Rotherham have bounced between the Championship and League 1 for the last few years so have had the opportunity to build and invest in their squad for a few years. After the Pep experience, we have had to rebuild as a mid-lower table league 1 side. It's therefore a little unfair to compare our strikers the theirs.
However, this is about Mackie and I stand by the opinion that he offers something. Yesterday, Rotherham put 3 players forward for our goal kicks, forcing Eastwood to kick long. Mackie often does this himself. He chases across the backline and slows the delivery out of defence. This allows 9 of our players to set up ready to win the ball and immediately regain control of the game. He also rushes defenders into playing the ball quickly which allows the midfield to press and brings others into the game. And on top of this he also offers experience and leadership in a generally very young and very quiet team.
But he also has many faults. His goal scoring record is poor and he often snatches at chances, equally he doesn't directly assist goals. These are two massive expectations and we do need better options to support Taylor. The other issue is his discipline as he can often give away fouls when we're in decent positions.
The thing with Mackie playing is having others who can play in the space he creates and get our goals. Yesterday, without Henry and with Brannagan, Baptiste and Fosu offering little first half, we had no real goal threat.
Mackie is limited and I suspect he will play fewer games in the second half of the season. But you only have to go back a few weeks to Man City when we looked a different team when he came on.
