discussing michael doyles importance to notts

[liampie]

follow up to the excellently written piece by simon clark, i wonder what other fans thoughts are?

how important is micheal doyle now to notts county?

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

He is the best man for the anchor role in our midfield. Jim O'Brien and Regan Booty can play that role if they wanted to, but they are more suited to the forward thinking passing role and hurtling forward to support the forwards.

Doyle can bring the ball out from the back when the centre backs split. 

He's not just that guy who spreads the butter connecting defence and attack, but he makes them crucial interceptions when the opposition start going forward in numbers, as Ebbsfleet were on Saturday in the 2nd half.

He can dictate the tempo of the play, something that's important in home games, plus he can take the pressure of the centre backs playing out from the back

[heraldmagpie]

Not many can organise the squad on the pitch as well as Michael Doyle does, that alone is worth a shirt.

[cheeky~k8]

Others can play the role too but its good how hes spoke out.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I still think it's more important to be pushing Regan Booty, however, I do see how his experience and recent form does help the club.

This will most likely be his last season for Notts.

I hope he wants to end his career with a bang, and I don't mean elbowing or kicking an opposition player. Sorry Michael, you've walked into this one. I do value what you bring, I'm just unsure if you would be guaranteed a start if I was Neal Ardley.

[Joshua]

I think he has an important role when he can avoid getting sent off, hes one of those players that can get others around them performing to their best.

[cheeky~k8]

When he plays well he is important.

[Ex Pat Bluebird]

Hi all.  Hope you dont mind me entering this debate and I did attend the game on Saturday.  Firstly just want to say that if we appeared a little exuberant on the day it wasn't meant in any disrespectful way. For most of us it was the effect of playing in a proper football ground against a proper football team.  It was also a proper football match and when you come out on top in those circumstances its always memorable. 

My reason for posting was simply because I'd also come to the conclusion that Ian Evatt had specifically targeted Doyle a fact that IE confirmed after the game as he saw him as both a very good player and the pivotal link between your defence (which looked vulnerable) and your attack (which looked very potent).  Effectively denying space and harrying the midfield in particular in the second half denied your forwards any decent ball and they didn't actually do much wrong. 

Other teams may now look at this as a means of countering County though on Saturday the plan worked perfectly partly because of the two early goals. Bear in mind also we had no game the previous Saturday and had clearly done the homework. It also looked a bit like County tired towards the end - the pitch was in good shape but with the recent weather would've sapped energy.  

We had a serious problem when Evatt joined us last year in that he brought a very attractive attacking style of play to the club which looked really good until we came up against bigger more physical sides who were able to counter and expose a more fragile defence. To this day we will struggle more against a Halifax or a Solihull than we will against a Bromley or a Notts County. So there may be some similarities with County itself currently.  The lessons he eventually learned and the primary reason why we have improved significantly is that he had to introduce a Plan B to sacrifice some of his preferred flair, pace and attacking intent by developing the strength and physicality of the defence/midfield. This, like it or not is the hallmark of the division.  Didn't change things massively but invested in building capability in central defence and restructuring the midfield and create more defined sweeper (Jason Taylor) and play maker (John Rooney) roles. The difference this has made has been significant.  Everyone points to the forwards like Quigley or Angus as scoring more goals but its the service they receive without massively compromising defence that is really the difference.    

Hope i'm not preaching but the message I guess is dont flay your forwards for not creating chances; having Thomas, Booty, Wooton and Dennis you are the envy of many of us. But they cant do much if they re not receiving quick ball. For the Barrow stalwarts it was the closing down of space in midfield that was the most enjoyable aspect of our game. 

Notwithstanding it was nice to be able to re-engage with a club I haven't watched (Iive) in 50 years and I hope to make the trip up to HS for the return. If any of you can remember as far back as 1970 I can tell you that road into Barrow has changed dramatically but unfortunately the ground hasn't. For those that will make the journey and wanting a beer or a meal suggest you head either for the Duke of Edinburgh hotel or the Railway Tavern. Both are within easy walking distance of Holker Street.

Best of luck for the rest of the season. 

 

[Wilfordpie]

He's a good player, but one who relies on the younger legs around him to perform better.

He wasn't the worst player on the pitch against Barrow, its just he might be one of the easiest to blame. A lot like Enzio Boldewijn.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

4 hours ago, Ex Pat Bluebird said:

Hope i'm not preaching but the message I guess is dont flay your forwards for not creating chances; having Thomas, Booty, Wooton and Dennis you are the envy of many of us. But they cant do much if they re not receiving quick ball. For the Barrow stalwarts it was the closing down of space in midfield that was the most enjoyable aspect of our game. 

Not at all, an outside view does help to restore some balance.

The way Barrow shut the shop for Notts, quickly breaking down attacks were impressive to see. I have not been so impressed by a team all season, it gives the club something to learn from.

[Countyman]

I would have given the armband to Mitch Rose to be perfectly honest, I think Michael Doyle has done well at times. His form is nowhere near the standard deserving to be a regular, that said his experience is important. He just needs to keep his head together.

[AmericanPie]

It sounds like Michael Doyle could do with playing further up the pitch.

He can still be defensive, but by not playing deep he will give more space. I think his experience is useful, some seem content to just blame him. If everyone is struggling or the teams in poor form, any player his age would struggle.

[OoooooTommy]

Michael Doyle has a role to play within the Notts squad.

Someone younger needs to be the creativity and advanced player, I would rather see Doyle be used as a sitting player who connects the defence to the midfield. I cringe when I see him going forward.