By Tim Hodges
Craig Mackail-Smith has told Brighton and Hove News that he and his team-mates were enjoying the experience of being involved in the Championship promotion shake-up.
He said that it would be disappointing not to make the end of season play-offs.
However, he acknowledged that many Albion fans have had such a great season that it is almost as if they are satisfied with what the Albion have achieved so far and this takes the pressure off the players.
The Albion striker hopes to draw a line under Albion’s defeat against Blackpool last weekend and of course would like to bounce back with a win against Derby tonight.
He recalled the Seagulls’ victory against the Rams at Pride Park in November, saying that it was Inigo Calderon who provided the cross for his winning goal.
Calderon himself may have a chance of a recall to the Albion squad tonight in the absence of the suspended Gonzalo Jara Reyes.
Another player who may get his chance tonight is on-loan Welsh international striker Sam Vokes.
Mackail-Smith expressed some surprise that he had not started more games with Vokes and considered that the Wolves loan signing had valuable experience at achieving promotion from the Championship with his previous clubs.
Albion’s record signing hopes that midfield playmaker Vicente Rodriguez can get more games under his belt and that his quality will continue to create more chances for the front men.
