McAuley Gone

[Webbo]

In the past few years, the logic with transfers and LCFC always seemed to be "pay a lot and get something average to crappy out of it".

If invested clever enough, you can get two, three or even four good to very good League One players for that money.

If.

If there were better players available for less, why didn't Ipswich buy them?

[Thracian]

I actually kind of agree with that!!!

Don't know why. Teams get relegated and teams get promoted and you can see by his comments how McAuley sees it... nothing to do with him.

Well it was. He mentions how few goals we scored and part of the reason was the woeful distribution and support from central defence. This is not reaction, it was mentioned months ago and many times. To adapt a quote I read recently: McAuley stops attacks but doesn't do much to start em.

The point doesn't need labouring further because McAuley's on his way and good riddance.

It could even point to progress except that we'll probably get another halfway house centre-half in Darren Moore, a guy who's surely got less pace and attacking energy even than McAuley.

I sometimes wonder if we'll ever learn. As a club we're like a chain smoker. We can see and feel the effects of our decision making year in, year out, but we still keep repeating the same mistakes. Until we recognise we're doing something wrong we've no chance of effecting a cure.

[Fez of Mahrez]

It always annoys me when we sign players and then go on their old clubs forums and they're all full of people going on about what a dreadful player they were and how they're glad to see the back of them.

For any Ipswich fans reading this for a bit of an opinion, he's a decent Championship centre-back. He's great in the air, a bit slow but doesn't get done for pace that often. He's a poor passer, yes. And that has been part of the problem with our attacking for the past two seasons. But that's been endemic throughout the whole team. If we had an exciting, young, attacking midfield like Ipswich then maybe McAuley's passing wouldn't have been so much of an issue. We didn't have the movement and options of a top-half Championship team.

There were countless times last season when we were all praising McAuley so this thread isn't really a realistic reflection of his time with us. He was one of our best players in 2006/07.

My main gripe with him during his time with us - and this goes for Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hume and Fryatt too amongst others - is that they've never proven they can be part of a successful team at Championship level. Obviously that's less important now for depressing reasons.

I also think Kisnorbo and McAuley were very alike in a lot of ways. I rate Kisnorbo better but they are very similar. Great in the air, poor passers, a bit slow, fairly reliable defenders on the whole but never proven they can form part of a winning team.

28 years old though, anything over £1million is decent business and hopefully will ease the financial strain at the moment (no idea how much will be made available for replacements - ideally we would bank it and pick up a decent loan or freebie rather than letting Mandaric/the new muppet chance their arm in the transfer market and waste even more money)

[leeleic]

It always annoys me when we sign players and then go on their old clubs forums and they're all full of people going on about what a dreadful player they were and how they're glad to see the back of them.

For any Ipswich fans reading this for a bit of an opinion, he's a decent Championship centre-back. He's great in the air, a bit slow but doesn't get done for pace that often. He's a poor passer, yes. And that has been part of the problem with our attacking for the past two seasons. But that's been endemic throughout the whole team. If we had an exciting, young, attacking midfield like Ipswich then maybe McAuley's passing wouldn't have been so much of an issue. We didn't have the movement and options of a top-half Championship team.

There were countless times last season when we were all praising McAuley so this thread isn't really a realistic reflection of his time with us. He was one of our best players in 2006/07.

My main gripe with him during his time with us - and this goes for Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hume and Fryatt too amongst others - is that they've never proven they can be part of a successful team at Championship level. Obviously that's less important now for depressing reasons.

I also think Kisnorbo and McAuley were very alike in a lot of ways. I rate Kisnorbo better but they are very similar. Great in the air, poor passers, a bit slow, fairly reliable defenders on the whole but never proven they can form part of a winning team.

28 years old though, anything over £1million is decent business and hopefully will ease the financial strain at the moment (no idea how much will be made available for replacements - ideally we would bank it and pick up a decent loan or freebie rather than letting Mandaric/the new muppet chance their arm in the transfer market and waste even more money)

I agree, i'm a little sorry to see him leave, although he wasn't the greatest, i thought he was fairly solid throughout. Never mind though, 1mill is a good price. Good luck to him. I think this is the start of a busy one-way summer.

[Simi]

Certainly a good bit of business, the money we've taken for players like McCarthy and McAuley is impressive, but it's only worthwhile if it's going to be spent well, which is where I worry.

