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Glen Williams

Cardiff City news as rival told Robinson he'd miss penalty and Lamouchi sets wins target to survive

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Tuesday, February 7.

Robinson penalty mind games revealed

Hull City full-back Cyrus Christie told Callum Robinson he was "going to miss" before the Bluebirds striker's failed spot-kick and said his Tigers team-mates need to show more "s**thousery" going forward.

Robinson's penalty was saved by Matt Ingram when the score was at 0-0 and, of course, Hull went on to win the game - so the miss proved decisive.

READ MORE: The Cardiff City team that needs to be chosen for Championship run-in with new captain as crisis looms

And Christie, formerly of Swansea City, of course, believes his mind game before the shot was saved played a part in Cardiff ultimately losing the game.

"I was just trying to waste some time to be honest," Christie told HullLive. "To get in Callum's head a bit, sometimes, the longer they stand there it gets a bit nerve-wracking.

"I said to Callum that 'you're going to miss, do us a favour'. I just had a feeling.

"Matty came up clutch and made the save and we grew in confidence from there. From half-time, we probably should have been up but we fought - each and every one of us put in a performance.

"As a team, we need to do better in terms of that. Whether you call it the s**thousery, we don't do it enough and we should do it more."

Lamouchi: We must win five or six games to stay up

Sabri Lamouchi believes Cardiff have to win "five or six" of their last 16 games in order to avoid relegation.

Easier said than done, of course, given they haven't won a football match since November 5, but it's clear the Frenchman has a points target in mind that he wants to get to sooner rather than later.

"Five or six," he said when asked how many games they need to win in their final 16 to avoid relegation.

"But before we win, we need to score. We need to score and play better. If we play better and score then maybe you get confidence. If you get confidence then maybe you get a chance to win.

"Maybe the confidence will then be back and then we will get out of this situation. We have to."

Cardiff weighing up move for free agent

Cardiff City are deciding whether to offer free agent striker Connor Wickham a contract with the club, WalesOnline has learned.

Wickham, 29, left League One side Forest Green Rovers last month after his short-term deal came to an end. The striker had interest from a number of teams last summer and even had a trial at Reading before joining the Gloucestershire-based side.

Wickham was keen to get games under his belt after years of being ravaged by injury hell. In his 20 games in all competitions for Forest Green this term, he scored nine goals. Now he is understood to be looking for a new challenge.

It is understood first-team coach Dean Whitehead helped to bring the former Premier League striker into the building before Sabri Lamouchi was appointed Bluebirds manager.

The player underwent rehabilitation with the Cardiff physios with a view to training with the Bluebirds, however that now appears unlikely as the club would be liable for any potential injuries caused should he suffer any while training with the team.

The centre-forward's injury record is clearly a concern for Cardiff, with a short-term contract likely to be the only way this deal gets over the line. He has played more than 20 league games in a single season only once since the 2013/14 campaign.

However, it all hinges on Lamouchi's assessment of the player. Cardiff are desperate for extra firepower in the squad and managed to bring in only one striker on deadline day in the form of Midtjylland front-man Sory Kaba.

Stack: Lamouchi wanted to make changes

Graham Stack has spoken about his Cardiff City exit and revealed new boss Sabri Lamouchi made the decision to shake up the backroom staff.

We learned at Cardiff's game with Luton Town last week that Stack had departed the club, with Lamouchi unable to say too much on the matter, other than he was seeking a permanent replacement.

And on Twitter, Stack wrote: "I have recently left my coaching role as 1st team goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City Football Club. The newly appointed manager wanted to make changes and unfortunately has made plans to restructure his coaching staff.

"I am excited and look forward to what the future holds."

He went on to add: "My time at Cardiff has come to an end. I'd like to personally thank thank the club for this opportunity to work at such a fantastic football club.

"I greatly appreciate the efforts and support given to me during my time at the club and I leave with fond memories. I have met some wonderful people on this journey, in particular the coaching staff, training ground staff and playing squad.

"I want to extend my thanks to all stadium staff and supporters for making my time at the club so enjoyable and wish everyone connected to the club the very best for the future."

Have your say on Cardiff City's transfer window

Danny Cowley: Cardiff must take Robinson off penalties

Former Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley believes Cardiff must now take Callum Robinson off penalty duties.

After the miss at Hull City on Saturday, coupled with the costly miss against Huddersfield Town earlier in the season, Robinson's penalty woes have cost the Bluebirds vital points.

And, on ITV's EFL highlights show, Cowley was asked whether the Bluebirds need a change-up in penalty takers, to which he responded: "I think so. Callum Robinson missed one earlier in the season against Huddersfield and both have proved to be costly.

"And particularly for a Cardiff team that are so short of goals - to miss chances like that is really tough for them. They are in a tough moment and looking behind them now."

Cowley was also asked whether he thought Sabri Lamouchi's appointment was a good one, to which is responded: "I think so. He is someone we managed against when we were at Huddersfield and he was at Nottingham Forest.

"I think he has a clear way of playing; he will get good distances against the ball, he will sit off teams, invite them on, look to turn them over and counter-attack through them.

"It will take some time to get his methods across, but they are short of goals at the top end, so I worry for Cardiff."

Young Kav wants to impact south Wales like Bluebirds legend dad

Newport County's new recruit Calum Kavanagh says if he does half of what his Bluebirds legend dad Graham did in south Wales then he would be "delighted".

The 19-year-old forward joined the League Two club on loan last week and scored on debut in the Exiles' 2-1 in over Swindon Town on Saturday.

Kavanagh said he had other options, but chose Newport after Kav Snr advised him to make the trip to south Wales.

“It's brilliant because he has taught me a lot about the game,” Calum said of his dad to the South Wales Argus. “Football is not always nice and we have the harsh conversations then he will tell me when I've done well.

“It's good because he has been through these experiences and knows what type of ups and downs you go through. He's quite familiar around here and loved his time at Cardiff - if I could do half of what he did there then I'd be delighted.

“I was on loan at Harrogate last year and for whatever reason for the first few games I didn’t get going. I have come here hungry, wanting to make an impact straight away. Luckily enough I've managed to do that.

“I feel that my threats are going in behind with my pace and my movement, whether that creates chances for me or others.”

READ NEXT

'It's my dream!' Sory Kaba's first Cardiff City interview as he dismisses fitness doubts

Cardiff City are right to panic, the scenarios that come with relegation to League One are frightening

Cardiff City notes: 'Shut up and work', a shake-up needed in pecking order and why Rubin Colwill was left out at Hull City

Cardiff City transfer news as Blackburn Rovers want Bluebirds star for free and Sory Kaba will only get better

Sabri Lamouchi tells Cardiff City it's time to panic and admits they're in 's**t position'

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