Simi Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 McAuley Pens New DealPosted on: Fri 08 Feb 2008 Leicester City defender Gareth McAuley has this evening (Friday) signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the club. The news will come as a major shot in the arm to the Foxes as they prepare to face Plymouth Argyle in a live televised clash on Saturday evening (ko 5:20pm) McAuley, who joined Leicester on a free transfer from Lincoln City in 2006, has made 70 appearances to date - scoring on six occasions. His fine form for City has also seen him earn a recall to the Northern Ireland squad - and he was part of the side that went down 1-0 to Bulgaria on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old's new deal keeps him at the Walkers Stadium until at least the end of the 2010-11 campaign. City boss Ian Holloway said: "I'm absolutely delighted for Gareth. He's impressed me since the first day I came here and this is great news for both the player and the club. "He's a great big fella and you certainly won't see many bigger number fives around. "There was an offer on the table for Gareth but we didn't want to sell him and he didn't want to leave. The fact that he has signed a new deal with us just goes to reiterate again that this club is going in the right direction. "I would like to also thank my Chairman for the faith that he has shown. He wanted what was best for the club and that is something that has to be admired." Tickets remain on general sale for the Plymouth clash.
Unabomber Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Good news having our better players signing new deals.
STUHILL Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Delighted, important to have a consistent back two. Kisnorbo and McAuley more than capable of holding their own in this league.
Foxhateram Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Excellent news. Yay something productive has come out of this week then. good good. Gareth is a qaulity player, lacks pace in sometimes but makes up for it with his presense in the air. hes a good lad im glad hes re-signed.
Mark Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Is it? I'm not so sure, I think we'd have been better off cashing in as I've never particularly rated him and his lack of pace means we can't play such a high line as Ollie would prefer to do, without getting caught out. I really can't see us breaking into the top 6 in this division with him and Kisnorbo as our center back pairing, they rather be hoof merchants than start a move going forward - which is as important as defending.
The Stig Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Chuffin good news. He must be one of the best free transfers we've ever had, and I'd go as far as saying he's THE best signing signing we've ever made from Lincoln. On a serious note he's one of the best center half's in the Championship and it's a big plus that we're now keeping players like him, as appose to selling them, e.g Connolly, Gudjonsen. It's a sign that slowly but surely the club is moving forward.
Daggers Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 I don't really care - I'd prefer reading about quality loan players coming in to add some meat to the squad than this.
lildave3 Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 I don't really care - I'd prefer reading about quality loan players coming in to add some meat to the squad than this. Like Gavin Hoyte?
Joe. Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Good news. I'm a big fan of McAuley, I think he's underrated by some on here and it's good for us we've secured him for another few seasons.
MikeyT Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Good news.I'm a big fan of McAuley, I think he's underrated by some on here and it's good for us we've secured him for another few seasons. Well said! Exactly! Thats great news!
Father Ted Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Knowitall said this would happen about 2 weeks ago.
Uncle Albert Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 McAuley has been brilliant for us, likes to chip in with some good goals aswell. Chelsea and Fulham
dandannieldanok Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Is it? I'm not so sure, I think we'd have been better off cashing in as I've never particularly rated him and his lack of pace means we can't play such a high line as Ollie would prefer to do, without getting caught out. I really can't see us breaking into the top 6 in this division with him and Kisnorbo as our center back pairing, they rather be hoof merchants than start a move going forward - which is as important as defending. Agreed fully, plus the only reason he has been offered a new deal is because he has been demanding more money (if you believe media speculation), not the kind of attitude this squad needs. In his defence others are perhaps earning more than him but that can't be an excuse IMO. I presume a fair few will disagree with me here.
STUHILL Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Agreed fully, plus the only reason he has been offered a new deal is because he has been demanding more money (if you believe media speculation), not the kind of attitude this squad needs. In his defence others are perhaps earning more than him but that can't be an excuse IMO. I presume a fair few will disagree with me here. Wasn't it also the fact Ipswich had put offers in for him! A new deal clarifys his future for him and the club.
dandannieldanok Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Wasn't it also the fact Ipswich had put offers in for him! A new deal clarifys his future for him and the club. Shouldn't the simple fact the bid was rejected comprehensively be enough though? IMO it should and that money was a major factor in this.
Simi Posted 8 February 2008 Author Posted 8 February 2008 Wasn't it also the fact Ipswich had put offers in for him! A new deal clarifys his future for him and the club. Yeah, but the reason he'd be demanding more money would be because he's had offers from other clubs, surely?
STUHILL Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Shouldn't the simple fact the bid was rejected comprehensively be enough though? IMO it should and that money was a major factor in this. No i think your being a bit naive, rejecting a bid doesn't settle someones future, A new contact does. Like Ollie said, Leicester wanted him to stay and he wanted to stay. So he got new longer deal, more money and future clarified for him and his family. I don't think he can be accused of bad attitude for that.
dandannieldanok Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 No i think your being a bit naive, rejecting a bid doesn't settle someones future, A new contact does. Like Ollie said, Leicester wanted him to stay and he wanted to stay. So he got new longer deal, more money and future clarified for him and his family. I don't think he can be accused of bad attitude for that. I'm perhaps being a bit naive but I call it more concerned about this team. As it has been leaked from the golf club meeting, Ollie clearly isn't happy about the attitude of certain players and the importance of their salarys.
Geo V Posted 8 February 2008 Posted 8 February 2008 Great News. He could have linked up with fellow Northern Irelander Magilton at Ipswich but has decided that his future lies here. I hope the critics back off the lad as he is solid and throws himself in for the cause and thats the type of person we need.
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