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Brian Barry-Murphy said the moment Rubin Colwill tapped home a third goal in the convincing win over Rotherham United was the realisation that all his and the players' work at Cardiff City this summer paid dividends.
The Bluebirds cruised home against the Millers with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Yousef Salech, Cian Ashford and Colwill. The final goal came through high pressing, forcing Rotherham into a mistake, which then allowed Salech to feed Colwill for the easiest of finishes.
It is further proof, Barry-Murphy said, of the progress being shown under the head coach, who sees his side sit second in the League One table after two wins and a draw in their opening three matches.
"I was really pleased the moment Rubin scored," Barry-Murphy said after the match.
"We've seen him score some spectacular goals, but to score from so close to the goal was really important for us because it was a real team effort.
"We are playing high pressure and we forced them into a mistake really close to goal. So to have Rubin there to finish was probably the moment you saw me so agitated.
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"There are going to be parts of the season where things are going to be different. There were parts of today which were really good. We focused on pressing from the front as well as dealing with as few attacks as possible.
"When the balls came into the box, there were moments where Dylan (Lawlor) and Will (Fish) had to defend the box against Jordan Hugill, a vastly- experienced striker at this level, being backed up by the two full backs."
Some supporters have had their grumblings over the City defence in the opening weeks. Despite conceding only one goal in their first two league matches, Bluebirds fans haven't been wholly convinced.
But a positive display and a clean sheet will go some way to allaying those fears.
Barry-Murphy opted for changes again in the back line, with Lawlor and Fish the centre-back partnership, meaning Calum Chambers dropped to the bench. Dakarai Mafico was also drafted in to make his City debut at left back.
Explaining those selection calls, Barry-Murphy said: "Calum didn't play in the first game, Will didn't play in the second game and Dylan didn't play in the third game. I am just picking what I feel is the best partnership for the game.
"Dak has made his debut after Joel Bagan was in A&E on Thursday night with some chest pains. It's not as bad as it sounds, but he didn't really train yesterday.
"We needed someone else to play left back and Dakarai has been outstanding in pre-season for us."
Mafico had to be taken off after 35 minutes. He endured a tough time, having been booked before making another challenge which dropped him in hot water, forcing City to make the change.
But Barry-Murphy waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old, branding him "elite" in his usual midfield role.
"I just didn't want him to have his debut where he was possibly going to receive a red card," he said.
"I thought his first yellow was harsh, but they had a particularly dangerous attacker on that side and to expose him would be a problem for us, because we were so dominant in the game, I didn't want to risk it.
"He is an exceptional player, but he's never played left back before I came to the club. He is an elite No.6, when you see him play there, it will be clear to you how good he is.
"He was the one we had all through pre-season, so he had to play."
What was also incredibly pleasing was the fans' reaction after Mafico's substitution.
The Canton Stand burst into rapturous applause, demanding the teenager give them an ayatollah. Substitute Callum Robinson and even Barry-Murphy himself embraced the youngster as he made his way to the bench.
"It was really important," he said of the fans' reaction to Mafico's early substitution.
"Not everyone might be aware he is a natural midfield player and he's put himself in a position where he hasn't had loads of experience in the academy.
"He shows courage in everything he does. He is an incredible talent and one the supporters are going to fall in love with once they see him play more.
"There is good support in the dressing room from the senior players who will really support him and make him realise what it means to make your debut in a game like this. Then tomorrow, when we are back in training, we can really push him to fulfil his potential."
The comfortable victory leaves City in second place after just three games played.
City fans were singing, largely ironically, one suspects, 'Straight back up, straight back up, Cardiff City'. The Bluebirds boss said the fans can dream away.
“The supporters are allowed to do whatever they want," Barry-Murphy said of those chants. “The energy since I came to the club has been incredible.
“We played the cup during the week, Swindon scored a goal and the reaction from our supporters was something the players commented on.
“It gave us a lot of energy to go on and win the game.
