Craig Mackail - Smith - The Dilemma

[k2bluesky]

Quite a few need to work on their 1st touch, CMS included, if Gus wants to keep with passing football, teams now close us down more quickly so any poor touches and the ball is gone. CMS should 'lurk' a little more and save the sprinting until it will produce for him.
Like everyone I love his effort but a lot of energy goes to waste and again as with a lot of our players, as seen against the 'big' teams, more time in the gym putting on a bit more muscle.

 

[Pinkie Brown]

Pinkie

What makes you think Reading will sell Roberts?

Chances are they won't want to sell him. They may want to keep him for his experience alone? He's on contract until the end of next season so chances are he'll be going nowhere. On the other hand, they may consider him too old for the Premier League? Who knows? Only McDermott I guess.

If (?) he were to become available, I still feel he could possibly be the ideal partner for CMS to play off. All hypothetical at the moment, but maybe a half realistic option.

 

[Mellotron]

Why is everyone still obsessed with this idea that Hoskins and CMS would be the perfect partnership. CMS needs a Murray type - strong, physical, hold up player - so the exact opposite of Hoskins.

Also, I'm sorry but people are underplaying the first touch thing, I think as US mentioned, the problem is he often tries to take the ball at 200mph, pretty hard to have a good touch going at that speed.

 

[The Terminator]

IMO cms would suit playing with a big man upfront and a creative player behind to thread balls into his path.

 

[DT Withdean]

Finding the onion bag, but at what level is his max:

10 goals in his P'boro Championship season
and 9 for us.

Will a 28 year old who has not been proflific or even good at finishing at this level (i.e. far better defences and opponents), be able to up his game?