for sure."

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Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Brian Barry-Murphy says Rubin Colwill is unlikely to be fit for Cardiff City's Championship meeting with Charlton Athletic this Saturday but says the Bluebirds' injury troubles will ease soon.

Colwill has missed Cardiff's past two games with an ankle issue which also means he is doubtful for Wales' four upcoming Nations League games.

But while Barry-Murphy says Colwill's ankle is "not right", the Bluebirds boss says Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish are both closing in on returns after significant lay-offs.

"We will see how Rubin is this week, but it's more likely that he will be back during the international break," Barry-Murphy said.

"On the horizon, Dylan Lawlor is going to be back, Rubin Colwill is going to be back, Will Fish is back fit, Calum Chambers [will be] slightly longer.

"Once we get those players back fit, we will be in a much stronger position."

Cardiff go in search of a first league win of the season when they host Nathan Jones' Charlton, who are sixth in the early league table having lost only one of their seven second-tier games so far.

Barry-Murphy's team were beaten in dispiriting fashion at Bolton last weekend despite controlling much of the contest, meaning they are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference having failed to win a league fixture this season.

Despite Cardiff's struggles, Barry-Murphy has indicated there is little prospect of the club trying to strengthen their squad by signing a free agent.

"Our focus is on the players who are here," he added.

"Working with them to improve them and give them the belief and the backing, that is the most important thing - and is something that has not always been associated with Cardiff City."

Wales kick off their new Nations League campaign in Portugal on 24 September before taking on Denmark in Odense three days later.

They then host Norway on 1 October and the Danes on 4 October.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Seven games into Cardiff City's return to the Championship and Brian Barry-Murphy's side are still waiting for their first win.

Saturday's last-gasp defeat at Bolton Wanderers means the Bluebirds have four points to their name going into this weekend's visit of Nathan Jones' Charlton Athletic, the final fixture before the international break.

Is that a cause for concern? Or does the number of chances being created suggest it won't be long before Cardiff start racking up the wins on their return to the second tier?

Boss Barry-Murphy says he's confident - but how worried are you?

You can have your say by sending us your views here and we will publish a selection.

Bluebirds boss Barry-Murphy reflects as Bolton snatch all three points late on against winless Cardiff.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Boss Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City are "starving" for their first Championship win as they prepare to face fellow promoted side Bolton Wanderers.

The Bluebirds are without a victory after six league matches but Barry-Murphy has no interest in discussing relegation fears so early in the season.

"We play for this club in front of our supporters. We have to produce enough end product and enough goalmouth action to give us a chance to score goals and win," the Cardiff head coach said.

"That's our sole focus. We're not complacent with anything we've done. Far from it.

" We're starving to produce a performance that allows us to win and win quickly."

Cardiff will aim to avoid a third successive defeat on the road as they take on Bolton on Saturday.

The Bluebirds' past two home games have been draws against Sheffield United and Stoke City.

Cardiff registered more than 60 shots across those two matches and enjoyed almost 70% possession.

Those numbers have reinforced Barry-Murphy's belief that his side are moving in the right direction.

"Certain parts of the performance are very satisfying and there are things we want to see all the time that have been very present," he said.

"The main focus is on the parts of the game we need to improve because if we do that quickly, it will help us achieve our objective, which is to win."

Bolton are also looking to address a poor run having lost four consecutive league matches.

But Barry-Murphy believes Steve Schumacher's side have developed since the clubs met in League One last season, when Cardiff won at home but lost 1-0 away after a late Amario Cozier-Duberry goal.

"They've evolved since last season and added quite a few players during the transfer window," he said.

"We understand how good they are and how difficult it was to beat them when we conceded a last-minute winner in their stadium. It's a game we're relishing."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Midfielder Alex Robertson has praised Cardiff City's coaching staff for helping him settle in a deeper role.

The Australia international, who made 38 appearances last season, has been asked to play further back by boss Brian Barry-Murphy and is enjoying his new responsibilities.

"I'm just learning every day. I've got a great coach and staff to learn and develop from," Robertson said.

"I keep trying to play as many games as I can, and as many minutes as I can. I feel in a good place and I quite enjoy playing deep.

"'I get a bit more of the ball, but as long as I'm playing I don't really mind."

The versatile midfielder has impressed in his new role to earn praise from Barry-Murphy.

"I'm very pleased with him, his progress has been outstanding," said the head coach.

"Since Ryan Wintle left, the focus has been on Alex as a very creative player who has helped us so much going forward.

"We are just making him really aware of the defensive side of the game so that he can really help make us more secure.

"We're a very attacking team but we also have to be strong defensively."

The Bluebirds have struggled so far this season, drawing four and losing two of their opening six Championship games since returning to the second tier.

"There are quite a few boys that hadn't played in the Championship until this season," said Robertson ahead of Saturday's trip to play Bolton Wanderers.

"It's going to take a bit of time to adapt and the way we play is obviously special. It's different to most teams.

