Brian Barry-Murphy has confirmed he will maintain his commitment to youth for Cardiff City’s Vertu Trophy knockout match against AFC Wimbledon at home on Tuesday, December 2, at 19:45 GMT.
Following their recent 3-0 victory over Mansfield, the Bluebirds aim for consecutive home wins.
Barry-Murphy emphasized his intention to field young talent, reminiscent of their earlier success against Arsenal Under-21s in October.
“For many of the players who helped us succeed in that memorable game against Arsenal, it was an unforgettable night,” Barry-Murphy stated. “This will be an opportunity for them to face a more seasoned team and rise to that challenge, aiming to progress further in the competition.”
In the win against Arsenal U21s, five academy graduates made their starting debuts.
“It was fantastic. We had just come off a tough result at Blackpool, and the energy and passion they brought to the stadium that night were invaluable,” he added. “They embodied the qualities we want associated with Cardiff.”
At 47, Barry-Murphy will be glad to have young players Luey Giles and Dakarai Mafico back in the squad after their international duties. However, he is aware of the increased challenge ahead.
“This is a completely different challenge compared to facing the Arsenal U21s,” he remarked. “Wimbledon has enjoyed success moving up from League Two to League One, which will present a new level of difficulty for our young players. It will be fascinating to see how we perform.”