How we miss Michael Doyle.

[Woodwardfan]

Doyle was a limited footballer but a leader, a fighter and an honest player.

His 3 best qualities for me were:

1. Thorough experienced professional with awareness for the game, an organiser and a leader.
2. A tenacious battler who would often take on bullying sides single-handedly and cause friction and flash-points so fellow colleagues would stir themselves up. Yesterday the referee was content to allow Dale to bully us as long as the game simmered along and didn't boil over. Doyle deliberately made the game boil over so that the referee actually got a grip of everybody and stamped out any bad tackles thereafter. Once the referee was stirred the opposition had to hold back.
3. Doyle created an easy ball situation for every player in possession in any part of the pitch. He did that whether he was in good form or having a stinker.

Yesterday in our midfield in both halves we had nobody who did any of that. We miss Michael Doyle who was not everybody's cup of tea as a player but he had bottle and always gave 100% and our midfield would not have been so anonymous if he had been there yesterday. Our midfield was an embarrassment yesterday IMO.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Doyle was a limited footballer but a leader, a fighter and an honest player.

His 3 best qualities for me were:

1. Thorough experienced professional with awareness for the game, an organiser and a leader.
2. A tenacious battler who would often take on bullying sides single-handedly and cause friction and flash-points so fellow colleagues would stir themselves up. Yesterday the referee was content to allow Dale to bully us as long as the game simmered along and didn't boil over. Doyle deliberately made the game boil over so that the referee actually got a grip of everybody and stamped out any bad tackles thereafter. Once the referee was stirred the opposition had to hold back.
3. Doyle created an easy ball situation for every player in possession in any part of the pitch. He did that whether he was in good form or having a stinker.

Yesterday in our midfield in both halves we had nobody who did any of that. We miss Michael Doyle who was not everybody's cup of tea as a player but he had bottle and always gave 100% and our midfield would not have been so anonymous if he had been there yesterday. Our midfield was an embarrassment yesterday IMO.

We miss Doyle because we never replaced him.

UTB

 

[Revolution]

We miss Doyle because we never replaced him.

UTB

Precisely. What we are lacking is someone with similar qualities and more ability than Doyle.

 

[s10blade]

We don't miss Michael Doyle, we miss Stuart McCall and Michael Brown.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

To answer the OP post - sorry, we don't miss Michael Doyle.

He worked in a 5 and would have been absolutely over run in a 4.

Michael Doyle epitomised a midfield player who always wanted to off load the ball as quickly and as easily as possible. We still have midfield players who do the same now. The ones that don't and Scoogs is one has other deficiencies like being too small and not strong enough for this division.

Accepted MD was a leader - but taking yesterdays opposition - they rang rings round our midfield most of the game - Doyle would have been totally lost.

The club needs to move on - Clough was at least right on that.

UTB

 

[cal the blade]

We don't miss Michael Doyle, we miss Stuart McCall and Michael Brown.

living in the past there mate them days have long gone.
however doyle was here last season and should still be here now he had his best season for us last season and his reward... gets released, in a shocking manner to

 

[Woodwardfan]

To answer the OP post - sorry, we don't miss Michael Doyle.

He worked in a 5 and would have been absolutely over run in a 4.

Michael Doyle epitomised a midfield player who always wanted to off load the ball as quickly and as easily as possible. We still have midfield players who do the same now. The ones that don't and Scoogs is one has other deficiencies like being too small and not strong enough for this division.

Accepted MD was a leader - but taking yesterdays opposition - they rang rings round our midfield most of the game - Doyle would have been totally lost.

The club needs to move on - Clough was at least right on that.

UTB

With respect Fulwood, you are missing the points made in two of the areas of the OP but you do accept the other third.

Doyle played in 4-4-2 often enough for us and in his career. As for offloading the ball quickly, nothing wrong with that, as long as possession is maintained. His big strength was competing for the ball and winning it then providing it to more skillfull players. Please do not discount the need for midfielders fighting the battle and keeping possession, that's not in the past it's here and now - in any team.

Added to that area, yesterday not a single player in midfield showed for the ball at any stage.

Doyle is 33 so it was right for him to go, but boy do we miss him because we have not replaced him, someone above is spot on there, but in truth our loss is Pompey's gain and another half a season would have reaped dividends as it turns out and Doyle would have jumped at the chance.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Doyle was a limited footballer but a leader, a fighter and an honest player.

His 3 best qualities for me were:

1. Thorough experienced professional with awareness for the game, an organiser and a leader.
2. A tenacious battler who would often take on bullying sides single-handedly and cause friction and flash-points so fellow colleagues would stir themselves up. Yesterday the referee was content to allow Dale to bully us as long as the game simmered along and didn't boil over. Doyle deliberately made the game boil over so that the referee actually got a grip of everybody and stamped out any bad tackles thereafter. Once the referee was stirred the opposition had to hold back.
3. Doyle created an easy ball situation for every player in possession in any part of the pitch. He did that whether he was in good form or having a stinker.

