McAuley Magic

When it comes to the end of the current season there will not be many players who can look back and be pleased with their overall performance, except maybe Gareth McAuley.

McAuley joined Leicester from Lincoln on a free transfer in the summer, meaning he would be Stepping up two leagues. The step up in level was never going to be easy for the Northern Ireland international, but he seems to have adapted to the Championship with ease.

The impressive thing about McAuley is that along with his commanding aerial presence he also has a very good touch for such a big defender and is comfortable bringing the ball out of defence.

At the beginning of the season Leicester had Paddy McCarthy and Patrick Kisnorbo at the centre of defence and not many City fans could see McAuley pushing himself into one of those positions. However, due to injuries and suspensions McAuley has been given the opportunity to show what he can do and he has not turned it down.

The two goals McAuley scored against Ipswich last Saturday could be seen as the final piece of the jigsaw for McAuley. Throughout this season McAuley has been one of the positives for City. He has put in several impressive displays at the heart of the City defence and with him now seemingly adding the odd goal to his skills, he looks the complete defender.

He has made such and impact on the City faithful that there are now suggestions that it is McCarthy or Kisnorbo who should be fighting for their place in the side. One thing is for sure, come the end of the season McAuley should find himself one of the favourites for the player of the season award, if only for giving City their first win in the league at Portman Road in 19 years.