Jamie Mackie

[Witneyoldfella]

This man took a fair amount of stick early on this season when he clearly wasn't match fit and played out of position. Its time we acknowledge his contribution both on and off the pitch for the U's. He is articulate , from what I hear, great around the dressing room, top senior pro and an absolute beast to play against. Yesterday was a classic example of his commitment to the cause, I believe he would have to had to have two broken legs and 6 cracked ribs, before considering coming off after his earlier clash with the keeper.
Great example to the younger pros, I know he is in his twilight years but the man in my eyes earns every penny whilst with us, so take a bow Mr Mackie..

 

[Foley]

Totally agree.
Really enjoy watching him play. Must be absolutely horrible to play against.
I thought that his hold up play yesterday was very good. And he undoubtedly unsettled their defence.

 

[AbbeyOx]

just proves the point of not writing players off as soon as they sign and waiting till they’ve played a bit and adjusted. he’s exactly the sort of character needed and the type we’ve missed of late

 

[Scotchegg]

Not bad for a has-been, never-been, injury prone mate of Shaun Derry!!!

Remember that people were writing off Danny Hilton before he'd kicked a ball, and more recently Kashi too!

 

[yellowbow]

If the budget is going to be trimmed for next season I do wonder if he’ll be here. I can’t imagine he’s on peanuts. Could it be we really more on younger players such as Jonte Smith, Spasov and James? Hopefully he’ll stay and continue to be an influence on and off the field. Interesting summer ahead..

 

[Foley]

If the budget is going to be trimmed for next season I do wonder if he’ll be here. I can’t imagine he’s on peanuts. Could it be we really more on younger players such as Jonte Smith, Spasov and James? Hopefully he’ll stay and continue to be an influence on and off the field. Interesting summer ahead..

He is on a pay as he plays deal.
I reckon that next season will see some of the young players getting some game time.
I would be very surprised if they could replace Mackie.
We need Mackie next season.
IF the young players prove their worth next season then the following year they nay be ready to become first team regulars. These guys are very young and still have to develop. Think of COD in his first season. He gradually became stronger but in his first season was easily knocked off the ball.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I do like the way he plays - wholehearted, brave and committed. And in itself, those qualities have been fantastic additions to the team and have been an example that I think have rubbed off on other people.

But (and I'l probably get pelters for this!) I don't think he is much of a striker, and could start an unnecessary and booking-worthy argument in a phone box. He's signed up for next season, which IMO is a good thing, but we do need a proper striker or three.

 

[Osei Yaw]

I'm a massive fan of Mackie. He's not blessed with being the best footballer but the fact he got 2 seasons in the Premier League is testament to how hard he works. He's also a world class shithouse. He's the type of player that Harvey Bradbury could learn a lot from.

 

[Marked Ox]

If the budget is going to be trimmed for next season I do wonder if he’ll be here. I can’t imagine he’s on peanuts. Could it be we really more on younger players such as Jonte Smith, Spasov and James? Hopefully he’ll stay and continue to be an influence on and off the field. Interesting summer ahead..

Well Scott Shearer should be a saving!

 

[tonyw]

Everything positive said about Mackie is true, and I'm glad we have him.

Buuuut, what he ain't is a natural goalscorer. And if we're going to make a playoff push in this league, we're going to have to find one of those as well.

 

[Dubai Yellow]

id say it was easily the best bit of business done last summer.

 

[Mellowyellow]

He is on a pay as he plays deal.
I reckon that next season will see some of the young players getting some game time.
I would be very surprised if they could replace Mackie.
We need Mackie next season.
IF the young players prove their worth next season then the following year they nay be ready to become first team regulars. These guys are very young and still have to develop. Think of COD in his first season. He gradually became stronger but in his first season was easily knocked off the ball.

