One to Watch – David McGoldrick

Name: David McGoldrick

Date of Birth: 29/11/1987

Nationality: England

Former Clubs: Notts County, Southampton, Bournemouth, Port Vale, Nottm Forest, Sheff Wed, Coventry

League Appearances (Goals): 228 (60)

International Appearances (Goals): 0 (0)

Stat of the Day: David McGoldrick has had the highest number of shots taken by a striker in the Championship this season, a total of 91

Player Profile: David McGoldrick was tipped as the one to watch the first time the two sides met this season but, like his side, was largely disappointing. Both Ipswich and the striker arrived at Loftus Road almost too scared of ‘big spending QPR` and failed to capitalise on Rangers` nervy start to the season. Fast forward five months and the 11 league goals to McGoldrick`s name coupled with QPR`s even nervier current form and a different outcome could well be on the cards on Saturday. The striker’s career had been wildly inconsistent before he moved to Portman Road, with numerous loan spells thwarting any sort of chance of becoming a club regular, and only a successful spell at League One Coventry City last season brought him back to the fore. Ipswich took a chance on him over the summer and with 11 league goals to his name at the half way stage of the season anybody who took a cheeky punt at 66/1 for him to claim the Championship Golden Boot may well be eyeing up any tasty returns.

McGoldrick spent the best part of the last four years at Nottingham Forest and endured a difficult time at the City Ground with most fans citing perceived laziness and a poor touch as the reason for his disappointing performances. His 17 goals in 25 appearances at Coventry brought his name to the attention of several clubs, however, and his impressive form has continued to help Ipswich sneak into the last playoff spot at the time of writing. Hailed as a ‘wonder boy` at his first club Notts County, McGoldrick is now being described as a ‘late developer` and appears to have finally settled at the close-knit environment of Portman Road.

Player History:

David McGoldrick made his way through the Notts County youth ranks before making his first team debut at the age of 16 against Swindon in 2004. The striker made three more appearances for The Magpies before Southampton moved to snap up the young talent the following summer. He featured as part of the Southampton academy side which narrowly lost out in the FA Youth Cup final to Ipswich in 2005, and it was Harry Redknapp who handed the teenager his first team debut in a League Cup defeat at Mansfield.

McGoldrick`s first appearance of the 2006/2007 campaign saw him score in an impressive 4-0 Carling Cup win over Millwall; however the striker played infrequently for the Saints after that. He had a successful loan spell at Bournemouth, where he netted 6 times in 12 appearances at Dean Court. Later that season he joined Port Vale on loan where he scored twice in 18 appearances for the League One side.

A solid 2008 pre-season saw McGoldrick handed a starting spot for the Saints in 2008. He started the season well, scoring 4 times in his first 4 matches, however McGoldrick struggled for form later in the season as the goals dried up. Fans grew tired of McGoldrick’s performances and perceived lack of work rate and rumour spread that Rupert Lowe had instructed manager Jan Poortvliet to select McGoldrick ahead of big earners such as Stern John and Bradley Wright-Phillips. McGoldrick did improve later in the campaign under new manager Mark Wotte when moved to midfield and ended the season with 14 goals in all comeptitions.

Following Southampton`s relegation to League 1 in 2009, Nottingham Forest signed the striker for £1million on a four-year-contract. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw with Reading and a return of just 3 goals in 38 appearances, the first of which against QPR, during the 2009/2010 campaign was considered a disappointment. The following season McGoldrick managed to score some important goals helping them to finish in the playoffs.

In September 2011 McGoldrick joined Sheffield Wednesday on an emergency loan and marked his Owls debut with a goal against Yeovil two days later. He returned to the City ground but rarely featured during the remained of the 2011/2012 season and joined League One Coventry City at the beginning of last season. He had his best return of goals to date, and 17 goals in 25 appearances saw Ipswich move to sign the striker for the rest of the season in January. He scored 4 times in 13 appearances for Mick McCarthy`s side and joined them permanently over the summer on a two-year deal.

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