New Players in Focus: Jason Cummings

Cummings signed recently from Hibernian in Scotland. At 21 years old, he is both a signing for the future and one for now.

Jason Cummings after signing for Forest

So what do we know about the Edinburgh native. He is 5’10 tall, about to turn 22 (August 1^st) and is a striker. His whole senior career has been spent at Hibernian, with a youth career featuring Hearts. He is an under 21 international for Scotland, with no senior caps, but has spoken of his desire to step up.

He has 55 goals in 114 games. Which is a good rate, not prolific, but not exactly like he doesn’t know where the goal is. All of his goals have come in Scotland’s second tier, as Hibs have only been second tier for his senior career. They got promoted last season and Cummings scored 19 goals firing them into the top flight. He has played Premier League football but when he was starting out as a teen as Hibs were relegated.

What do Hibs fans think to his departure?

The majority are wishing him well. Most have said that his goals were vital, and that he stuck by the club when he might have left. The Edinburgh News featured a number of fans tweets which are quoted below.

 ‘Would like to have seen him at least for a year in the Premier, but fair play JC you stayed to get us back. Good luck.’

‘Och I honestly thought he would give it another 2 years before moving and then to a Premiership club. I hope he does well. Good luck Jason.'

Also featured were a number of fan comments on the newspapers page.

 ‘Ye if true, but think 1 more season in prem for us would have given him more chance of a better move, hope he stays, hard to replace.’

‘Relegation threatened Championship team in England? Sorry but I think Jason should aim for higher than that. Stay another year, bang a few more in and he’ll be far more likely to get top end Championship in my opinion.’

Of course like any good player that leaves there are those that immediately attack, and claim he’s over rated or that we are being ripped off.

‘I’ll carry him there myself. Don’t get me wrong he’s scored loads of goals but I’d rather have a striker who works for the team as well as scores goals. Jason doesn’t offer that.’

‘No really that fussed, as long as we get quality replacements and at least 2.5million.’

The fact that some predicted transfer fees of around £2.5mill speak of where they see his value, and the quality they feel he has. Strikers aren;t always there to be team players so it feels like sour grapes.

Cummings playing for Hibs

The Managers View

The Post interviewed Warburton about Cummings after we clinched his signing.
"But he wants to prove himself in the Championship. We are delighted with his desire and determination to prove himself. He has come here to play football, it is as simple as that… I do not have any qualms about him coming here and doing well. He is a goal scorer and a young player. We can work closely with him to help him improve in a number of areas."

Warburton also said "Jason can improve on and off the pitch but he does have that desire to do well, which is so, so important… You can see already what his attitude is like, from the demands we have put upon him in training…This is a tough place in the squad. He has come here without knowing anyone and it is interesting to watch how a young man copes with that.”

I think that Warburton definitely see's him as a project to nurture. He know's what he's getting and likes that he is ambitious. The fact he spoke about Cummings knowing he won;t be first choice straight away but wants to break into that role is vital

Value for Money

The deal is supposedly around £750k, though slightly different figures were bandied around. Scottish football isn't awash with cash so there is value for money there if the player is right.

Some compared to it the Veldwijk signing. I think unlike the Veldwijk deal, the signing isn’t seen as risky, as a complete unpolished gem. Veldwijk never made the step up, and he scored prolifically in a second division of a fringe quality European league. For one there is no culture shock element. Scottish football is similar to English.

In Summary

All in all Cummings won’t be first choice this season. Murphy will be ahead in the pecking order, and Brereton will continue to develop. Vellios has been on fire. But Cummings is another important option. And having options is extremely important. Time is on his side. He knows where the goal is. And though some Hibs fans suggested he’s not a team player that feels like an Assombalonga type replacement. In fact he’s a very similar shape. To truly compare though is wrong. Cummings needs time to adapt. Perhaps be an impact sub for a while.

Cummings himself has said He said: “Forest are a massive club and this is a great opportunity…But I’m not coming here to just walk into the team. I have come here to learn as I will be playing with, and against, a lot better players. I’m still at the learning stages and, with the gaffer here, I will only get better.”