Yesterday in our midfield in both halves we had nobody who did any of that. We miss Michael Doyle who was not everybody's cup of tea as a player but he had bottle and always gave 100% and our midfield would not have been so anonymous if he had been there yesterday. Our midfield was an embarrassment yesterday IMO.

Doyle and Collins, two reasons why we're in the third division.

At least one em's gone.

 

[s10blade]

living in the past there mate them days have long gone.
however doyle was here last season and should still be here now he had his best season for us last season and his reward... gets released, in a shocking manner to

One of the main reasons we are where we are is because as a club we are not ruthless enough and are happy to plod along and reward averageness. Doyle was passionate enough and nothing against him, but he played in several teams that couldn't gain promotion, absoloutely no reason to keep him IMO.

 

[s35blade]

One thing about Doyle is he was a leader and I imagine a exceptional captain. Another thing about Doyle was that he was crap at Football and a constant liability in the centre of midfield. Thus explaining why he is playing in a division lower.

 

[wizadry]

No we don't.

 

[Silent Blade]

Doyle played in 4-4-2 often enough for us and in his career. .

We rarely played 4-4-2 under Weir and Clough

 

[Woodwardfan]

We rarely played 4-4-2 under Weir and Clough

Signed by Adams of course and played throughout Wilson's tenure, partnering McDonald in 4-4-2 most of that time as I recall.

We are evolving to 4-3-3 now anyway and any system needs a ball winner in central midfield as I see things. Without a leader and a competitor in the middle in any system a team would be rudderless. Without one holding position other players can hardly be released to go forward.

 

[Blade56]

Doyle=Monty=Brown

 

[Silent Blade]

Signed by Adams of course and played throughout Wilson's tenure, partnering McDonald in 4-4-2 most of that time as I recall.
.

You are right about this but he is now 34 years old and he is now too old to be one of the two CMs in the 4-4-2 formation and I have never really rated him too

 

[Fulwood Blade]

With respect Fulwood, you are missing the points made in two of the areas of the OP but you do accept the other third.

Doyle played in 4-4-2 often enough for us and in his career. As for offloading the ball quickly, nothing wrong with that, as long as possession is maintained. His big strength was competing for the ball and winning it then providing it to more skillfull players. Please do not discount the need for midfielders fighting the battle and keeping possession, that's not in the past it's here and now - in any team.

Added to that area, yesterday not a single player in midfield showed for the ball at any stage.

Doyle is 33 so it was right for him to go, but boy do we miss him because we have not replaced him, someone above is spot on there, but in truth our loss is Pompey's gain and another half a season would have reaped dividends as it turns out and Doyle would have jumped at the chance.

no I am not missing the point and I will clarify.

He was SHIT pre Clough in a 4 - he made me, (perhaps not you) fucking cross.

Clough sorted him out in a 5

He was part of the reason we got dumped from the division above in a 4 - and was shit in a 4 in this division.

UTB

 

[Woodwardfan]

You are right about this but he is now 34 years old and he is now too old to be one of the two CMs in the 4-4-2 formation and I have never really rated him too

no I am not missing the point and I will clarify.

He was SHIT pre Clough in a 4 - he made me, (perhaps not you) fucking cross.

Clough sorted him out in a 5

He was part of the reason we got dumped from the division above in a 4 - and was shit in a 4 in this division.

UTB

OK fellas, so who is doing the dirty unheralded jobs now and don't we need such a player now? That's the point of the OP not necessarily a big call to bring Doyle himself back, nowhere did I say that, indeed I said the opposite in fact.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

OK fellas, so who is doing the dirty unheralded jobs now and don't we need such a player now? That's the point of the OP not necessarily a big call to bring Doyle himself back, nowhere did I say that, indeed I said the opposite in fact.

Doyle type of player is the player we are missing . Fully agree with that . In saying that Doyle himself was lucky not to be shown the door the year we got relegated from the championship. We want someone flexible enough to play in any formation.

Is that player we are missing Dean Hammond.

UTB

 

[BushBlade]

OK fellas, so who is doing the dirty unheralded jobs now and don't we need such a player now? That's the point of the OP not necessarily a big call to bring Doyle himself back, nowhere did I say that, indeed I said the opposite in fact.

Then no one is disagreeing with you Woody. I think almost everyone would agree we need a good solid, vocal midfield organiser.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Then no one is disagreeing with you Woody. I think almost everyone would agree we need a good solid, vocal midfield organiser.

Ta Bush.

I believe it's the main priority in fact, way more important than central defence.

Also I'd go for a keeper before a central defender personally.

There's absolutely no protection in front or behind Messrs. Collins, Edgar, Kennedy, Basham, McGahey and co. when they are defending, not much from full back either. Central defence is not our weakest link IMO and even Brayford can play there if need be when he is fit.

 

[wizadry]

OK fellas, so who is doing the dirty unheralded jobs now and don't we need such a player now? That's the point of the OP not necessarily a big call to bring Doyle himself back, nowhere did I say that, indeed I said the opposite in fact.