McAuley was no more than average for us. At times during the season his posistional sense was dire and was especiailly an embarrasment against Southampton in the cup. The same ball caught him out time and time again, against a striker with pace, he always gets exposed and dragged to the ball.

As Fez said, awful passer and caused us a lot of problems with his constant attitude to hoof the ball when a simple pass was on. If he can improve that though, he'll continue to be a steady centre half in the Championship.

Not overly sad to see him go, he did chip in with a couple of important goals and he's very good in the air.

Now can we please spend this money well?

[davieG]

It always annoys me when we sign players and then go on their old clubs forums and they're all full of people going on about what a dreadful player they were and how they're glad to see the back of them.

For any Ipswich fans reading this for a bit of an opinion, he's a decent Championship centre-back. He's great in the air, a bit slow but doesn't get done for pace that often. He's a poor passer, yes. And that has been part of the problem with our attacking for the past two seasons. But that's been endemic throughout the whole team. If we had an exciting, young, attacking midfield like Ipswich then maybe McAuley's passing wouldn't have been so much of an issue. We didn't have the movement and options of a top-half Championship team.

There were countless times last season when we were all praising McAuley so this thread isn't really a realistic reflection of his time with us. He was one of our best players in 2006/07.

My main gripe with him during his time with us - and this goes for Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hume and Fryatt too amongst others - is that they've never proven they can be part of a successful team at Championship level. Obviously that's less important now for depressing reasons.

I also think Kisnorbo and McAuley were very alike in a lot of ways. I rate Kisnorbo better but they are very similar. Great in the air, poor passers, a bit slow, fairly reliable defenders on the whole but never proven they can form part of a winning team.

28 years old though, anything over £1million is decent business and hopefully will ease the financial strain at the moment (no idea how much will be made available for replacements - ideally we would bank it and pick up a decent loan or freebie rather than letting Mandaric/the new muppet chance their arm in the transfer market and waste even more money)

Have to agree it should be up to the manager to accommodate both the strengths & weaknesses of the players at his disposal and the the team as a whole. After all how difficult would it have been to encourage/insist that all our defenders look for the simple pass to midfield bear in mind also that for most of the season we only had two outlets as our wingers were by and large non existent.

The defences failure to hit the target with simple passing is as much the fault of our plethora of managers who all failed to address this and many other faults with the team, I still believe we had the individuals available to maintain a healthy mid-table position in the Championship.

[davieG]

Certainly a good bit of business, the money we've taken for players like McCarthy and McAuley is impressive, but it's only worthwhile if it's going to be spent well, which is where I worry.

McAuley was no more than average for us. At times during the season his posistional sense was dire and was especiailly an embarrasment against Southampton in the cup. The same ball caught him out time and time again, against a striker with pace, he always gets exposed and dragged to the ball.

As Fez said, awful passer and caused us a lot of problems with his constant attitude to hoof the ball when a simple pass was on. If he can improve that though, he'll continue to be a steady centre half in the Championship.

Not overly sad to see him go, he did chip in with a couple of important goals and he's very good in the air.

Now can we please spend this money well?

That money wont be spent on players!

[Jonbluefox9]

Speaking to Ipswich World, Gareth said: "I was excited about the move when Ipswich came in for me in January but Leicester wouldn't let me go.

Link

I suppose we forced him to sign a new improved contract with a gun against his head?! I've heard from people that McAuley's attitude changed towards the season, not as grounded as he once was. No point keeping people like that at the club so not too bothered that he's on his way. Get people in who want to be here!!

[ronnup]

That money wont be spent on players!

Let the boy dream....

Mcauley? Over a million? Good business. Fact.

[Katy]

Link

I suppose we forced him to sign a new improved contract with a gun against his head?! I've heard from people that McAuley's attitude changed towards the season, not as grounded as he once was. No point keeping people like that at the club so not too bothered that he's on his way. Get people in who want to be here!!

Cheeky bastard! Footballers are so full of shit it's unbelievable. I bet he was excited about his move to Leicester as well

[ronnup]

Cheeky bastard! Footballers are so full of shit it's unbelievable. I bet he was excited about his move to Leicester as well

Why? He wanted to go, we threw money at him. He stayed. We went down, he fooked off somewher better.

Can't fault him myself. He's not young. It's money.

As for being excited, they have to say that shit.

