Central midfield

Felt sorry for Doyle last night with some of the abuse aimed in his direction. Hung out dry by his manager yet again and he takes the flak for it. Christ there were some having a go every time he touched the ball regardless of whether he made a mistake or not.

 

I'm not surprised, the attitude that he's being misused is old already, he might not be super amazing as a sole striker, but that's no excuse for looking utterly, utterly useless.

 

He has no attributes to play either the lone striker or the number 10 role, i wish someone would tell our manager. There again he isn't the only one in this team whose salary doesn't match his input in games.

 

Exactly the point.lasy night typified the sheer scale of the problem last season's team had in terms of quitting rather than digging in and fighting.

If things aren't perfect, as typified by Doyle playing a role he isn't perfect for, then there just isn't any desire.

I cannot wait to see the back of every single player involved last season.

Clean slate my arse. These lads are mental weaklings and embarrassing.

 

We've had some pearlers over the years haven't we? Remember the new Nahki Wells, the goal machine Aaron Maclean. It took a few weeks for the initiated amongst us to realise he was utter crap but as usual the too blind to see used every excuse for his failings. I think it was the Sheffield Utd game when after yet more complete miscontrol the crowd finally turned. I remember thinking 'where have you lot been, its not like he's just turned crap overnight'. I get that with Doyle, seems like a nice chap but even in the bottom division offers very little on the field to consider picking in the side. I actually hope he gets a move to where a manager will play him alongside a big target man, that way he gets a go in the last chance saloon, because if he doesn't show anything its then goodnight from him.

 

Poor comment with very little substance...!

 

Doyle will cost Bowyer his job if he keeps picking him, much like Anderson

 

He got stick for not beating Clarke in the air when balls were aimlessly pumped into him. Crazy.

 

Why is he allowed to not even nearly win aerial balls against a 5'11 defender again?

Is it that inch height disadvantage, or the fact we have to accept that Doyle would sooner jump out of the way than actually challenge for a ball either on the turf or in the air?

It's not acceptable to just say "Doyle doesn't really want to challenge and therefore isn't physical enough to win a lofted ball" and excuse it. He's a professional athlete. Challenge, and win. Nobody cares if he's supposedly good at toe-poking a football past a goalkeeper from two yards out - great, I'm sure he'll be there to do that when the time comes, but meanwhile, how about making sure he beats players like Tom Clarke?

 

He has a job to do for the team, however he is told to play. It has to be down to attitude and the ability to create for others, even if not receiving ideal service. Don't see how GB could be blameless in his contribution either.His job is to get the best out of his players. Incidentally, he harps on about trusting in players he has worked with previously and that plan seems to be a no-goer to me and to the team.

 

He was laughable RT. I've said it before but I remember the shooting drills pre game and I kid you not it was the worst example of finishing I've seen anywhere, could go down the park and see kids finish better. It got to a point where I would feel sorry for him when everybody else was knocking them in and the nearest he would get was the NW corner stand.

 

You must have been sat near me , it was embarrassing.

 

Rightly so, utter waste of space.

 

Doyle's performances this season and to an extent last season have been embarrassing. It's not like the money from our season tickets pays his wages or anything..

 

I don’t get the clamour for a “Midfield enforcer “ against Cambridge we had 60% possession but created very little what we need is a player to get forward and create not sit back at the edge of his own box and make short square passes. We have the firepower we need someone to load the gun

 

I think we need both type of players. The league games have shown that we've nothing in the way of creativity in midfield, nobody who is willing to pass the ball forwards or drive with it. But when we come up against the better sides who is going to be the defensive midfielder? Because not one of them can make a tackle.

 

Agree need both, however: I think a creative one who could chip in with a few goals, would be my priority, if we could only afford one

 

The reason we're packing out the midfield and are set up to keep it tight in the first place is because we don't have a midfield enforcer. This is having an adverse effect on our attacking play as A) Our more attack minded players are subject to more defensive roles and B) our best attacking player has to sit out.

Bring in a proper DM and we won't need 2 or 3 players doing a one man job. This will free us up in other positions, give the likes of Palmer more license and provide great flexibility with formation.

 

I think we need a proper defensive/holding mid as there's potential and creativity in Palmer and Gibson, if only they weren't as restrained by having to sit so deep