Mackail-Smith laughs off Leeds speculation (From The Argus)
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Mackail-Smith laughs off Leeds speculation
9:30am Monday 20th August 2012 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Craig Mackail-Smith
CRAIG Mackail-Smith has vowed to forget about speculation surrounding his future and play with a smile on his face – after ribbing from his Albion team-mates about a move to Leeds.
The £2.5 million striker was strongly linked with a switch to the Yorkshire giants during the close season but returned from injury to star in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Hull in the Seagulls’ opening Championship game of the season.
Mackail-Smith, speaking for the first time about the transfer rumours, told The Argus: “If there was something that came up I know the gaffer would come and tell me and then it would be a decision, sitting down and talking to him and deciding where we go, but nothing came of it.
“I got a lot of banter from the boys, telling me to pack my bags and singing Leeds songs to me. My focus was on getting fit and making sure I was ready for the first game of the season.
“There is speculation around all the time and if you let it affect you then it gets to you and your game goes. I just get on with it.”
Mackail-Smith admits he put too much pressure on himself last season, when he scored ten goals following his club record move to Albion from Peterborough.
He said: “Last season was getting to know the boys. Maybe I put a lot more pressure on myself than I realised, thinking I needed to prove what a good player I am after the big money they paid for me.
“This season it is a case of just enjoying it and playing with a smile on my face, because I know I can score goals. I just want to enjoy every game. Maybe I didn’t do that last season.
“If I do that then the goals will start flowing.”
Comments(36)
dave from bexill
says...
9:39am Mon 20 Aug 12
Alfie T
says...
9:47am Mon 20 Aug 12
mycatlookslikezamora
says...
9:48am Mon 20 Aug 12
Cardiffcgull
says...
9:51am Mon 20 Aug 12
Dr Baldhead
says...
9:57am Mon 20 Aug 12
Baldseagull
says...
10:01am Mon 20 Aug 12
Dr Baldhead wrote:And when Barnes had sent it over the bar you could say "if only CMS had taken the shot"
But if only CMS had passed the ball to Barnes instead of shooting!!!! Looks like Ash fancied a pop at goal.
davidinsouthampton
says...
10:07am Mon 20 Aug 12
But seriously, top bloke, if somebody with a double-barrelled surname can be a bloke
GosportGull
says...
10:10am Mon 20 Aug 12
mikeygit
says...
10:12am Mon 20 Aug 12
Alfie T
says...
10:17am Mon 20 Aug 12
Baldseagull wrote:You two should get together...
Dr Baldhead wrote:And when Barnes had sent it over the bar you could say "if only CMS had taken the shot"
But if only CMS had passed the ball to Barnes instead of shooting!!!! Looks like Ash fancied a pop at goal.
Sticky-mess
says...
10:39am Mon 20 Aug 12
Hovite
says...
10:55am Mon 20 Aug 12
I would just say, enjoy rumours as a bit of fun but also take them with a pinch of salt.
LACHANCE
says...
10:56am Mon 20 Aug 12
Sticky-mess wrote:SOMEONE FROM STOKE
Anyone got any idea who this striker poyet is trying to get? I don't believe it will be Zamora as much as we would all love it to be him. Dying for an early week signing intime for a home debut Saturday!
Hovite
says...
11:03am Mon 20 Aug 12
keith brighton
says...
11:06am Mon 20 Aug 12
preface certain football teams,with the
giant ?
tug509
says...
11:22am Mon 20 Aug 12
SMF20
says...
11:31am Mon 20 Aug 12
LACHANCE wrote:Id take Kenwyne Jones, Crouch, Fuller or Walters should the new forward to be Stoke based.
Sticky-mess wrote: Anyone got any idea who this striker poyet is trying to get? I don't believe it will be Zamora as much as we would all love it to be him. Dying for an early week signing intime for a home debut Saturday!SOMEONE FROM STOKE
frenchvic
says...
11:54am Mon 20 Aug 12
SMF20 wrote:Three good ex-saints there, anyone of them would do well for your lot. I would go for Jones.
LACHANCE wrote:Id take Kenwyne Jones, Crouch, Fuller or Walters should the new forward to be Stoke based.Sticky-mess wrote: Anyone got any idea who this striker poyet is trying to get? I don't believe it will be Zamora as much as we would all love it to be him. Dying for an early week signing intime for a home debut Saturday!SOMEONE FROM STOKE
Captain Haddock
says...
12:04pm Mon 20 Aug 12
He did look like a man under a bit of pressure trying to prove himself (that's the curse of the 'big fee signing' see Carroll, Torres for further reference).
It already looks evident from his performance at the weekend that he is playing as a happier and more relaxed player (though still as hard working as ever). Given that he's had a heavily disrupted pre-season its all the more promising how well he played Saturday.
