Craig Mackail Smith

[AJ 1,167]

If he''s not going to cost a bomb, not a decent and reliable replacement to bring in. International experience, wouldn''t say he''s better than Vaughan but has been scoring goals across his career and has a better medical record.

I still think sending Vaughan out on loan was silly, but this would be an ideal replacement. Not going to pretend I wasn''t hoping for better, but there''s always the loan market..

[BroadstairsR 1,674]

[quote user="Row D Seat 7"]Don''t think I know better, it''s just called having an opinion. I think we will get relegated because our squad isn''t good enough. Not a fact. Just what I think. Would be delighted to be proved wrong but don''t think I will be.[/quote]

 

Ironically D7, I am beginning to think that our best chance of staying up now lies with the defenders that CH has brought in, because they have been good acqisitions IMO (I include Tettey in this analysis.) Last season we attacked our way to safety. This season I hope we defend our way to it.

[priceyrice 123]

Didn''t we sell Crofts to brighton, if that was the case why not go after CMS then, surely we could have received a better offer??

I expect other potential signings fell through and we are panicking slightly, however i still think CMS will do a job and is better than Martin while also showing some desire to play for the club, unlike Morro.

[Indy_Bones 425]

Here''s a direct quote from the Brighton forum:[quote] Originally Posted by SIMMO SAYS

Talksport GINGER Durham says the fans wont be happy if we sell CMS?[quote]Well, the ladies and "gays" amongst us may not be? lol

I would be very happy to get him off our payroll and some of our

investment back. I have great faith in Gus improving our strike force

with the money.[/quote][/quote]So they value him that highly do they...

[priceyrice 123]

[quote user="Indy_Bones"]Here''s a direct quote from the Brighton forum:[quote] Originally Posted by SIMMO SAYS

Talksport GINGER Durham says the fans wont be happy if we sell CMS?[quote]Well, the ladies and "gays" amongst us may not be? lol

I would be very happy to get him off our payroll and some of our

investment back. I have great faith in Gus improving our strike force

with the money.[/quote][/quote]So they value him that highly do they...[/quote]

haha your a joke Indy- anyone can go on a forum and pull a quote off to fit their argument, because every team has some fools for fans. 

I read the link Wiz posted and there are plenty of positive comments on the guy, he was only there for a season too, may not have settled straight away. I expect with the right coaching and if used to his strenghts CMS will score double figures this season for us

[Indy_Bones 425]

[quote user="priceyrice"]haha your a joke Indy- anyone can go on a forum and pull a quote off to fit their argument, because every team has some fools for fans. 

I read the link Wiz posted and there are plenty of positive comments on the guy, he was only there for a season too, may not have settled straight away. I expect with the right coaching and if used to his strenghts CMS will score double figures this season for us[/quote]Thanks for the insult - appreciated...Of course I can pull a quote off to fit my argument, the point being that at least some fans need to have that view for me to be able to do that, and there''s plenty of choice tbh.''Headless Chicken who trips over the ball or runs it into touch'' was another one I particularly liked.Whether or not I agree with these views in some ways is irrelevant as it''s scary that we''re being linked with a player that draws these sorts of comments.Even the Chris Martin bashers don''t go much further than stating he''s not good enough for this level, I haven''t seen many posts or a similar nature to the quotes from the Brighton forum about CMS in relation to Martin which again should be a worry.If we don''t slate our 4/5th choice striker as much as they''re doing their first choice option then surely you have to have concerns - especially in combination with his scoring record at CCC level?

[priceyrice 123]

[quote user="Indy_Bones"][quote user="priceyrice"]haha your a joke Indy- anyone can go on a forum and pull a quote off to fit their argument, because every team has some fools for fans. 

I read the link Wiz posted and there are plenty of positive comments on the guy, he was only there for a season too, may not have settled straight away. I expect with the right coaching and if used to his strenghts CMS will score double figures this season for us[/quote]Thanks for the insult - appreciated...Of course I can pull a quote off to fit my argument, the point being that at least some fans need to have that view for me to be able to do that, and there''s plenty of choice tbh.''Headless Chicken who trips over the ball or runs it into touch'' was another one I particularly liked.Whether or not I agree with these views in some ways is irrelevant as it''s scary that we''re being linked with a player that draws these sorts of comments.Even the Chris Martin bashers don''t go much further than stating he''s not good enough for this level, I haven''t seen many posts or a similar nature to the quotes from the Brighton forum about CMS in relation to Martin which again should be a worry.If we don''t slate our 4/5th choice striker as much as they''re doing their first choice option then surely you have to have concerns - especially in combination with his scoring record at CCC level?

[/quote]

Sorry, it''s just frustrating to read so many negative posts before a player joins - i have no issue with player bashing, if it''s deserved.