[Katy]

Why? He wanted to go, we threw money at him. He stayed. We went down, he fooked off somewher better.

Can't fault him myself. He's not young. It's money.

As for being excited, they have to say that shit.

Wasn't that my point?

[ronnup]

Wasn't that my point?

Oh i seeeeeeeee.....

But.... but..... surely he meant it about us.... didin't he?

We were different.... weren't we?

[DB11]

£1.1 million gets you a defender who...

1) can't pass - along the ground at any rate

2) is fairly immobile

3) is apparently a 'star player'

4) puts in inconsistent performances

5) can be described defensively as 'dodgy' at best

But how much will we have to pay for a quality defender to replace him if this is what the current rates are

[Joe.]

I don't know why everybody's getting excited about McAuley leaving when you consider his replacement is potentially Darren Moore.

[Katy]

Oh i seeeeeeeee.....

But.... but..... surely he meant it about us.... didin't he?

We were different.... weren't we?

[act smiley]

I don't know why everybody's getting excited about McAuley leaving when you consider his replacement is potentially Darren Moore.

This is the problem! Not too concerned that McAuley's off, he's reasonable but nothing special, but really we do need to start being a bit more efficient with the whole "not buying crap" aim that we seem to be failing at.

[Master Fox]

£1.1m lol

Thank You very much. This is nearly as funny as the amount Charlton paid for Paddy McCarthy.

[The Reverend]

McAuley was nothing more than a decent player for us, good in the air, but not quick enough.

1 million for him is excellent business, we can get better for that money.

[knowitall]

It always annoys me when we sign players and then go on their old clubs forums and they're all full of people going on about what a dreadful player they were and how they're glad to see the back of them.

For any Ipswich fans reading this for a bit of an opinion, he's a decent Championship centre-back. He's great in the air, a bit slow but doesn't get done for pace that often. He's a poor passer, yes. And that has been part of the problem with our attacking for the past two seasons. But that's been endemic throughout the whole team. If we had an exciting, young, attacking midfield like Ipswich then maybe McAuley's passing wouldn't have been so much of an issue. We didn't have the movement and options of a top-half Championship team.

There were countless times last season when we were all praising McAuley so this thread isn't really a realistic reflection of his time with us. He was one of our best players in 2006/07.

My main gripe with him during his time with us - and this goes for Stearman, Kisnorbo, Hume and Fryatt too amongst others - is that they've never proven they can be part of a successful team at Championship level. Obviously that's less important now for depressing reasons.

I also think Kisnorbo and McAuley were very alike in a lot of ways. I rate Kisnorbo better but they are very similar. Great in the air, poor passers, a bit slow, fairly reliable defenders on the whole but never proven they can form part of a winning team.

28 years old though, anything over £1million is decent business and hopefully will ease the financial strain at the moment (no idea how much will be made available for replacements - ideally we would bank it and pick up a decent loan or freebie rather than letting Mandaric/the new muppet chance their arm in the transfer market and waste even more money)

Good post.

I have to say IF Gareth had pace and was a good passer of the ball he would never have come here in the first place.

[davieG]

Magilton was a fairly stylish player and knows McAuley from his International appearances he obviously feels he can get more out of him that we ever managed.

I'll edge my bets on getting someone better for less until I see who is the manager and the type/quality of player he and Mandaric sign, I can't say I'm as optimistic as many on here seem to be.

Having said that he wanted to go and I'm sure mandaric's happy to have the £1mill.

[knowitall]

I wonder what you'll think of his replacement, it's very unlikely we'll get anyone better.

If Kisnorbo wasn't injured he'd be gone too and probably will be come January.

This is true.

Call Gareth if you want but really do you think we will get someone better?

[Uncle Albert]

This is true.

Call Gareth if you want but really do you think we will get someone better?

Yes.

I am currently out of contract.

[knowitall]

Link

I suppose we forced him to sign a new improved contract with a gun against his head?! I've heard from people that McAuley's attitude changed towards the season, not as grounded as he once was. No point keeping people like that at the club so not too bothered that he's on his way. Get people in who want to be here!!

This is bull. He is still grounded as the day he arrived at Leicester

[teblin]

This is true.

Call Gareth if you want but really do you think we will get someone better?

I think Decent centre backs (which is all McAuley was, not outstanding) can be found in the lower leagues, as he was you just have to look hard and do your home work which is what none of our managers get chance to do.