Perry Ng says he is glad League One leaders Cardiff City no longer use the "fightball" style of play that saw them relegated from the Championship.

The Bluebirds are playing in the third tier of English football for the first time in 22 years this season, but they have made an excellent start as they sit top of the table after 17 games.

Performances have been as impressive as results under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, who has introduced an adventurous, attack-minded brand of football which is at odds with the direct, often turgid approaches favoured by some of his predecessors.

Barry-Murphy has also placed his faith in Cardiff's young players, who have occasionally struggled against League One's more physically imposing teams.

They will face one such side on Tuesday when they visit third-place Stevenage, but Ng is backing his younger team-mates to stand up to the challenge.

"It's massive. They'll be different to today's game [Saturday's 3-2 win over Huddersfield Town]. I think they're a lot more direct, a lot more physical," said the right-back.

"It'll be a big test but we'll go there, play the way we play, put a lot of pressure on them and see how they [Stevenage] cope.

"The way they [Cardiff youngsters] have coped with us so far has been brilliant, and I think it helps that Brian is unbelievable and he calms everyone down so we don't get involved really in too much 'fightball' like we used to.

"I think with Brian it helps them a lot and we don't really need to guide them that much because you know they're flying."

Ng joined Cardiff from Crewe Alexandra in 2021 and had to endure a few lean seasons before they were relegated from the Championship earlier this year.

But since Barry-Murphy arrived in the summer, the 29-year-old is enjoying his time in south Wales more than ever.

"It's been a tough couple of years," Ng added. "I came from a club [Crewe] who played this style so I just love every second of it at the minute.

"It's a joy to have Brian here and the way we play now, I think everyone's enjoying it, it's exciting.

"We may concede a few because we're open but as long as we try and do the right things and give everything on the pitch I think no-one can blame us. It's brilliant."