Mid Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Agency

Former Cardiff City defender Danny Gabbidon hopes head coach Brian Barry-Murphy will be given the necessary funds to strengthen his squad ahead of the Bluebirds return to the Championship.

Cardiff secured promotion to the Championship 12 months after they were relegated with a 3-1 win away to Reading.

"I think the manager probably deserves that right in the summer to get a bit of money to strengthen the squad so they're competitive next season," Gabbidon said

"It's going to be a big summer for the club and they've got to continue to get that decision-making right.

"The Championship is a different kettle of fish.

"I think, particularly for the young players, having opportunities to play at League One level has been brilliant for their development.

"But that step up is quite big into the Championship and, for sure, there will probably have to be tweaks to the squad.

"Maybe a little bit more experience coming in.

"You hope that the young players, with a year of experience at this level, can kind of kick on at Championship level and develop further, which I'm sure a lot of them will."

Gabbidon, who had two spells with Cardiff and served briefly as interim manager in 2014, was full of praise for Barry-Murphy.

Barry-Murphy, 47, who previously managed Rochdale as well as a coach at Manchester City's academy and Leicester City first team coach, was appointed last summer following Cardiff's relegation from the Championship.

"He's been brilliant," Gabbidon told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think you look at the difficulties that Cardiff had in the summer, obviously getting relegated and looking to try and find a new manager.

"That hasn't always gone well for the club over the last few seasons, but I think they've been spot on with the appointment.

"He's just taken to the job like a duck to water, really.

"I think you look at the way the team has performed this season, that's probably what has impressed me the most.

"The amount of young players that have been given opportunities, a lot of young players playing at this level for the first time.

"I think the managers have got that balance right of youth and experience in the team.

"They've been really enjoyable to watch, they really have. That's probably been the thing that's impressed me most this season.

"It's a little bit disappointing to be leading the league for maybe so long - obviously Lincoln, you have to give credit to them.

"They've been on a fantastic run and I think that will maybe disappoint the players a little bit.

"But the main aim at the start of the season was to bounce back straight away and get back into the Championship, first time of asking."