Barnsley Midfielder Nathan Doyle had a season to forget this season which resulted in him being released at the end of the season.
Doyle, a firm favourite under previous boss Mark Robins, began the season starting in central midfield. The reds were struggling early on and Keith Hill seemed to think Doyle wouldn`t fit in to the reds boss style of play.
Out went Doyle and results improved. Frustrated with life on the side lines it was mutually agreed for Doyle to go out on loan to Preston.
Injuries and players leaving meant that when Doyle returned he worked his way back in to the team, although the feeling amongst the fans was that Hill was picking him due to a lack of options rather than his ability as a player.
After spending many a day in the pub debating the merits of Barnsley players, Doyle seems to me to be the one that split the fans opinion more than ever. Some feel he can do no wrong and the effort and commitment he shows makes him a must on the team sheet.
Others feel that despite being willing to run around a lot and get stuck in, his lack of technical ability and poor short passing game make him too much of liability to pick.
I feel that this season wasn`t his best but his chances to impress were limited. Overall I would give him 5/10 for the season but what is your opinion?
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harsh world this footie world, a bad season and off he goes!
I wouldnt say one bad season, i would say every season he wore a red shirt. The idea that he splits opinion baffles me as i think he is one of the worst players i have ever seen at Oakwell. Yes he I willing to get stuck in but he has a habit of hiding from the ball when the games going badly, is incapable of playing a pass in front of a man and is far too often a liability with the amount of unnecessary bookings and red cards he picks up. So really when you strip it down all he has going for him is his ability to make a tackle and when you have someone like David Perkins who can nip and steal a ball better than Doyle at half his size (and considering Doyle was one of our bigger earners) i say good riddance, never good enough and never will be
I like your straight to the point, no sitting on the fence attitude. However I know a lot of Barnsley fans who were big admirers of Doyle and I’m sure some of them will want to respond to these comments.
I Cant believe what i have just seen, SheffRed obvioulsy hasn’t got a clue about football. Doyle may not be the most naturally gifted player but he gives alot. he gives 100% effort and gives your team stability, he sits and protects the back four, wins the ball and does the simple pass to the more creative players. Hill Realised this towards the end of last season and that is why he came back into the team
Most teams play with a player like this, Chelsea with Obi, Arsenal with Song and Man City wih De Jong. I am not saying Doyle is in the same class as those players but is a decent championship player especially for a team with our buget.
I take it the view from the Ponty End isn’t terrific is it? If it was you would see that Doyle did not give 100% effort, if the game was going well he would, if not he would go missing only to emerge now and then with a reckless challenge or to hammer the ball out of play when a simple pass was on. He came back into the team when we had an injury crisis that decimated our midfield and then quickly found himself back out of it as a result of his own ridiculous attempts at a tackle. Your saying i know nothing about football but to call Doyle a “decent championship player” is proof in itself that you know even less!
Can you respond to that OraStandFan? Do any other Barnsley fans have an opinion? These two differ from one end if the spectrum to the other. It would be interesting to get more fans views on this.