Boss wants winless Cardiff to be 'more ruthless'

Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff City need to be more ruthless, while remaining relaxed about their winless return to the Championship.

The Bluebirds are yet to register a victory since promotion back to this level as their 1-1 draw with Stoke City made it four draws and two defeats from their opening six games.

They appeared to be heading for the bottom of the table after conceding sloppily against the Potters, before rallying via Joel Colwill's equaliser.

And, with the hosts unable convert a second despite 27 attempts on goal and 70% possession, their head coach says his side need to find a greater sharpness.

"We're having to come back in all the games at the moment and that's a challenge in itself," said Barry-Murphy, whose side had to come from behind to earn draws in three games so far.

"It's very early days and we have to remain calm."

Barry-Murphy believes their approach will pay dividends as the campaign progresses.

"We're aware we haven't won this season. We're aware in many of the games we've played really well, created chances and haven't taken them," he said.

"So we just have to keep improving and the goals will come if we keep getting in the same situations and just be a bit more ruthless in terms of how we don't give the opponents a head start."

Barry-Murphy was pleased with an improvement in performance levels after poor outings at QPR and Portsmouth resulted in back-to-back defeats.

He added: "There could be a sense of here we go again, we're behind and we haven't won.

"But those things didn't look evident. We have quite a few injuries so we'll get stronger as the season goes on - and if we continue to play the way we're playing and improve like I expect us to we'll have a great season."

Cardiff's injuries – that include Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill nursing an ankle problem – saw Cardiff name three teenagers on the bench, including 15-year-old Noah Anyadike.

There was a start, however, for Krystian Bielik just days after it was confirmed police are investigating an incident between the Cardiff defender and home supporters during Saturday's defeat at Fratton Park.

Bielik was involved in a physical altercation with a fan as he went to retrieve a ball from the crowd late in the second half.

Barry-Murphy claimed afterwards that Bielik "got slapped in the face" while the Football Association is reviewing the referee's report.

Asked about the 28-year-old's mindset to start against Stoke, Barry-Murphy said: "I think he trained really well. It was obviously a quick turnaround from Saturday's game, but he felt ready to play and did a great job."