Reckon we're talking 20 goals from him this campaign ...or more!
Captain Haddock
says...
12:11pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Sticky-mess wrote:Yes and you're right, it's not Bobby! :0(
Anyone got any idea who this striker poyet is trying to get? I don't believe it will be Zamora as much as we would all love it to be him. Dying for an early week signing intime for a home debut Saturday!
kwaidam
says...
12:20pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran today completed a season-long loan move to
Middlesbrough.
Both clubs confirmed this morning that the 19-year-old England Under-21
international would spend this term at the Riverside Stadium.
McEachran made just five appearances, only two of them starts, in a loan spell
at Swansea during the second half of last season.
VegasSeagull
says...
12:31pm Mon 20 Aug 12
CB, MF and ST needed and possibly four existing players to leave, that should be enough to keep you up at night.
Regarding the four I say buy out their contracts and let them go on a free, if they don't go we will have to pay their wages anyway.
I think that we should be able to buy a CB rather than do a loan deal as this should be the easiest position to fill. The MF and ST, almost certain loan deals especially if we pay off the four.
VegasSeagull
says...
12:55pm Mon 20 Aug 12
kwaidam wrote:Look at who GP has signed, consider their track record and the wealth of experience they bring to the team, this done I think you will find the answer you are looking for.
thought you had contacts at chelsea, gus?? Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran today completed a season-long loan move to Middlesbrough. Both clubs confirmed this morning that the 19-year-old England Under-21 international would spend this term at the Riverside Stadium. McEachran made just five appearances, only two of them starts, in a loan spell at Swansea during the second half of last season.
This is a lad you would love to have on contract but considering our needs, I don't think he is the solution. ,
tug509
says...
12:58pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Clean Sheet
says...
1:11pm Mon 20 Aug 12
ballantrrae
says...
1:12pm Mon 20 Aug 12
VegasSeagull wrote:In addition to the CB, Midfielder and Striker you refer, I would like another attacking midfielder to cover Vicente (what happened to the French lad Balmy ?) and a young left back to understudy Bridge (1 year loan only) especially if Painter were to leave. I would still prefer Vincelot to Painter.
So now we know, CMS is staying, time to ponder the real transfer issues rather than the fake ones.
CB, MF and ST needed and possibly four existing players to leave, that should be enough to keep you up at night.
Regarding the four I say buy out their contracts and let them go on a free, if they don't go we will have to pay their wages anyway.
I think that we should be able to buy a CB rather than do a loan deal as this should be the easiest position to fill. The MF and ST, almost certain loan deals especially if we pay off the four.
Others might be needed if some other players depart eg Harley, Dicker etc
The next 10 days should be interesting. Looking forward to CMS and others scoring some goals both home and away. Hope Vicente is fit soon....Pleased Kuszczak had a good game on Saturday.
VegasSeagull
says...
1:17pm Mon 20 Aug 12
tug509 wrote:Sounds good to me so long as we do something with them and not just have them sitting on their butts.
IF we are thinking of offloading these 4 players,would it be worth loaning them out .It would guarantee them a game,and save us their wages?
VegasSeagull
says...
1:32pm Mon 20 Aug 12
ballantrrae wrote:I think GP is on record as saying that he wants to reduce the number of players that we have. I take that to mean that players will go and not be replaced but I could be wrong on his statement and how I am reading it.
VegasSeagull wrote: So now we know, CMS is staying, time to ponder the real transfer issues rather than the fake ones. CB, MF and ST needed and possibly four existing players to leave, that should be enough to keep you up at night. Regarding the four I say buy out their contracts and let them go on a free, if they don't go we will have to pay their wages anyway. I think that we should be able to buy a CB rather than do a loan deal as this should be the easiest position to fill. The MF and ST, almost certain loan deals especially if we pay off the four.In addition to the CB, Midfielder and Striker you refer, I would like another attacking midfielder to cover Vicente (what happened to the French lad Balmy ?) and a young left back to understudy Bridge (1 year loan only) especially if Painter were to leave. I would still prefer Vincelot to Painter. Others might be needed if some other players depart eg Harley, Dicker etc The next 10 days should be interesting. Looking forward to CMS and others scoring some goals both home and away. Hope Vicente is fit soon....Pleased Kuszczak had a good game on Saturday.
If we obtain the three we clearly need, 'now,' I think GP will take his time over any further signings. If we really needed to we could recall JFC from Oxford. When the transfer window re-opens we will know where we stand in regards to our promotion chances, this might be the time to bolster the squad for the final push.
If Bridge has the year we all hope he has and, if we get promoted, as we all hope we do, maybe we buy Bridge.
coolio73
says...
1:40pm Mon 20 Aug 12
oksouthstander
says...
