These are your Cardiff City headlines on Friday, February 17.
Lamouchi's respect for Ralls
Sabri Lamouchi says he has been impressed by Cardiff new boy Connor Wickham and revealed he has "so much respect" for skipper Joe Ralls after the midfielder was dropped to the bench against Birmingham City.
Ralls has previously been an ever-present for the Bluebirds but the Frenchman decided to switch it up for the trip to St Andrew's, naming his captain among the substitutes.
And it was Ralls' reaction that impressed the manager the most, along with the impact Wickham made when he came on.
READ MORE: Danny Gabbidon questions Neil Warnock appointment and says Cardiff City shouldn't be worried
“He's another option for us," Lamouchi said for the new signing. "He can help offer us a different system. I was impressed with everyone who played and came on.
“I said to my captain Joe Ralls - I have so much respect for him. He's a captain that has always played and he didn't start at Birmingham. He finished the game and fought for us. He fought for us, for the team and for the result.
“I was impressed with the attitude of Callum Robinson, who came on and scored. We are a group. I love to work with this squad. They have a good mentality.
“Probably, we’ve missed a bit of character in the past. But they all showed their character at Birmingham. Because you cannot get that kind of result and clean sheet otherwise.
“We controlled the game. We played a perfect game. We didn't give them anything and Ryan [Allsop] didn't have anything to do.
“They showed me something. We need to confirm that on Friday.”
New signings rated
Cardiff striker Callum Robinson says new signings Sory Kaba and Connor Wickham have given the squad a lift.
Robinson and Kaba have been on the scoresheet in recent games, while Wickham made his debut from the bench in the 2-0 win over Birmingham City on Tuesday night.
Goals will be needed in the fight against relegation and Robinson believes having new faces around the place has injected life into the Bluebirds.
"It's been good," he said. "When new faces come in, it always helps the group. Sometimes it's nice when you get lads who come in who are fresh, wanting to prove to the manager that they're good enough to play.
"Hopefully they can continue doing well and being positive on the pitch. Sory has done well, he got his first goal here which was good, on his first start, and I thought he did well the other night.
"Connor came on with myself and set me up as well. It's been good, and we're going to need everyone to get us over the line.
"The manager has come in and tried to give us some positives and a reality check at the same time, and we needed that."
Warnock's points target
New Huddersfield Town boss Neil Warnock says the 50-point mark is the traditional safety target in the Championship as he looks to steer his new club away from trouble.
The Terriers are right up against it and will be battling with Warnock's former club Cardiff in an effort to beat the drop. The veteran manager was presented to the media on Thursday night and revealed it was always going to be one of two of his former clubs that would tempt him out or retirement.
"We've got to try and win a game first," he said when asked about his points target. "We haven't won yet this year. It's just where does the next win come from?
"But it was the same when I went in at Middlesbrough. It was hard to see where we'd get a win there.
"It's ironic, isn't it? Rotherham, Cardiff...former teams of mine and we want to drop them in.
"We always say 50 points since 3 points for a win was introduced and the last few years it's been 47, 48. I'm never looking at the next few games and trying to set targets. I just want to get as many points as I can as soon as I can. They've thrown some points away the last few weeks. I watched the Blackpool game and I don't know how they didn't win that game but they didn't."
Early team news
Cardiff could welcome Rubin Colwill back into the fray after he missed the last two matches with an ankle injury.
Elsewhere, Ebou Adams remains out following surgery on his knee, while Jamilu Collins is likely out for the season as he continues his recovery from an ACL rupture.
Connor Wickham is in contention for his first start after coming off the bench against Birmingham City.
As for the visitors, Andy Yiadom is suspended for the trip to south Wales after picking up 10 yellow cards. Shane Long also suffered a knock in midweek and is a major doubt for the fixture. Baba Rahman will also face a late fitness test.
Lucas Joao and Mamadou Loum could be welcomed back into the Royals' squad, though.
Ratcliffe joins Ponty
Former Cardiff youngster George Ratcliffe has joined Pontypridd United.
The keeper left Cardiff City Stadium last summer, having spent a previous period with Barry Town United on loan.
"We are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper, George Ratcliffe," an announcement read online.
"@george_r2000 was previously with the U21’s at @CardiffCityFC before making the switch to the Dragons!
"Welcome to Pontypridd United George!"
The 22-year-old said: “I’m delighted to join Pontypridd United and I look forward in supporting the club with their ambitions.”
READ MORE:
