Doyle, Crewe, Baxter

[Going up]

Is it Baxter's defining moment?

We had the Crewe moment that changed the course of our previous season.

We had the moment after Doyle let himself, the management and the side down. The moment that, despite his limitations, has turned Doyle into a true leader. His interview last year said it all and his actions were backed up by crunching tackles and effort on the pitch (for we all know talk is cheap)

To me, today is Baxter's defining moment. He has let himself, the manager and team down. Possibly the 2 points missed will cost us dearly at the end of the season.

From this day forward, he either buckles down, puts in a shift, brings his "A" game, every game, or he gets left behind for good. Looking at the past 4 games, the spirited fightback and the January trades, this is a team, a new set of players and manager on the march.

My guess is that Baxter and his talents will never go on to truly develop to their fullest potential. My hope is that he will take a long hard look in the mirror and just as the Captain did, Jose will use this as a life -changing, career-changing, moment.

 

[KingSlayers]

Management putting so much hope into him, for me, has given him a sense of entitlement to being on the team sheet.

Come the end of the season, if we're sitting in the number 2 spot or promoted through play offs with a respectable contribution from Baxter then I'll be chuffed, but I don't see it. Luxury player is all for me right now.

But that's just the opinion of a fellow insomniac Blade .

 

[mattbianco1]

The moment that, despite his limitations, has turned Doyle into a true leader.

I never like it when people say this about Doyle. It was the same with Montgomery's "limitations".

Central defenders don't get have "limitations" in passing and scoring. They have their own qualities - stopping goals. Michael Doyle's job is to break up play. He does this fantastically well and has done since he signed for us. His qualities as a defensive midfielder are similar to the defenders - stop attacks and goals.

The problem with Doyle is previous managers (Adams & Wilson in particular) that expected him to be a creative midfield player too. This isn't Michael Doyle's game nor is it his job. It is because of this that people moan about him. If they had used him as Clough has done and basically said "sit deep, win the ball and give it to the nearest player", I doubt there would be any doubters with him.

Doyle has improved massively since his red card vs. Fulham but is it truly down to the dismissal or more to do with the fact that more creative midfielders were joining the club at that point in time? Scougall for example and Coady was given a more box-to-box role.

 

[Going up]

I never like it when people say this about Doyle. It was the same with Montgomery's "limitations".

Central defenders don't get have "limitations" in passing and scoring. They have their own qualities - stopping goals. Michael Doyle's job is to break up play. He does this fantastically well and has done since he signed for us. His qualities as a defensive midfielder are similar to the defenders - stop attacks and goals.

The problem with Doyle is previous managers (Adams & Wilson in particular) that expected him to be a creative midfield player too. This isn't Michael Doyle's game nor is it his job. It is because of this that people moan about him. If they had used him as Clough has done and basically said "sit deep, win the ball and give it to the nearest player", I doubt there would be any doubters with him.

Doyle has improved massively since his red card vs. Fulham but is it truly down to the dismissal or more to do with the fact that more creative midfielders were joining the club at that point in time? Scougall for example and Coady was given a more box-to-box role.

I'm a Doyle fan. His limitations are only in the technical gifts that some others have. He certainly has the holding place locked up for me. His heart and brain make up for any lack of skills.

My argument is if Jose can take Doyle's lead and learn from his mistakes, he could have a part in this team, if not, I fear that he will be left behind.

 

[Lawrence]

I also like Doyle, always gives 100% he is a holding midfielder so no need for any fancy stuff, BUT don't you think lately he seems to have lost that extra yard? It is the nature of any holding midfielder to do a lot of work, run that extra mile! He is our captain and does play every game so is it down to fatigue? Maybe down to all the tough (cup) games we have played - Baxter on the other hand was brought in to be a playmaker but then used by NC as a striker? a couple of great defence busting passes aside, he realy has done very little and has always looked a yard short, hence the late tackle on Saturday? The question as been asked many times before on here 'Is he fit?' I would also have expected him to have contrbuted with a few more goals, we have all been waiting patiently for him to show-up all season I think it is now time.

 

[Woodwardfan]

United need a playmaker. I always saw Baxter playing that role but the weekend incident is the low point of a relatively poor season for him.

I honestly think Clough thought Scougall, Baxter and Murphy would go from strength to strength following on from last season and that Wallace would complement them.

Murphy took a while to find his form and it came eventually but Baxter and Scougall were key to 4-5-1 succeeding as well. Ryce has been in and out as has Flynn when in midfield.

Let's hope Baxter comes back in the mood to make amends.