“They can do whatever they want and dream whatever they want to dream because they deserve it, but our focus is solely on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.”
The Bluebirds cruised home against the Millers with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Yousef Salech, Cian Ashford and Colwill. The final goal came through high pressing, forcing Rotherham into a mistake, which then allowed Salech to feed Colwill for the easiest of finishes.
It is further proof, Barry-Murphy said, of the progress being shown under the head coach, who sees his side sit second in the League One table after two wins and a draw in their opening three matches.
"I was really pleased the moment Rubin scored," Barry-Murphy said after the match.
"We've seen him score some spectacular goals, but to score from so close to the goal was really important for us because it was a real team effort.
"We are playing high pressure and we forced them into a mistake really close to goal. So to have Rubin there to finish was probably the moment you saw me so agitated.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info
"There are going to be parts of the season where things are going to be different. There were parts of today which were really good. We focused on pressing from the front as well as dealing with as few attacks as possible.
"When the balls came into the box, there were moments where Dylan (Lawlor) and Will (Fish) had to defend the box against Jordan Hugill, a vastly- experienced striker at this level, being backed up by the two full backs."
Some supporters have had their grumblings over the City defence in the opening weeks. Despite conceding only one goal in their first two league matches, Bluebirds fans haven't been wholly convinced.
But a positive display and a clean sheet will go some way to allaying those fears.
Barry-Murphy opted for changes again in the back line, with Lawlor and Fish the centre-back partnership, meaning Calum Chambers dropped to the bench. Dakarai Mafico was also drafted in to make his City debut at left back.
Explaining those selection calls, Barry-Murphy said: "Calum didn't play in the first game, Will didn't play in the second game and Dylan didn't play in the third game. I am just picking what I feel is the best partnership for the game.
"Dak has made his debut after Joel Bagan was in A&E on Thursday night with some chest pains. It's not as bad as it sounds, but he didn't really train yesterday.
"We needed someone else to play left back and Dakarai has been outstanding in pre-season for us."
Mafico had to be taken off after 35 minutes. He endured a tough time, having been booked before making another challenge which dropped him in hot water, forcing City to make the change.
But Barry-Murphy waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old, branding him "elite" in his usual midfield role.
"I just didn't want him to have his debut where he was possibly going to receive a red card," he said.
"I thought his first yellow was harsh, but they had a particularly dangerous attacker on that side and to expose him would be a problem for us, because we were so dominant in the game, I didn't want to risk it.
"He is an exceptional player, but he's never played left back before I came to the club. He is an elite No.6, when you see him play there, it will be clear to you how good he is.
"He was the one we had all through pre-season, so he had to play."
What was also incredibly pleasing was the fans' reaction after Mafico's substitution.
The Canton Stand burst into rapturous applause, demanding the teenager give them an ayatollah. Substitute Callum Robinson and even Barry-Murphy himself embraced the youngster as he made his way to the bench.
"It was really important," he said of the fans' reaction to Mafico's early substitution.
"Not everyone might be aware he is a natural midfield player and he's put himself in a position where he hasn't had loads of experience in the academy.
"He shows courage in everything he does. He is an incredible talent and one the supporters are going to fall in love with once they see him play more.
"There is good support in the dressing room from the senior players who will really support him and make him realise what it means to make your debut in a game like this. Then tomorrow, when we are back in training, we can really push him to fulfil his potential."
The comfortable victory leaves City in second place after just three games played.
City fans were singing, largely ironically, one suspects, 'Straight back up, straight back up, Cardiff City'. The Bluebirds boss said the fans can dream away.
“The supporters are allowed to do whatever they want," Barry-Murphy said of those chants. “The energy since I came to the club has been incredible.
“We played the cup during the week, Swindon scored a goal and the reaction from our supporters was something the players commented on.
“It gave us a lot of energy to go on and win the game.
“They can do whatever they want and dream whatever they want to dream because they deserve it, but our focus is solely on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.”
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