When Neil Warnock signed Jamie Mackie in May 2010 Iâll be the first to admit that I was thoroughly underwhelmed. Regardless of the fact that he only cost a reported £200,000 I couldnât understand why we had signed a striker whose modest return of only 8 goals had not helped his previous club avoid relegation. Followed immediately by the signing of Leon Clarke I was not along in wondering what Warnock was doing. A promising pre-season where he featured strongly in Warnockâs new 4-2-3-1 formation was followed by a confidence boosting debut goal and the following 6 matches yielded a further 7 goals for him as we stormed to the top of The Championship. This incredible goal scoring run could not continue indefinitely, but he was still a vital component in Q.P.R.âs promotion bid as he not only linked up effectively with Adel Taarabt, Hogan Ephraim and Alejandro Faurlin but constantly close down and harried opposition defenders and chased every seeming lost cause. His ceaseless efforts were rewarded with one more goal, the vital opener in Rangersâ Taarabt inspired demolition of Swansea City, before his season was cruelly cut short. Neil Warnock had originally intended to leave Mackie out of the F.A. Cup match away to Blackburn Rovers, but, at Mackieâs insistence, heâd relented and played him. Disaster struck as he typically tried to retrieve possession and launched into a poor challenge on Gael Givet, the sickening collision leaving Mackie with a double fracture of his leg. The fact that Mackie tried to get back onto his feet speaks volumes for his character, the verbal tirade he had to endure from the loathsome El Hadji Diouf would have made a lesser man bitter, but not Mackie, he just vowed to come back a better player. Q.P.R. duly won promotion to the Premier League with Mackie being one of the players that I expected to be replaced. Surely players needed more than wholehearted endeavour to succeed at this level? Warnock seemed to rush him back into the team with indecent haste and although it was good to see him on the pitch, his enthusiasm undiminished, his desire abundant and his energy boundless, he looked like he was out of his depth. His first touch was poor, his control indifferent and his pace lacking. Q.P.R. supporters were polarised in their opinions of him, some loved his work rate and determination, others focused on his lack of natural ability. Warnock persisted with him and every Q.P.R. supporter was thrilled for him when he scored his first Premier League goal against Sunderland, a well deserved reward for his desire and effort. When Mark Hughes replaced Neil Warnock as Q.P.R.âs manager I again expected Mackieâs name to disappear from the first team sheet, but it didnât. The more he played and the more his match fitness improved the better he looked. The goals started to flow again and with his last second winner against Liverpool his stature with the Rangersâ faithful was elevated to cult hero. Since then his displays have gone from strength to strength, his touch, control and pace have improved beyond all recognition and his confidence has soared. Mackie hasnât got the blistering pace of Walcott or mesmerising the ball skills of Nani but he does present a serious set of problems to any full back. During his lengthy layoff he worked on his upper body strength making him very hard to push off the ball and he has developed the priceless ability to smuggle the ball passed defenders. His greatest attribute however is his determination. He will run and run all match long, always willing to take defenders on, beating them with desire as much as skill. Opposition left backs are now far less of an attacking threat as Mackie continually forces them deeper and deeper into their own half. To name just two, he gave Patrice Evra as torrid an afternoon as any winger has this season and last Saturday did exactly the same to Assou-Ekotto. Through his bloody minded will to succeed Jamie Mackie now looks like a Premier League player.
Spot on Roller, Jamie is fast becoming an indispensable member of the team and, you forgot to mention, the Scottish national team as well...
Very well said Rollercoaster. It is very satisfying that Jamie along with Derry, Hill, Faurlin, Kenny and Adel have stepped up and reincarnated the spirit of last season. He has been bulllying left backs these last few games and Hughes will make him into even more of a handful.
Mackie, along with him has forced the manager to pick him due to sheer determination and single mindedness.... Both should be commended on thier sheer determination...and they aint bad players either !!
Top post. I was the same when we signed him. But I was gladly quickly proven wrong, and he is one of my favourite players. Simply for his sheer work ethic. I stood by him this season, when many others were criticising him - little did they know - he was more important to the team than many realised. You cannot do without work ethic in a team. Without him I doubt we would have been able to keep several Spurs players quiet on Saturday. It says alot that our most consistent performers this year have all come from our championship side - Mackie, Hill, Derry, Faurlin, Helguson.
His sheer persistence and never say die attitude is causing full backs at this level problems. Not gifted technically but he deserves huge respect for making the most of his talent.
Nothing to add. I could not see how anyone actually doubted his ability, his passion and his commitment to the cause when his golden streak came to an end last season and I can easily see why Warnock wanted him back in the team as soon as he could. I would go so far as to say that he has brought the best out of his team mates from last season and has clearly won over his new ones as well. His impact is on team spirit and mental attitude as much as his ability to force the ball into the net.
Until the Blackburn match i did think he was a championship player with just premier league status. Then in that very match he tried almost by himself to beat Blackburn even they did escape 3-0 up. Well ,he did get us 2 goals back and was very nearly to score a hat-trick. After that match he has been our top three player in almost every match. Great player and is coming very nearly to be my player of the year. If i have to put my money and bet who would score the goal that will keep us up. My bet would be Jamie Mackie. Hope we shall see that on coming sunday......
I love players like Jamie and he proves that with a big heart and passion you can make players with all the skill in the world look mediocre. Great post Roller
Great post Roller. He was a fantastic buy by Neil, he just seems to go on improving. He must work as hard in the gym, on the training field, and in listening to good advice, as he does on match days.
Great Post Roller. Mackie has worked hard to get to where he is.......and isn't about to chuck it all in. Good Premier player...can only get better
He has one thing in his game that you can't teach: he knows where the net is That alone makes him one of our best players without even taking into account his determination, stamina and strength
Every team needs a Mackie. Hard to believe that he was playing non-league football just a few years ago. It's great to see him performing in the Prem and like the Rangers team, getting better with every game. I'm so pleased for him.
If we stay up he should be rewarded with a brand new contract. He has been perfect example of a professional footballer.
I have to put my hand up and admit that i was one of those that felt he was way way out of his depth in the prem. But his bloody determination to succeed is there for all to see. Agree with all the points above. Think he deserves a new extended contract and this might be prudent as other clubs, even bigger ones, like to have players like him. Kuyt at Liverpool comes to mind. Even Fletcher at Utd. I never thought i would say this, but i am slowly coming around to thinking that he may be captain material. He certainly displays all the attributes of a leader. His performances have improved steadily as the season has gone on which i suppose is normal for a player who had a terrible injury last year. With a summer to rest, something tells me, we may not have seen the best of him yet. He is in the running for my player of the year along with Hill and Derry. Delighted for him and delighted to be proved wrong.
Like many, I didn't think he was good enough for the Premier League. I was wrong, as he's got better and better and on Saturday he ran one of the better full backs in the league ragged!!
