Michael Doyle

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Said he loved the club and calls us Sheffield United, not just Sheffield

I wish him all the very best and hope he gets a decent club

 

[Kenilworth]

Also interesting that when asked (about 5 mins in) if Clough is the right man for the job, rather than say "yes" he said something like "it's not really for me to say, that's the club's decision. As far as I'm aware, no matter what my opinion is, Nigel's going to be the manager next season."

Could just be bitterness at not getting a new deal, but I did feel that was interesting.

I read that as more diplomatic than anything LB - in that it's got nowt to do with him now. He's alway comes across as respectful and appreciates others - you can infer that because he will definitely have done what he said, i.e. gone to see a lot of people behind the scenes to say thank you for their support during his time at the club.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Hardly a ringing endorsement of Clough by Doyle, was it?

Does it matter? Players and managers have words, an age old tale. And if a player speaks harshly once he's no longer contracted to a club, why the surprise?

 

[Balham]

I was among his biggest critics but he got praise from me when Clough removed any sort of attacking responsibility from his role. He's a very dependable player but his best days are behind him and it's best for both parties if he moves on.

Thanks Michael - you've captained this club to some big results and on some big occasions and I wish you well for the future.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Someone had to pay the price, after the play-offs heart break.

He didn't play in the play-offs unfortunately.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I read that as more diplomatic than anything LB - in that it's got nowt to do with him now. He's alway comes across as respectful and appreciates others - you can infer that because he will definitely have done what he said, i.e. gone to see a lot of people behind the scenes to say thank you for their support during his time at the club.

A diplomatic response would have been something like "I think he's a good manager, but in terms of his future, that's not really for me to say". The lack of any praise whatsoever is, I think, very unusual if he does think well of Clough. Particularly as he'll be acutely aware of the pressure he is currently under.

 

[wizadry]

Yes you want players to be good enough and have natural ability but hard work, desire, pride, loyalty and commitment are the main thing true football fans are after. Michael Doyle has these qualities in abundance.

I prefer quality on a football pitch, does that mean i'm not a true football fan? The things you mention should be a norm on a football pitch and not what we're after. It was time for Doyle to go as he's not getting any younger and for me he can't do the job fully and is one of the many waste of a shirt players we have at the club, good luck to him though because he's a genuine bloke from what i can gather.

 

[bramptonblade]

Never forgiven Doyle and Collins for their inept performances in the relegation season! Thanks and see ya!
UTB!

 

[The Bohemian]

He divided opinion amongst fans but, within his limitations, I see him as one of our most consistently reliable performers over recent seasons. His contribution in the home, league, victory against Preston was one of my stand out performances of the season and even when he had an off day, you knew he was giving his all. He has struggled with the volume of games this season and at 34 I understand why he's not being retained.

He sounds genuinely forlorn in his interview; he's loved his time at the club, seems very appreciative of the supporters and clearly does not want to leave. I would certainly have appreciated the opportunity to acknowledge his efforts, as I expect the great majority of Blades fans would - even those who don't rate him.

Thank you Michael Doyle - Bladesman!

 

[Grappler]

One thing I heard, after Butler left, was that there was a training pitch bust up between Doyle and Butler, with Clough backing Butler and most of the rest of the team standing behind Doyle, not sure how true that was. Basham was always brought in to be the new Michael Doyle and James Wallace the new Connor Coady. Didn't work out that way.

I wish Doyle good luck, he always came across as an honest, loyal player, a rare thing these days, and with the fragile, weedy players we have (apart from the arrival of Steven Davies) he was the only enforcer on the pitch, never shyed away from a tackle, retaliated when an opposition player needed bringing down a peg or two, and has been said already, smashed it home against West Ham, and did the cockney walkabout.

Good luck Michael Doyle, in whatever the future holds for you.

 

[Pinchy]

We miss him when he is not there and he won't be there next season.

Thanks captain, nobody has tried harder than you, good luck wherever you go. I hope we find a player to lead the side and to hold the midfield together, filling in wherever needed, all that unheralded hardly noticeable stuff. Whoever that might be is not already at the club IMO. Positional play, good engine and 90 minute concentration all part of the package as is that bite and fight.

Yeah, who needs talent anyway?

 

[Pinchy]

Interesting with players like Doyle. hes averaged about 7/10 on Deadbat reports, but regularly got slated from the fans. Coutts has averaged about 4/10 but gets defended to the hilt.

Maybe some of us value our own opinions, unconditioned by Deadbat?

 

[Esablade]

Thanks for all the effort, a limited player for sure, but could have been different for everyone if players with more talent had Doyle's application, and heart.

 

[Pinchy]

Yes you want players to be good enough and have natural ability but hard work, desire, pride, loyalty and commitment are the main thing true football fans are after. Michael Doyle has these qualities in abundance.

And that is the very epitome of how Bladey Blades get it so very badly wrong.

It's about talent, mate. Ability. You know, the stuff that players and teams who win things have in abundance.

 

[sitwell]

You can have as much talent but without the aforementioned it is just a complete waste.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

I have never really been a fan of Doyle's, didn't like the snidey side of his game long before it got him sent off against Fulham. However I have to say that in general we have looked better when he has played this season, this is no reason to keep him though.

Heard a rumour he may be Portsmouth bound.

 

[Pinchy]

You can have as much talent but without the aforementioned it is just a complete waste.

That's a reasonably arguable point and I don't dismiss such qualities but none of the aforementioned will achieve anything of substance without talent. Absent talent, they ain't worth a hill of beans. Of all the qualities mentioned, talent is the sine qua non. Were it otherwise most Golden Labradors would be in the Premiership.