The title of the thread clearly states missing Michael Doyle. We don't miss him but we do need a strong, pacy and technically sound midfielder, the problem there is getting someone with all the attributes required and getting them to play in league one. Morsy fits the description perfectly but there must be others who the scouts can pick up on. Maybe a loan move for Morsy with a view to a permanent in January would be the way forward for me.

 

[cal the blade]

One of the main reasons we are where we are is because as a club we are not ruthless enough and are happy to plod along and reward averageness. Doyle was passionate enough and nothing against him, but he played in several teams that couldn't gain promotion, absoloutely no reason to keep him IMO.

as much as i agree with that we have to come to the understanding we ARE average and average players come to average clubs. doyle did his job well, better than anyone weve got at the moment if he had been replaced with a like for like player who was CLEARLY better then i would accept that. but he hasnt and we lack a doyle player in midfield (bash isnt that man)

 

[Woodwardfan]

The title of the thread clearly states missing Michael Doyle. We don't miss him but we do need a strong, pacy and technically sound midfielder, the problem there is getting someone with all the attributes required and getting them to play in league one. Morsy fits the description perfectly but there must be others who the scouts can pick up on. Maybe a loan move for Morsy with a view to a permanent in January would be the way forward for me.

Hey, it's quite alright to admit we are missing the man, even if we don't disagree with his departure. We still have an urgent need to replace his type of player, that's the point. Our midfielders are like a flock of mindless sheep and don't know where to go or what to do without a shepherd or a sheep dog chivying them along and they fight their corner about as much as sheep do too.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Doyle was very much part of the problem not the cure. A few half decent games last year don't make me forget the poor performances in the previous few.

Agreed we need a combative midfield player but preferably one who can out strength an opponent, pass and tackle. These were all Doyle's apparent strengths yet he was no good at any of them.

Seems to have become a legend after his cockney walk last year but he'll always be a reminder to me of how far my expectations have been lowered. Paid a lot of money for what he did as well.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Hey, it's quite alright to admit we are missing the man, even if we don't disagree with his departure. We still have an urgent need to replace his type of player, that's the point. Our midfielders are like a flock of mindless sheep and don't know where to go or what to do without a shepherd or a sheep dog chivying them along and they fight their corner about as much as sheep do too.

Said my piece above but just remind me how many times we were promoted and relegated with Mr Doyle's excellent shepherding of our midfield?!

You might have come up with an idea though, replacing Doyle with a Border Collie would be an improvement.

 

[Bladesman]

We miss Michael Doyle? Have I entered an alternate reality?

Do we miss Nyron Nosworthy and Jordan Stewart as well?

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

I can say with confidence that Doyle would walk into our team right now. Which is embarrasing of course. Such a shame James Wallace is made of glass as he would have replaced him otherwise I think.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

You could argue that we miss Doyle. Same as you could argue that we missed Collins last season. We did because the team was weakened by losing the attributes they bring to the table. With Collins it was an aerial presence in both boxes. With Doyle it's an experienced, specialist defensive midfield player.

But more than a case of missing the individuals I think the issue is a failure to recruit adequate replacements. Both are average league 1 players and since we've been down here both have been players that the majority of our fans have wanted replacing. Letting them go is no good without a replacement. Doyle's probably not good enough anymore to play in a team serious about promotion from this league hence he's dropped a division. But we still have a gap there hence the clamour for Hammond.

I suppose you could say we're missing a good version of Michael Doyle. That might be better described as Stuart McCall, Gary Speed etc.

 

[super_pig]

we need a good box to box midfielder that can tackle AND pass.. was weird watching Jacob Mellis the other week. he would be perfect

 

[Darthblade]

Doyle was a limited footballer but a leader, a fighter and an honest player.

His 3 best qualities for me were:

1. Thorough experienced professional with awareness for the game, an organiser and a leader.
2. A tenacious battler who would often take on bullying sides single-handedly and cause friction and flash-points so fellow colleagues would stir themselves up. Yesterday the referee was content to allow Dale to bully us as long as the game simmered along and didn't boil over. Doyle deliberately made the game boil over so that the referee actually got a grip of everybody and stamped out any bad tackles thereafter. Once the referee was stirred the opposition had to hold back.
3. Doyle created an easy ball situation for every player in possession in any part of the pitch. He did that whether he was in good form or having a stinker.

Yesterday in our midfield in both halves we had nobody who did any of that. We miss Michael Doyle who was not everybody's cup of tea as a player but he had bottle and always gave 100% and our midfield would not have been so anonymous if he had been there yesterday. Our midfield was an embarrassment yesterday IMO.

What we really miss is the willingness of the Board / manager to address the glaringly obvious, long-term deficiencies in our squad, after rotting for 5 years in this bloody agricultural Division and manufacturing a self-imposed exile from the Championship, which is arguably our long-term natural level.
UTB & FTP