Norwich and Fulham chase Mackie

Since QPR began splashing their cash on exciting, expensive players, the going has been rather tough for the guys who helped the R’s achieve Premier League status in the first place. Players like Shaun Derry and Clint Hill have struggled for game time, as well as Scottish forward Jamie Mackie.

The Mirror are reporting that both Fulham and Norwich are lining up £3m bids for Mackie, the man they interstingy describe as a ‘flank ferret’, and with Harry Redknapp keen on new recruits to keep his side up the Scot could well be shown the exit door.

This seems a little strange as it will leave QPR remarkably short up top after they let Djibril Cisse leave on loan. Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson are both still out injured so new signing Loic Remy is the clubs only remaining genuine striker. Mackie may not be a world beater but he is at least an option for Redknapp, and probably preferable to playing Adel Taarabt as a false nine again.

The 27-year-old would be a useful addition to a Norwich side which often struggles for goals, but with just two goals so far this season Mackie is not the answer to all the canaries striking problems. Chris Hughton is rumoured to be after Gary Hooper of Celtic as well and it seems that Hooper would be a much more reliable goal getter.

Fulham could also do with a new striker but it seems unlikely that Mackie is really the man to propel them up the table. Martin Jol’s side already have Brian Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov who can be effective in attacking midfield or deep lying forward roles and instead should really concentrate on getting an out and out forward as well as a new centre mid.

Jack Johnson

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