10:16pm Mon 20 Aug 12
Captain Haddock
says...
1:03am Tue 21 Aug 12
kwaidam wrote:Right well that's the Chelsea player I've heard we were in for. Deal agreed in principle but subject to any late loan bids by PL clubs.
thought you had contacts at chelsea, gus??
Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran today completed a season-long loan move to
Middlesbrough.
Both clubs confirmed this morning that the 19-year-old England Under-21
international would spend this term at the Riverside Stadium.
McEachran made just five appearances, only two of them starts, in a loan spell
at Swansea during the second half of last season.
Don't know what happened to that then! Perhaps after signing Crofts, Gus wanted to channel his attention and spending elsewhere.
Striker deal we were close to has died (although POSSIBLY could rekindle as the deadline approaches). Other irons in the fire. TB hopes to have at least one new acquisition in place by end of August.
seagull5
says...
2:35am Tue 21 Aug 12
Clean Sheet wrote:Harry Kewell was here playing for Melbourne Victory last season. By his own admission it was not a roaring success.
On Talk sport last evening, they were plugging the rumour that Harry Kewell is on his way back to England, with Stoke, Hull, Birmingham and Seagulls in the frame. I really don't think we need another sick note, and would not fit any of the criteria that GP is discussing. As for BZ, I can't see him stepping down to the Champ this season. If he moves, he is more likely to go to Reading or Norwich. When we get promoted, then he might consider a return.
He seemed to have lost that extra half yard of pace even for the mediocre standard that is played here.
He brought in the crowds at least to start with but apart from a couple of flashes of brilliance that was all. We should keep our powder dry and go for someone with a lower mileage
leonrobichaud
says...
9:06am Tue 21 Aug 12
ballantrrae
says...
10:54am Tue 21 Aug 12
Captain Haddock wrote:Thanks Captain H for your info. Lets hope we have more luck/success in the next 10 days.
kwaidam wrote:Right well that's the Chelsea player I've heard we were in for. Deal agreed in principle but subject to any late loan bids by PL clubs.
thought you had contacts at chelsea, gus??
Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran today completed a season-long loan move to
Middlesbrough.
Both clubs confirmed this morning that the 19-year-old England Under-21
international would spend this term at the Riverside Stadium.
McEachran made just five appearances, only two of them starts, in a loan spell
at Swansea during the second half of last season.
Don't know what happened to that then! Perhaps after signing Crofts, Gus wanted to channel his attention and spending elsewhere.
Striker deal we were close to has died (although POSSIBLY could rekindle as the deadline approaches). Other irons in the fire. TB hopes to have at least one new acquisition in place by end of August.
For my part I would like to see 2 players joining by the time the transfer window closes ie the striker Poyet wants plus another midfielder. The CB could always be a loanee who we can get when the 'loan signings' season opens again.
Any news on Hoskins progress anyone ?
ballantrrae
says...
1:20pm Tue 21 Aug 12
VegasSeagull wrote:I have a vague recollection of Poyet saying he was happy with the squad numbers but wanted to change a few faces ie 'freshen up the squad'.
ballantrrae wrote:I think GP is on record as saying that he wants to reduce the number of players that we have. I take that to mean that players will go and not be replaced but I could be wrong on his statement and how I am reading it.
VegasSeagull wrote: So now we know, CMS is staying, time to ponder the real transfer issues rather than the fake ones. CB, MF and ST needed and possibly four existing players to leave, that should be enough to keep you up at night. Regarding the four I say buy out their contracts and let them go on a free, if they don't go we will have to pay their wages anyway. I think that we should be able to buy a CB rather than do a loan deal as this should be the easiest position to fill. The MF and ST, almost certain loan deals especially if we pay off the four.In addition to the CB, Midfielder and Striker you refer, I would like another attacking midfielder to cover Vicente (what happened to the French lad Balmy ?) and a young left back to understudy Bridge (1 year loan only) especially if Painter were to leave. I would still prefer Vincelot to Painter. Others might be needed if some other players depart eg Harley, Dicker etc The next 10 days should be interesting. Looking forward to CMS and others scoring some goals both home and away. Hope Vicente is fit soon....Pleased Kuszczak had a good game on Saturday.
If we obtain the three we clearly need, 'now,' I think GP will take his time over any further signings. If we really needed to we could recall JFC from Oxford. When the transfer window re-opens we will know where we stand in regards to our promotion chances, this might be the time to bolster the squad for the final push.
If Bridge has the year we all hope he has and, if we get promoted, as we all hope we do, maybe we buy Bridge.
He was quoted along those lines prior to saying Sparrow and Vincelot had been told they might be best served by moving elsewhere.
I had therefore assumed he would probably replace any departures.
Albion fan in London says...
9:38am Mon 20 Aug 12