Fully agree, a young player may have potential, but that doesn't mean that they are ready to play straight in the first team. Baptiste waited for his opportunity, now he would be one of the first names on the team sheet, if fit.
Blooding them on the bench if injuries persist, in the U23's and Checkatrade games, that's where their experience will grow. A good example would be Little. Had a fantastic game against Spurs this season, and is now learning his trade at Woking. First team football, but at a lower level initially, before he is ready.

 

[Osleroad]

Well Scott Shearer should be a saving!

Plus not having to cover a non playing certain Swedish player

 

[psquared]

I'm a massive fan of Mackie. He's not blessed with being the best footballer but the fact he got 2 seasons in the Premier League is testament to how hard he works. He's also a world class shithouse. He's the type of player that Harvey Bradbury could learn a lot from.

Harvey Bradbury won't be here next season.

 

[windmill]

Not bad for a has-been, never-been, injury prone mate of Shaun Derry!!!

Remember that people were writing off Danny Hilton before he'd kicked a ball, and more recently Kashi too!

You are right about Hylton and a general consensus he would not cut it in Div.1. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

 

[bazzer9461]

Not bad for a has-been, never-been, injury prone mate of Shaun Derry!!!

Remember that people were writing off Danny Hilton before he'd kicked a ball, and more recently Kashi too!

Hylton

 

[bazzer9461]

I liked the response their No 5 Guthrie have when he was being hounded by Mackie pissed off or what ?

 

[Gary Baldi]

Mackie is fit and is looking the player that we hoped may turn up when he signed. Just a shame that he signed so late in the pre-season

 

[Reynolds97]

If the budget is going to be trimmed for next season I do wonder if he’ll be here. I can’t imagine he’s on peanuts. Could it be we really more on younger players such as Jonte Smith, Spasov and James? Hopefully he’ll stay and continue to be an influence on and off the field. Interesting summer ahead..

Cant imagine Spasov or James are on much at all so not sure why we cant have experience and youth? personally would love to see Mackie and another proven striker for next season.

 

[Shosho]

Would happily have Sinclair...mackie playing a small part, youngster and one other.

The mobility of Sinclair has been so important...plus has been clinical.

 

[unification]

Would happily have Sinclair...mackie playing a small part, youngster and one other.

The mobility of Sinclair has been so important...plus has been clinical.

I wasn’t impressed with Sinclair on Saturday. He looked lethargic and not on his game – however, he absolutely nailed his finish.

Sinclair scored from a chance that that Mackie never could make for himself as he’s just not quick enough to do it. Mackie charged around, causing all sorts of bother, drawing fouls, being a sh*those and knocking defenders around aplenty which Sinclair could never do. It’s working as a tandem at present. Mackie knocks them about, Sinclair runs at tiring defenders to worry them further.

Whilst we’re enjoying it all now the pressure is off, is this a frontline we truly want for next season? Personally, I’d still want a bit more from the strikers. More goals from scrambles, set pieces, tap ins from crosses and the like. Sinclair could become a useful asset given time, but he needs protection and I can see him going missing in games. Mackie is a bother but you won’t be changing a habit of a lifetime with him. If he nets you 10 goals in a season, he’s exceeding himself.

It’s still an area we need to improve on over the summer.

 

[PottersRightBoot]

Everything positive said about Mackie is true, and I'm glad we have him.

Buuuut, what he ain't is a natural goalscorer. And if we're going to make a playoff push in this league, we're going to have to find one of those as well.

I’m not sure you’re right these days. Do successful teams in 2019 actually need the mythical 20 goals a season front man?

 

[Deleted member 462]

I’m not sure you’re right these days. Do successful teams in 2019 actually need the mythical 20 goals a season front man?

He looked pretty natural as he brought it down and volleyed it into the top corner in one move against Bradford

 

[Millman]

I’m not sure you’re right these days. Do successful teams in 2019 actually need the mythical 20 goals a season front man?