"We need to keep trying to adapt to the league and the differences from last season, but we're coming good and hopefully we can get over the line and just keep pushing on."

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Brian Barry-Murphy says Joel Colwill can score more goals for Cardiff after finding the net during his first Championship start.

The 21-year-old's header ensured Cardiff avoided three consecutive defeats as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Stoke City.

Colwill, who scored seven goals last season, was central to Cardiff's improvement after the break, and could have snatched a winner had it not been for the post.

"It was a great finish and very important for us - he carries a big goal threat," said Barry-Murphy.

"You saw he got close to another goal. His movement in the box in the second half, particularly, was very good."

And Barry-Murphy said moving Colwill higher up the pitch after the break was key to Cardiff's improvement.

"Joel played a little bit too deep in the first half, but in the second half he was very good, very close to Yousef [Salech]," he added.

"A lot of our best moments in the box, he was on the premises, which is a big part of his role for the team."

Cardiff were without Joel's older brother Rubin Colwill against Stoke, though Barry-Murphy is hopeful the influential midfielder will not be sidelined for long.

"Rubin's ankle wasn't OK yesterday. He didn't train," said the Irish coach.

"There was talk of putting him on the bench, but I wasn't sure he would be fully fit if he was to come on.

"That was also the case on Saturday, and I didn't want to risk it because of what he's been through with the ankle."

Barry-Murphy is hopeful the elder Colwill can be available for Saturday's trip to Bolton as the Bluebirds await their first Championship win of the campaign.

We asked for your views after Cardiff City came from behind to draw with Stoke City on Tuesday.

Brian Barry-Murphy's team hit the woodwork three times as their winless start to the new Championship campaign stretched to six matches.

Here are some of your opinions:

Greg: Cardiff definitely the best team on the night. [Nathan] Trott should have stopped their goal. Lack of striker options causing City problems with finishing.

Barry: Great football but lack the killer punch. Failure to secure another forward will haunt them until January. Defence let silly goals in, and I am always concerned when our defence is pressurised.

Paul: Great second half - someone is going to have beating. Stoke didn't have a look-in second half. They wouldn't have scored in a month of Sundays if it wasn't for our error.

Mike: An OK performance, but when are we going to take our chances?

Mostyn: So far this season, we have been the best team in a majority of the games. Keep plugging away boys; our luck will change.

Mike: Unfortunately, City don't have a player that can score goals. Until they get a striker that can score goals, they will struggle.

Roger: Overall, fairly pathetic. Blunt attack. A decent centre-forward would have scored a hat-trick. Naive hierarchy responsible for not strengthening the team. Will be lucky to avoid relegation. Playing like Manchester City but without any attacking flair or competence.

Luke Hemmings
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy appeared rejuvenated after his side's second-half display in their 1-1 draw against Stoke.

The Bluebirds looked more like themselves after the break, creating a host of chances and hitting the woodwork three times, but could not find a winner.

Despite the promise, the Bluebirds are therefore still searching for their first Championship win of the season.

Yet Barry-Murphy was keen to focus on the positives from a second consecutive home display that produced over 25 attempts on goal.

"To bounce back in terms of performance, my admiration for the players is very obvious because of how much they put into the game," he said.

"I like the mentality of the team, especially when we're behind. In the second half, we went for it, and it was a good feeling to watch the team play in that way.

"Our job is to try and give them [Cardiff supporters] the performances and victories they want as soon as possible."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

He added: "The players are in a great place, really focused, really together, and the dressing room is a very tight place where there's a great sense of unity."

"We keep getting into positions, we train a lot on finishing actions, and the goals will be inevitable.

"Tonight Salech looked really dangerous. As long as he keeps getting into positions close enough to goal, then the goals will come."

While pleased with much of Cardiff's attacking play, Barry-Murphy admitted the opening goal remained a source of frustration.

"The goal we conceded is actually disappointing and felt pretty easy from our point of view," he said.

"We didn't plan on giving away a goal of that nature, so we have to tidy up."

Cardiff visit fellow promoted side Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 12 September (12:30 BST).

Stoke City are hoping to make it three successive Championship wins when they visit Cardiff City on Tuesday evening (19:45 BST).

The Bluebirds are seeking a first home win since returning to the second tier this season.

• Cardiff lost their last Championship game against Stoke City 1-0 in April 2025, but have not lost successive league games to the Potters since February 2008.

• Stoke are looking to win back-to-back away league games against Cardiff City for only the second time, after doing so in October 1999.

• Cardiff have drawn both of their home league games this season; only in 1977-78, 1990-91, 1999-00, and 2000-01 have they started a league campaign with draws in their first three home matches.

• Stoke have lost each of their past nine away league outings, their longest run in the Football League since losing 10 in a row in September 1952.

• Stoke are winless in nine away league games against newly-promoted opponents (D3 L6) since a 5-1 win at Sunderland in March 2023.