CMS has much more to his game than Martin and Morrison for that fact. He has pace, energy to burn, is a good size and can finish. He can hold the ball up well and his link up play is quite good, would be curious to see some assist stats from his previous 2/3 seasons.

Now he didn''t set the world alight at Brighton and honestly i saw much less of him last season than i did the previous system, so i cannot comment really on his form from last season, but he was a stand out player in league 1, similar to Holt and Pilkington, so i expect him to make the step up. I agree that Martin had a fairly successful season in league 1, but not to the same level as CMS, while Martin was also playing in a much stronger squad

[paul moy 235]

 

Someone else seems to agree with my opinion :

 

 

Originally Posted by TSB

Eman Makolondi ‏@EmanGhanaMan
Craig Mackail-Smith set to join Norwich after having there bid accepted, just personal terms left #Norwich #Brighton #Norwich #BHAFC #NCFC

Sigh. I''ll miss his headless runs with the ball, either tripping over it or running straight into touch. The cause of much mirth amongst our group in the West Upper.

[Chelmsford Canary 0]

I don''t see what the problem is...he scores goals and definately hungry for success.

Read the comment about why we let Vaughan go...WTF he was a crock last year, had a couple of goals in pre-season and people are creaming over him as if the next Messi.

I''d rather get someone in who''s going to be fit 95% of season and still get in with some goals.

[Indy_Bones 425]

[quote user="priceyrice"]Now he didn''t set the world alight at Brighton and honestly i saw much less of him last season than i did the previous system, so i cannot comment really on his form from last season, but he was a stand out player in league 1, similar to Holt and Pilkington, so i expect him to make the step up.[/quote]But he''s already shown difficulty in making the step up based on the two years he''s played in the CCC.Holt managed more goals in the 10/11 season than CMS has managed in 2 seasons and twice as many games.As you point out, Chris Martin scored goals in L1, yet most fans don''t think he''s prem standard, but a decent CCC player, I see CMS in a similar manner, the difference is that we already own CM rather than are looking to pay good money for him and expecting him to perform well in the top flight when called upon.I don''t see CMS as an improvement on what we already have, and when many Brighton fans aren''t overly worried about his departure that has to say something about the guy''s ability level, and not in a good way...

[supercol 0]

"Sigh. I''ll miss his headless runs with the ball, either tripping over it or running straight into touch. The cause of much mirth amongst our group in the West Upper. "

 Hmmm ... typical reaction when a player leaves, take it with a pinch of salt, let''s not crucify the lad, give him a chance for God''s sake.. We could sign Messi and the usual suspects on here would complain '''' Oooo he''s not proven in Prem".. "Missed a pen against Chelsea" etc. etc. JESUS !!

 

 

[Indy_Bones 425]

[quote user="Chelmsford Canary"]I''d rather get someone in who''s going to be fit 95% of season and still get in with some goals.[/quote]I''d rather sign someone better than what we have, who''s going to be fit for the season and have a strong goal to game ratio, and that will not be CMS...

[Norwich or die tryin! 0]

Can''t believe were being linked with Guidetti, Park and that Norwegian striker in Germany and were gonna sign CMS. Sorry but he''s nowhere near good enough for this level. Certain relegation awaits if this is the best we can do.

[Indy 2,837]

To have so many "Player Bashing" as some call it, must say something about the player rather than us fans of City!

 

For those who only recently started to follow City, we had a spell of buying so called 100 effort players who were plain sh1t, Andy Hughes & Carl Robinson come to mind, 100% effort 20% skill and we sunk like a stone!

 

How can anyone who watches football not ask the question why are we trying to sign a Brighton Sub, 28 years old and never played higher than 2 seasons at championship?

 

For those who say we are player bashing, no we''re not we are dissapointed at the level of focus on attack given that goals get points, clean sheets gets a point!

 

I would rather pay 4.5 million on a 22 year with potential, than 3 million for a championship journeyman.

 

Said that I had my doubts about Turner, but accept he''s a good addition for the squad, I have my doubts over Tettey, not all that good from all reports, Whittaker has nothing about him, but again cover in the squad, Bassong, Garrido & Snodders are quality signings and maybe what we expect as the norm for a second season in the premiership, maybe we are wanting too much for little old Norwich!

[Lets be aving you! 0]

"I would rather pay 4.5 million on a 22 year with potential, than 3 million for a championship journeyman"

 

We may not have 4.5 million left, or left for this window. But assuming we do, who would you suggest (keeping to a wage ceiling around the 20 k/week mark)?

[BroadstairsR 1,674]

I hope that CMS divides defences as much as he divides the fan''s opinions of him. Both Brighton fans and City''s.

