'Rollercoaster' start adds to Osho's Cardiff motivation

"Orient was probably the worst game I've played, maybe, ever."

Cardiff City, defender Gabriel Osho has admitted adjusting to life in the Welsh capital has not been the "smooth transition" he would have hoped for.

Having joined from French Ligue 1 side Auxerre for an undisclosed fee in August 2025, the 27-year-old conceded a penalty in his first start against Bradford on 20 September.

What he personally describes as "tough games" followed against Leyton Orient and Reading.

"I've watched my performances back from those games a hundred times," said Osho.

"Maybe it was a bit in my head and when it's in your head then it starts to affect your performance even more."

The Nigeria international admits it was a far from ideal introduction to a new club.

"When you go into a new place, you really need to hit the ground running - to earn respect from your teammates, the fans and the coaches," he explained.

"When you haven't done that, and you're making mistakes you know you shouldn't be making, it's tough to settle in."

Subbed at half-time after a string of mistakes against former club Reading in mid October, Osho did not feature again in the league until New Year's Day.

His attempts to get back in contention were further hindered by a toe dislocated in an EFL Trophy game against Wimbledon which sidelined him for three weeks in December.

Osho - who has made only eight League One appearances for Cardiff so far - admits things can quickly "snowball" but feels he has been able to "stay on the rollercoaster" through those difficult moments.

"As long as you don't give up," he said after completing back-to-back 90 minutes in Cardiff's past two games.

"You hope the real you and your actual ability will shine through eventually."

Cardiff City supporters have been given a glimpse of the "real" Osho in the recent win at Bradford where the defender made 11 defensive clearances, second only to centre-back partner Callum Chambers, while winning all of his ground duels.

"One notably good game from my personal standards is the Bradford game," added the defender.

"But I still have to work and keep motivated to show everyone what I can do."

Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy acknowledges Osho's "initial period at Cardiff has been very difficult", while accepting the twice-capped Nigeria international may have been introduced too quickly.

"I rushed him a bit," the head coach admitted.

"Football's not always straightforward and it's unpredictable. The games didn't go how he wanted, so he had to go back to basics and really work at every part of his game - his position, how he defends the box, how he blocks."

Barry-Murphy is seeing that approach pay dividends for Osho.

"Once he gets real rhythm in training and a real understanding that he's done the work, the game normally follows," he added.

"He's worked so hard to put himself back in a position where he can perform like he has done in the past games."

Osho played 21 times in all competitions for Auxerre having joined the top-flight French team when his Luton contract expired in July 2024.

Returning to the EFL with Cardiff 13 months later he says he would not have joined "any other team in League One".

Dropping from Ligue 1 to England's third tier may be perceived as a step down - but Osho insists it was still a challenge.

"The intensity is really good," he said.

"When I came here it was intense especially the training sessions. It's a bit more of a chess game, a bit slower in France."

This intensity has driven competition, particularly in central defence where Dylan Lawlor, Callum Chambers, Will Fish and Osho are all vying to start.

"I don't think I've been in a team where there is so much competition for one position," Osho added.

"It keeps everyone hungry and fresh. You know you have to perform 100% or the manager won't pick you. It makes training really competitive."

A major attraction to Cardiff was the opportunity to work again with Barry Murphy, having played under the former Manchester City academy coach during a 22-match loan spell at Rochdale.

"It's like he's a coach but also a friend," Osho explained.

The Irishman was also influential in helping Osho settle into life in south Wales, having himself only joined the club last summer.

"We had honest conversations about what he thought and how I was feeling. They were really helpful," the defender added.

For his part Barry-Murphy remains unwavering in his belief in Osho.

"I signed him because he has something completely different," the Cardiff boss said.

"He defends the goal for his life that's why we brought him to the club."

Osho also brings experience of promotion, having helped Luton reach the Premier League in 2023.

While expectations differ, he sees parallels in Barry-Murphy's promotion-chasing Bluebirds.

"At Luton we weren't favourites, it was an underdog mentality," said Osho.

"Here the pressure's on to win every week, but the vibe and energy in the changing room is similar."

For Osho, working with Barry-Murphy represents a long term "project" at a club that can "hopefully climb the divisions".

"When I look from the outside, this is a Premier League club," he added.

"The stadium, the fan base, this is a really big team."

And now Osho is motivated to help the Welsh side get back to where he, and many others, believe it belongs.