Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy has insisted the club are still looking to strengthen in “all areas” of the squad as he explained why their transfer business has been slower than expected.
The Bluebirds began their return to the Championship with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Wrexham on Monday night, Rubin Colwill's stunning stoppage-time free-kick rescuing a point after former Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore had put the visitors ahead.
Recruitment remains on the agenda
Cardiff have made just one new signing from outside the club this summer, with Jack Moylan arriving from Lincoln City on a four-year deal. Goalkeeper Nathan Trott has also returned on a permanent basis after spending last season on loan, while Liverpool left-back Calum Scanlon has come back to the capital for another temporary spell.
Moylan impressed on his league debut against Wrexham, but Barry-Murphy has made no secret of the fact that he wants further additions before the transfer window closes.
Asked for an update after Monday night's game, the Cardiff boss was typically guarded, but confirmed recruitment remains firmly on the agenda.
“I think it's obvious we're looking to add to the squad,” Barry-Murphy said. “We are quite stretched at the moment in terms of that position. We're so stretched because the players are all from the same area of the team — Dylan (Lawlor), Will Fish, Callum Chambers. That doesn't change our recruitment strategy, but it means that we probably look more stretched than we probably are.”
Defensive injury crisis
The defensive situation has been complicated by injuries. Fish is facing a lengthy absence after surgery, while Dylan Lawlor and Chambers are also unavailable, leaving Cardiff short of options at the back.
But Barry-Murphy stressed the club are not simply going to react to those setbacks by rushing into the market.
“I think we need to improve all areas of the team still, so I think that's clear,” he said. “I'm not sure on Dylan's timescale. It's not straightforward because he's come back and been close and not quite got back onto the pitch, so it's quite difficult to predict on him. Will Fish is more straightforward, as you said. And Callum Chambers is not clear either. He's not been training with us and has come back onto the pitch and not been able to get close to being involved. So, it's quite complicated with those things.”
No knee-jerk reactions
Asked whether Cardiff could target more physical players following some difficulties against Swindon Town in the Carabao Cup and Wrexham's aerial threat, Barry-Murphy said the focus was simply on improving the squad.
“We're not a huge team, so that's obvious,” he said. “We have to defend in a different way and play in a different way. But we're happy with the team and just trying to improve it, generally.”
The manager was also asked to elaborate on his recent admission that he can sometimes be “slow” when it comes to transfers.
Barry-Murphy explained that Cardiff's recruitment process is deliberately cautious because he does not want the club to make short-term decisions that could prove costly further down the line.
“If we have certain profile parameters in mind that we want to bring somebody in and they don't become available because of whatever reason, then I'm not keen to have a knee-jerk reaction and just bring somebody in who may be good for a couple of days or a week or two, but for the rest of the season is not who we would want,” he said. “I think we have to be very clear on who we're bringing into the club, on behalf of the supporters who pay so much money and the owner who pays so much money, that it is somebody who's going to improve the club, both now and in the long term, but be value for investment.”
Pressed on whether that meant Cardiff would rather wait for the right player than sign someone simply for the sake of it, he replied: “Exactly.”
No need to copy Wrexham's model
Barry-Murphy also rejected the idea that Cardiff necessarily need to copy Wrexham's recruitment model by targeting players with extensive Championship experience.
“They have a very good team of really good players,” he said. “We knew that and we saw that quality throughout the course of the game. We're very pleased with our own players and we try and bring in the best players we can for this club. But we brought Jack Moylan in, who has zero Championship experience, but he's the right player for us at our club at this time and we'll continue to try and do the best thing for the club and the supporters.”
The Cardiff boss reiterated the club are not seeking a huge influx of players, but believes additions are still required.
“We don't need loads of numbers, but we need to improve the squad,” he said. “It's just difficult for us at the moment because all of our injured players are coming from the defensive area.”
