ANALYSIS-Chinese steelmakers keen to bury CISA, not praise it

* "CISA circus" means mills likely to do own deals

* More spot, more index deals next year if CISA sidelined

* Steelmills to act quietly, minimise CISA loss of face

By Nick Trevethan and David Stanway

SINGAPORE/BEIJING, July 3 (Reuters) - China's hard-headed handling of iron ore price talks may pave the way for more spot deals and fewer annual contracts next year, as frustrated steel mills seek to break with the trade body that has led negotiations to deadlock. Industry observers and even Chinese media have said there was little support for the China Iron and Steel Association's hardline attitude, which has stymied talks that started last year, and may prompt the country's steel mills to quietly sign individual deals with miners this year and pay only lip service to the body in future talks.

China's International Finance News, linked to the communist party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, quoted an "insider" saying there was not much support for CISA's uncompromising attitude.

"CISA is now riding a tiger and can't get off," the report said. "The hard line has no strong internal support but compromise means defeat," the paper said.

For a profile of CISA's leadership, click [nPEK185551]