I was at the Scotland game today, and Jamie Mackie transformed the Scottish attack when he came on - he's looking sharp, fast n fit! Have a feeling that with all the new signings he's not going to get the opportunities he had last season - even though he's a MH favourite - hope I'm wrong as we still need his passion and desire.
I fear you're right but I am a big fan - he seems a genuinely nice lad and plays with the enthusiasm of someone who's living his dream. He had the same issue with selection last season and ended up a regular so here's hoping...
We would not be in the Prem with out key goals from him at the end of the season. How many times do I have to mention Liverpool at home and Man City away. Hughes is no fool. I wonder if some of you watched the same season last year. I know it is over a whole season - but we won nothing generally last year. In the games at the end of the season his attitude was a huge difference to the team. He chases lost causes. I think his problem might be if we get a comfortable run with a number of wins under our belt playing nice football. Then Hughes might be tempted to drop him as the passion might count for less.
Man City away made no odds but we could not of beat Liverpool without him and we would of already been down before the last game
A very good point. Every team needs a Mackie and his passion in the squad is unrivalled. He will be an important player this season in whatever capacity Hughes deems him necessary.
I disagree. I think we threw the game at Man City - goal was technically not needed but it showed what he does when the chips are down. Who do you think is better placed to keep him out?
I think he will see more games at CF than at RW this season. He should be up front if Zamora cant play.
Good point! No-one. Possibly Park, possibly Bosingwa if Onouha plays behind him. Bosingwa looks good going forward and carries the ball well cutting inside and getting a shot off. Onouha doesn't look comfortable on the ball when he crosses the half way line. Although Onouha might be better going forward knowing that Bosingwa is covering his back. This also works on the left flank as Taiwo and Traore proved last season in a couple of games. I like the idea of two full-backs playing on one side in tandem. It makes for a better understanding between them and gives better fluidity in attack as full backs have usually started their careers as wingers.
Scotland's 0-0 draw with Serbia Levein thought the two late substitutions also made an impact. "After the lads came on, I thought they both did well and we still had a couple of opportunities after that and I thought particularly Mackie made a huge impact in the game," he said.
Whoa there matey, lets not forget the other thing about the 2nd half of our last season........... we were OUT of the Cups, and we were, I suppose fortunate, enough to be able to concentrate on the League survival and were able to keep our players fresh as we only played 1 game a week....... so far we're still in the Cups this season, so I'm still not quite convinced on what MH is planning to do with player rotations. Perhaps that is where Mackie is stuck, in-between being needed all the time yet having to be rested enough to play well. That goes for the whole squad, of course, but it is a consideration.......
cheers Brix! Must try to get down to LR again this year - my son went crazy when Mackie came on as he's his hero! This was my main point, as I fear he'll be a bit part player this season when the majority of fans love him, cos of his passion and commitment. I'm all for us winning as many games as possible, but I wonder how many of the new signings will truly be as passionate as Mackie (I know passion don't make u a great player).
I think Mackie is the identikit MH player, high-energy, highly-competitive and a player who unsettles defenders. He may not have the silky skills of others but for raw passion and energy you'll not find a player who defenders just won't want to face more when the chips are down. The fact that he can finish as well makes him the sort of impact player who'll turn a game. He won't be first choice but will always be in the reckoning and my guess is he'll probably start more away games in a 4-2-3-1 than home games in a 4-4-2...
Jamie to move into BZ's role eventually and potential to take over that position. His development season on season has been terrific, as he continues to prove the doubters wrong each year. He'll be here for a while yet. The short contract seniors will be moving on and Mackie will be there to step in and be a regular if he continues his progression as a pro.
Im 100% sure we will get a top class Zamora type play in when he goes. I dont think Mackie will be more than a sub or fill in and Hughes will want someone else.
I see Mackie as our James Milner. Maybe even more so. Worth noting that despite all the class available to City, Milner's still very much in the reckoning. May be less games to play in the prem but have to remember it's much more of a squad thing at these dizzy heights (and we R a cup side nowadays aren't we... well, aren't we?!!!). See no reason why Jamie won't end the season on fewer outings than our other flank or forward options.
Id play him against the better teams, I would rather he starts over Hoilett because he offers more defensively. Then change it if we are losing.
He has maybe scored our most important goal in recent history, and it's not the one against Liverpool. But his last gaps equaliser at Pride Park, that goal gave us real belief that we could go up that year. The calmness he shows when the chances presents themselves is second to none.
I think we will see Mackie on the bench for most games He is a great impact sub to bring on but seems to struggle to break teams down in the first half when he starts I expect SWP to start ahead of him on Saturday but I would bring on Mackie after an hour