I don't think a 20 goal a season hitman is affordable for a club like us (unless we get in a young lad and they develop into one like we did with Roofe). However a couple of strikers in the squad that can bag 10 - 15 goals is achievable and something we have lacked. It is possibly the difference between mid table and play offs.

 

[bazzer9461]

I don't think a 20 goal a season hitman is affordable for a club like us (unless we get in a young lad and they develop into one like we did with Roofe). However a couple of strikers in the squad that can bag 10 - 15 goals is achievable and something we have lacked. It is possibly the difference between mid table and play offs.

But there are teams in a similar situation if not worse who have strikers that have decent strike rates this season

 

[tonyw]

I’m not sure you’re right these days. Do successful teams in 2019 actually need the mythical 20 goals a season front man?

Millman's already responded in general - no, you don't need 20 from your striker, but you do want someone who can reliably get into goalscoring positions, and can reliably finish. For all his undoubted attributes, Mackie has scored five in 26(11) in League One this year.

After all, to get to the playoffs, you need a bare minimum 60 goals; most playoff teams score 65+. That gets a lot easier if someone can be counted on for a dozen or more.

And finally on this topic.....worth noting that of the three outstanding teams in the division this year:
Luton have the leading goalscorer (Collins with 22).
Barnsley have Kieffer Moore, with 16.
Sunderland's top scorer is Josh Maja, with 15 - but they sold him in January!

The only one of the top six without a 15+ goalscorer is Portsmouth.

 

[PottersRightBoot]

We’ve scored 50 this season already so we are not that far behind that asking rate.

It would be an interesting statistical exercise to compare say playoff teams scoring records now with play off teams scoring records 10 years ago to see how much they depended on a top individual goal poacher. I sense there is less dependence now.

If our defence had been in position for the whole season be interested to know what our goal difference would be. And our points total.

 

[tonyw]

It would be an interesting statistical exercise to compare say playoff teams scoring records now with play off teams scoring records 10 years ago to see how much they depended on a top individual goal poacher. I sense there is less dependence now.

Challenge Accepted!

2018-19 Top Six (*with five/six games to go, obviously):
Luton - 80 goals, top scorer James Collins (22)
Barnsley - 68 goals, top scorer Kieffer Moore (16)
Sunderland - 69 goals, top scorer Josh Maja (15, in half a season)
Portsmouth - 71 goals, top scorer Jamal Lowe (13)
Charlton - 58 goals, top scorer Lyle Taylor (16)
Doncaster - 69 goals, top scorer John Marquis (19)

2008-09 Top Six:
Leicester - 84 goals, top scorer Matty Fryatt (27)
Peterborough - 78 goals, top scorer Craig Mackail-Smith (24)
MK Dons - 83 goals, top scorer Aaron Wilbraham (16)
Leeds - 77 goals, top scorer Jermaine Beckford (26)
Millwall - 63 goals, top scorer Gary Alexander (11)
Scunthorpe - 82 goals, top scorer Gary Hooper (24)

(as an aside, the two top scorers in League One that year - Rickie Lambert and Simon Cox (Boooooo!) - both scored 29 playing for midtable teams.)

So as a proportion of goal output, it's:

2018-19 24% from leading scorer, 2008-09 27.5%

Would seem to support your hypothesis, although I'd need to run a few more years to come up with something that was statistically significant, and I'm not that bored!

 

[Foley]

I believe that in recent years Bolton went up with the top scorer getting about 8.
I agree with PRB that things have changed. Many teams have players scoring throughout the team.
We of course have Henry with 14 goals but agree that having a striker who get 12 to 15 helps. Sinclair's scoring record would easily get him this in a full season.

 

[Shosho]

The scoring scoring rate of our strikers isnt too bad...they are roughly scoring in line with the quality of chances they receive.

Where we fall short has been converting from set pieces (Nelson *should* have 5/6 goals) and from wide. Whyte and Graham simply don't score enough along with Brannagan from midfield...thats why the pace of Sinclair (or another striker is important)