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

And that is the very epitome of how Bladey Blades get it so very badly wrong.

It's about talent, mate. Ability. You know, the stuff that players and teams who win things have in abundance.

It's about having the correct physical attributes. Talent? Yes, but it also needs to be combined with athleticism, pace, height and build (i.e. not being a crock). For instance Paul Lake had talent in abundance but had a body made of glass.

 

[Pinchy]

It's about having the correct physical attributes. Talent? Yes, but it also needs to be combined with athleticism, pace, height and build (i.e. not being a crock). For instance Paul Lake had talent in abundance but had a body made of glass.

I agree, mate, it's just the absurd notion that talent is an optional extra that makes me chuckle. The 11 most gifted footballers in the world would have the 11 fittest, most athletic, most committed, most loyal, most driven players, begging for mercy before half-time and they'd do it drinking a pint and smoking a fag. That's the relative importance of the qualities in issue. Only certain SUFC supporters would think the matter even capable of argument, sad to say.

 

[RossoDeltic]

Not sure where I stood with Doyle until the Crewe debacle. There was a game this season, maybe Doncaster Rovers away where he came on early for Wallace and had a decent game.
He definitely was a player who divided opinion.

 

[Pinchy]

I've always thought players' opinions of a manager completely worthless. Those who are getting picked think he's the bee's knees; those who aren't...

 

[Woodwardfan]

Interview with Doyle here:
https://audioboom.com/boos/3178151-...field-united-in-the-summer-sufc-twitterblades

I haven't heard it yet, but supposedly he only found out this morning that he was leaving.

He is a gentleman and a diplomat as you would expect.

good interviewer coaxed out a couple of things:

1. " No matter what my opinion Nigel Clough will be in charge next season"
2. "Danny Wilson is the best manager I have ever played for"
3. He only found out today but obviously realised how the wind was blowing, the manager naturally has a preference to play his own signings but yes he thinks he could still contribute next season.
4. He has "fallen in love " with the club which is a part of his heart.

Enough said but you wouldn't expect Doyle to be totally enamoured with a manager who a few weeks ago said he was leaving him out to avoid suspension through further bookings when all along he wanted to play other players.

Wonder what Done thought about his "shin splints" or was it his "groin problem" when he was actually sat on the bench 7 times?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The 11 most gifted footballers in the world would have the 11 fittest, most athletic, most committed, most loyal, most driven players, begging for mercy before half-time and they'd do it drinking a pint and smoking a fag. That's the relative importance of the qualities in issue. Only certain SUFC supporters would think the matter even capable of argument, sad to say.

Couldn't disagree more. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't apply yourself then you're contributing nothing.

Half-time in that game: Talent 0 Effort 4 - with double figures beckoning as Talent spit the dummy second half.

 

[Pinchy]

Couldn't disagree more. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't apply yourself then you're contributing nothing.

Half-time in that game: Talent 0 Effort 4 - with double figures beckoning as Talent spit the dummy second half.

You can disagree all you want, but you're wrong. The best players are in the best teams - they win the trophies.

 

[TomMounsey]

I prefer quality on a football pitch, does that mean i'm not a true football fan? The things you mention should be a norm on a football pitch and not what we're after. It was time for Doyle to go as he's not getting any younger and for me he can't do the job fully and is one of the many waste of a shirt players we have at the club, good luck to him though because he's a genuine bloke from what i can gather.

And that is the very epitome of how Bladey Blades get it so very badly wrong.

It's about talent, mate. Ability. You know, the stuff that players and teams who win things have in abundance.

My point was made in relation to someone pointing out that on forum ratings Doyle consistently scored higher than other players with undoubtedly greater ability. I was saying that fans appreciate that certain players have their limitations but they don't forgive a lack of effort and desire.

Think of how we played in the second half against Tottenham at home and the atmosphere during that match, that wasn't because we were playing brilliant football and all our fans were in awe of the ability of our players but it was because the team looked like they were going to fight to the death for our club.

 

[FTPE]

I personally thought he was garbage, an ok leader, good talker both on the field and to the press, always gave 100% effort but quality wise it was like having a less mobile Monty back. Thanks for the hard work Doyle, nice to hear he fell in love with the club, but it was time to move on and get some quality in that will get us promoted. Plus I bet he was one of our top 3 earners and if he was going to be a squad player next season then that's a bit of a waste, especially sat on the bench with lads like Che and Lewin who will be on half his salary.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I've always thought players' opinions of a manager completely worthless. Those who are getting picked think he's the bee's knees; those who aren't...

Really? I always found it interesting that the majority of Warnock's ex-players would speak highly of him when no longer under his management - this despite him dividing opinion so much.

 

[metalblade]

Good luck to him but he was out of contract and is getting on a bit so no real surprise he is being released, same applies to Collins. Very interesting that he refused to endorse Clough when given the chance.

 

[Harry's Game]

A true 100 % man, probably the right time for him to go as we are in rebuild phase, but I will always remember him as the man who deserved to have captained us to promotion in 2012 when we were cheated out of it.

Good luck Doyley.

 

[Pinchy]

My point was made in relation to someone pointing out that on forum ratings Doyle consistently scored higher than other players with undoubtedly greater ability. I was saying that fans appreciate that certain players have their limitations but they don't forgive a lack of effort and desire.

Think of how we played in the second half against Tottenham at home and the atmosphere during that match, that wasn't because we were playing brilliant football and all our fans were in awe of the ability of our players but it was because the team looked like they were going to fight to the death for our club.

Oh dear. You're just making it worse now.

Putting a premium on battling mediocrity. It's the Bladesfans' Way.

Upanatem. Gerritintbox.

I despair.