Barry-Murphy 'deserves a bit of money' to strengthen Cardiff

[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.