 

Give him a go say I. Better than nothing types he, tears welling in his eyes.

[Mello Yello 2,027]

Is he better than anyone else we''ve got as a striker?

 I think he may prove a few doubters wrong.....and with a decent supply and playmakers around him, will certainly bang a few goals in......

[Cantiaci Canary 546]

"I would rather pay 4.5 million on a 22 year with potential, than 3 million for a championship journeyman"

 

We may not have 4.5 million left, or left for this window. But assuming we do, who would you suggest (keeping to a wage ceiling around the 20 k/week mark)

 

This is exactly the point.

We can''t meet the wage demands of a 4.5M striker yet with the debt repayment agreements we have in place.

 

Bigger names will arrive IF we can finish above 3 other teams.

[First Wizard 0]

IF, and its a big if imo, he comes, we have to give him a fair chance, otherwise, whats the point?

[Phillip J Fry 0]

[quote user="Wiz"]IF, and its a big if imo, he comes, we have to give him a fair chance, otherwise, whats the point?[/quote]

This. 

[Baldyboy 0]

Nice to hear that from you Wiz!!! I totally agree, all this guff about his age etc, isnt he the same age roughly that Holt was when he signed? He never got better and couldnt cut it in the Prem either could he?

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="priceyrice"]He has pace, energy to burn, is a good size and can finish. He can hold the ball up well and his link up play is quite good.[/quote]

On the flipside, he has has two seasons in the Championship and managed 9 and 11 goals respectively whilst starting more than 80 starts.

Given ample opportunity CMS has not impressed at Championship level. If he scores a hatful pick him up in January. Otherwise it is just money down the can.

[Citizen Journalist Foghorn 0]

[quote user="Indy"]

To have so many "Player Bashing" as some call it, must say something about the player rather than us fans of City!

[/quote]

If he comes I hope he does well. Based on his championship record - a failure, I would hope we were after a better standard of player.

[Indy 2,837]

Holt signed in the 3rd division and has developed relationships with the team over the two seaons prior to comming into the premiership!

 

CMS isn''t signing for a 3rd division side!

[SplatCat 18]

Personally I rate CMS! Sure he isn''t going to set the world alight but he is definitely better than Chris Martin. Better CMS than no-one at all.

And for all you I''d-rather-8m-on-Rhodes people.... well..... all I can say is the time to not buy players is when their price is inflated. Buying CMS now could be shrewd... Plus his wages won''t be high... It certainly isn''t a disastrous signing, what''s to lose?

There is my say on the matter y''all

[militantcanary 0]

Surely even if you look beyond the stats which aren''t great the Brighton fan''s point is a good one he cannot play up front on his own we need a target man or someone with pace and finishing ability to play alongside Holt

Sorry if this is correct Hughton has even at this early stage lost my confidence, this will be a poor signing as was Bunn yesterday which i found utterly inexplicable.

We must show ambition tomorrow or we are going down I am afraid

[Lets be aving you! 0]

There have been two stories on Sky Sports News tonight linking Brighton to Bothroyd and Tuncay.

 

Could well be trying to line up replacements for CMS.

[kick it off 1,894]

[quote user="militantcanary"]Surely even if you look beyond the stats which aren''t great the Brighton fan''s point is a good one he cannot play up front on his own we need a target man or someone with pace and finishing ability to play alongside Holt

Sorry if this is correct Hughton has even at this early stage lost my confidence, this will be a poor signing as was Bunn yesterday which i found utterly inexplicable.

We must show ambition tomorrow or we are going down I am afraid[/quote]

Pace and finishing ability? You mean the same attributes CMS is known for yeah? You say the Brighton fan''s point about CMS not being able to play up front on  his own is a good one, and then immediately say we need someone to play alongside Holt. I''m not sure how good your maths is, but if we need someone to play up front with Holt, then surely you can work out that would mean CMS would not be playing up front on his own... Because he''d be with Holt. Which is not on his own.... cuz Holt is there. 1 (Holt) + 1 (CMS) = 2 (up front).... Get it yet?

You found the signing of Bunn "inexplicable"? Well then you''re clearly none too bright. Bunn signs. Rudd and Steer free to leave on loan. Loan = development. Development = better players in the future. I''m not quite sure how you can''t comprehend that, it literally could not be any simpler.

If Hughton has lost your confidence at this early stage, it says more about you than it does about Hughton. Your post is making lose confidence in the human race...

[Lets be aving you! 0]

"we need ... someone with pace and finishing ability to play alongside Holt"

 

Glad I wasn''t the only one who had to read that twice, Kick it off. Seemed a pretty good definition of CMS''s main attributes, whichever side of the divide you''re on.

[Trawlerboy 0]

A poor mans Steve Morison.Please don''t let this happen.