It is time for manager Kieran McKenna to take the bull by the horns and bring back our prodigal son because there is every chance this could happen!
Macauley Bonne’s future at QPR is in doubt after he was excluded from the squad that lost last night to Blackpool. Bonne is in the final year of his contract with the London club, and their manager Michael Beale said afterwards that if the right offer came along, he could move on in the transfer window. If this was to happen, then there is only one place Macauley would want to be, and that is back at Portman Road!
Ipswich Town supporters are bound to be divided on this because cynics will say that he outstayed his welcome the last time and although he started well with 11 goals in his first 16 appearances he struggled to find the net after that. That is true, but we must not forget there were mitigating circumstances for his footballing decline – not least, the tragic news that his wife had miscarried for the third time.
I also don’t think it is fair to point to his prolonged barren spell without remembering that he spent a lot of this time on the bench. It was only on the last day of the season that he was surpassed as the club’s top goalscorer, and of course, Bonne was the man who fed Wes Burns for the goal that saw him claim that prize!
McKenna had a little chat with Macauley after the Charton win and told him that the door was not completely shut on his chances of coming back. And his favoured no. 18 shirt has not been allotted to anyone, so could this be the reason why? George Hirst was our main target but it looks like he is staying at Leicester City, and if this is indeed the case, then why not bring someone back who bleeds blue blood perpetually?
I was unsure about this before but yeah I’d go for this. Ladapo really needs someone pushing him for his place and Bonne is easily good enough to reach double figures. If we can get him for a good price I’d go for it.
Thanks for your input Redhotitfc and to be honest, I did not expect you to agree. That said, with George Hirst already seemingly off the radar, and Ladapo struggling for goals, bringing him back makes sound sense. He can score goals at this level and above, and he would always give 100% in a Town shirt, and, I believe, get us some goals.
Yes therefore some mitigating circumstances last season. But the same thing happens at every club he signs for. Starts well then fades away. Strange how those who idolise him bcse hes “one of our own”, defend him by saying he was on the bench for several games and thats why he failed to score, yet slag piggott off despite him playing far less games and being on the bench much of the time. Fact is, if it wasnt for the ” one of our own” thing, no1 would want him back. A big no for me.
I know where you are coming from here Christopher but I beg to differ. Yes, he played a lot, and scored a lot at the start of the season, and then faded out of view but we cannot deny that his 12 goals were only surpassed on the final day by Wes Bruns, who was gifted a goal thanks to the foresight of Macauley Bonne. Remember his intelligent intervention at home to Sheffield Wednesday when in the last minute, he robbed their keeper and fed the ball through to Conor Chaplin? He also scored some fantastic goals like the one on the half volley against Doncaster United.
As for Joe Pigott, he might return because I see that he is back on the bench for Portsmouth these days so struggling again it seems.
I’ve never slagged anyone of I like bonne I think he will get us goals still our problem mainly is one up top when bonne first come on loan and he banging them in for fun we played slightly different formation than mckenna when his goals dried up however you can’t question his attitude and work rate and bonne chipped in with how many assists when he was not scoring peeps forget that far as I’m concerned his better than Jackson so why not if the price is right I’m sure Ashton can work his magic wand again go for it
Thanks for your comments Graham, and it is nice to see we are on the same page as I think most Town supporters are.
Piggott isn’t struggling at Pompey at all. He’s done very well so far. Cowley stated on Wednesday that he was unfortunate to find himself on the bench the last 2 games having played so well. But like a lot of teams they rotate their squad a bit. And he cant return anyway as there’s no recall on his loan. And my point is clear. Yes, bonne started well, but then he faded away. And he does so at “every” club he plays for. On top of that he is always offside. Would actually be amazed if we could sign him anyway bcse of his wages. Unless hes willing to take a large wage cut, bcse,we are towards the limit of what we are allowed to pay out in wages. And dont think he fits mckennas style of play neither. If hd was to sign I’d back him 100% but would rather he didnt. And thats the view of most fans ive talked to.
Joe Pigott and Macaulay Bonne, both find themselves on bench-warming duties these days Christopher, so you could say they find themselves in similar positions. Bonne scored 4 goals in pre-season for QPR and his manager said, after he was not selected, “Macauley’s had a really good pre-season, we have a really good relationship but our squad is very strong and getting stronger as players come back to full fitness.” That does not sound like a gaffer who is disappointed with his performances to me. Pigott had a purple patch with AFC Wimbledon where he scored 47 goals in 137 appearances but take those stats out of the equation and he is not very prolific. At Charlton, he played 12 times and did not score and drew a blank at Cambridge United too. He made 22 appearances for Town and scored twice, but one of them was initially credited as a Thomas O’Connor own goal. With regard to bringing him back, if both clubs agree to a termination of the loan deal with player consent then this can happen, but I doubt very much it will. I know people might suggest I am being overly sentimental by wanting Boone back but even Kerian Mckenna told him that the door was still open to the possibility of a return to his natural home, so I say why not! George Hirst is not coming, and there is no one else on the horizon as things stand.
I think town should sign him on loan with the possibility of making it permanent at the end of the season
I think with the players there now I think the service he would get would make him a 15-20 goal striker
They will not sign him on loan as qpr will want to,off load him whilst they can get a decent fee for him
Good point Graham. Looks like they are eager for some instant dosh!
Interesting observations John. I agree. The squad is stronger than last season, and they create many more opportunities for a player like Macauley Bonne to strike it rich! A loan, with a view to a permanent deal, might be the ideal option for all parties.
Sorry but no. Piggott cannot come back. It was part of the deal for him to go there, (and them agreeing to sell us harness), that there was no recall during the season.
OK, Christopher, You are right. I overlooked the Harness side of the deal. As for Bonne though, I think you will find on closer investigation that most Town supporters want him back. A survey compiled by a popular Ipswich Town website found that 73% of supporters who filled in a questionnaire wanted him to return, and look at the comments on the TWTD website after the suggestion of him coming home was suggested. The vast majority of fans felt he would be an asset and so, quite frankly, do I.