Good move

Eh?..... thought he signed a new 3 year deal last summer, or did I miss something in one of my many drunken stupors...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Eh?..... thought he signed a new 3 year deal last summer, or did I miss something in one of my many drunken stupors...

He did but now it has been extended an extra year

I love this. Justt for the reason above. We gave him a 3 year deal only last year yet we've renewed it and extended for another year. Never known the club to do this and it just shows we're hopefully going in the right direction.. Fantastic.

Having initially signed in 2011, this'll take him past his testimonial year and that'll be something richly deserved for his performances and service over the years.

Great move
Legend IMO
Will be a great skipper

Good stuff, like this tieing people down policy since Jolley's arrival 👌🏻

Why was it necessary to extend the contract with 2 years still to go?
Plenty of good goalkeepers always available.
Two strange decisions from MJ regarding McKeown.
Is it to divert the lack of new signings?

Quoted from cannylad68

Why was it necessary to extend the contract with 2 years still to go?
Plenty of good goalkeepers always available.
Two strange decisions from MJ regarding McKeown.
Is it to divert the lack of new signings?

One way of putting people off making a cheeky bid for him maybe.

We rate and value him so we keep him tied down. If somebody really wants him they'd have to stump up more. Simples.

I won't hold my breath.

I looks good and doesn't cost anything yet except a piece of paper. I think this and the captaincy are part of the same package.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I looks good and doesn't cost anything yet except a piece of paper. I think this and the captaincy are part of the same package.

If he's being paid more or has a signing on fee, then it does cost something...

Not sure if it's a good move or not. He's a legend, but if we're in league 1 and looking for promotion then he's probably not good enough. Big if.

Quoted from pen penfras

If he's being paid more or has a signing on fee, then it does cost something...

Not sure if it's a good move or not. He's a legend, but if we're in league 1 and looking for promotion then he's probably not good enough. Big if.

Does a contract extension imply either of those? Strikes me this is a confidence building job. Nothing wrong in that as long as we don’t read anything more into it. Most unlikely anyone will come with a big offer for him now so this is a piece of paper for his peace of mind and the club does not need to fear him throwing another wobbler.

Everyone, even his critics, are praising his shot stepping ability, but he is a great 1 on 1 keeper too now, that has really improved.

As others have said, yes he has faults but that's what u get at lge 2 level. For me his last season was a cracker and he is around and about as good as it gets for permanent keepers in this division. His issues with claiming crosses is at least one we can ameliorate with good aerial ability in CD anyway. For me his main issue is actually not only quality of distribution  but especially speed of distribution. Still happy with the signing tho. Playing so many games And that kind of loyalty is exceptionally rare in this day and age.

Quoted from toontown

Everyone, even his critics, are praising his shot stepping ability, but he is a great 1 on 1 keeper too now, that has really improved.

As others have said, yes he has faults but that's what u get at lge 2 level. For me his last season was a cracker and he is around and about as good as it gets for permanent keepers in this division. His issues with claiming crosses is at least one we can ameliorate with good aerial ability in CD anyway. For me his main issue is actually not only quality of distribution  but especially speed of distribution. Still happy with the signing tho. Playing so many games And that kind of loyalty is exceptionally rare in this day and age.

Said this time and time again.. absolutely think JM is one of the best shot stoppers and 1on1 keepers we've had and I, for one, am realky happy we've got him contracted for 3 years ... certainly one of the most consistent performers in our team and one of, if not the, best keepers in league 2...
If he had quicker and more accurate distribution he'd have been player at championship level before now...all imo anyways..

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Said this time and time again.. absolutely think JM is one of the best shot stoppers and 1on1 keepers we've had and I, for one, am realky happy we've got him contracted for 3 years ... certainly one of the most consistent performers in our team and one of, if not the, best keepers in league 2...
If he had quicker and more accurate distribution he'd have been player at championship level before now...all imo anyways..

I agree Northbank Mariner.  I guess you can justify criticising a player when they have performed poorly and not just the odd game (not something I do, ok maybe the odd time), but I don't think its fair to criticise a player when they have performed consistently like JM, especially when the team was inconsistent.   It wouldn't surprise me if there is a bit of strategy as to why MJ has given him an extra year (maybe more wages increases player value?) and that it keeps PH away  ;)

Or maybe a club approached us and was willing to offer him 3 years and our club have been proactive aand said here JM how about you stay where you're loved and have an extra year and few quid

Looking at some of our signings, I doubt they have come cheap and Macca deserves parity.

If he could distribute and claim crosses like Ederson or Pickford then he wouldn't be in League 2.  He's an excellent stopper and I would argue we only survived last season because of his world class saves; Exeter away being the prime example.

Henderson came in and it was clear to see he was an exceptional talent. We are not privy to what was said to Macca by Bignot so we can't hold it against him.

Sometimes you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. For every McKeown, Coyne or Mildenhall there is Antony Williams, Nick Colgan, Tommy Forecast.

Jolley mentioned after the Clee Town game that he was working on keeping our best players. I suspect some clubs came sniffing for Macca again. He was great last year - up his money a bit, tie him down for another year, everyone wins.

I'll get shot down for this but we will need a better keeper when we get to League 1. His command of the box is still too weak in my eyes and no amount of good defenders in the air can cover that.

When, when's that?  ;) but you entitled to your opinion 👍

Quoted from rancido

I'll get shot down for this but we will need a better keeper when we get to League 1. His command of the box is still too weak in my eyes and no amount of good defenders in the air can cover that.

By the time we get to Div 1 McKeown will be an 'Ancient Mariner' sitting in the main stand with a nice warm blanket around his legs, shaking his walking stick at the referee and sucking Werthers with his carer fetching him a Bovril

Quoted from Ipswin

By the time we get to Div 1 McKeown will be an 'Ancient Mariner' sitting in the main stand with a nice warm blanket around his legs, shaking his walking stick at the referee and sucking Werthers with his carer fetching him a Bovril

I take it you are basing this on your own match day routine?  ;D

Quoted from Malta_Mariner_90

I take it you are basing this on your own match day routine?  ;D

No way, the days of freezing my balderdash off in the Main Stand are long gone. In front of the computer with a Trappist beer is my routine

Quoted from Ipswin

No way, the days of freezing my balderdash off in the Main Stand are long gone. In front of the computer with a Trappist beer is my routine

I always thought sitting in the main stand was cold until I tried the upper Smiths or whatever it is called now.

Although nothing can replace being at the ground the cold weather does make watching on ifollow in Malta not so bad!

He saved no end of points last year, and the year before. Worth hanging to, and worth rewarding. If someone does want to poach him we will get well compensated.

Good move.