The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season after a difficult season at Queens Park Rangers following his move from Nottingham Forest.
It is fair to say Jamie Mackie was never the most universally popular player at Nottingham Forest. He may have earned the admiration of some supporters for his grafting work ethic but a tally of five goals in 49 games, not to mention £25,000-a-week wages are difficult to see past, as reported by Get West London.
However, it did not help that the hard-working forward was often played up front during his single season at the City Ground. Averaging around one in six through his career, it’s fair to say goal scoring was never his forte.
Nonetheless, James Perch, a full-back at Mackie’s current club QPR, insists that he is desperate for the 31-year-old to stay beyond the end of the season with his contract expiring in June.
“He’s been superb for us, has Jamie,” he said in quotes reported by Get West London. “If anyone deserves a contact, Jamie does.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a superb servant for QPR. The fans love him.”
In fact, few can sum up Mackie quite like Perch. QPR fans will always admire his reliability and his clear passion for the club across two spells but could he be a similarly galvanising influence at the City Ground if Forest were to take a punt at the end of the season?
It helps that Forest are blessed with impressive forward options, meaning Mackie would likely be utilised in his more effective winger role, perhaps even on the left where Gary Brazil recently stationed Zach Clough to little reward.
Mackie would offer Championship experience in a relatively youthful squad but, if the fans are to welcome him back with open arms, they would like to see a more balanced ratio of perspiration and inspiration.
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