Michael Doyle: Pompey promotion drives me '“ not awards

Michael Doyle toasted being crowned Pompey's player of the season'“ and targeted a play-off medal to accompany it.
Gary Roberts, left, congratulates Michael Doyle on his The News & Sports Mail player of the year trophy. Picture: Joe PeplerGary Roberts, left, congratulates Michael Doyle on his The News & Sports Mail player of the year trophy. Picture: Joe Pepler
Gary Roberts, left, congratulates Michael Doyle on his The News & Sports Mail player of the year trophy. Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues’ skipper beat close friend Ben Davies to The News/Sports Mail accolade by just 16 votes.

Fittingly, the pair had nominated each other in the club’s players’ player of the season, which will be revealed at the end of season dinner tonight.

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Doyle, who was rested from the starting line-up for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Northampton Town, has made 48 appearances and scored twice since arriving in the summer.

Yet he has set his heart on making it a double.

He said: ‘I am shocked but delighted to receive it.

‘We have had some outstanding players this year and to be even mentioned with them is great.

‘I am delighted, absolutely chuffed, especially coming from the fans, it means a lot. I’d like to thank everyone for voting.

‘To be honest, I’m not a massive fan of these sort of awards – the one thing that will make me most satisfied is getting this club promoted.

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‘I am not the type that will be craving it. I would rather see other players get the applause.

‘The main thing for me is to try to get promotion.

‘I am absolutely desperate, it has come down to the crunch and I cannot wait for those two games against Plymouth.

‘I will put this trophy pride of place at home – and I hope I have a medal to go with it as well.

‘You look at some of the names on there, it just goes to show where the club has been and where it has come from. I am honoured.

‘There are legends and unbelievable company.

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Peter Crouch, Alan Knight, David James, Glen Johnson, some of them have represented England.

‘The Pompey fans know their football and I am delighted.

‘I just hope I can play a part in giving them one back.’

For only the second time this season Doyle did not feature for Pompey in a League Two encounter.

Paul Cook felt it necessary not to risk the midfielder, Christian Burgess or Enda Stevens for the visit of the champions with the play-offs approaching.

Meanwhile, Doyle is thankful his goal for personal consistency appears to have satisfied the Fratton faithful.

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He added: ‘Flair players usually pick up these awards and rightly so because they have the hardest jobs trying to score the goals.

‘But this type of club likes people to work hard and dig in for the team and we’ve got a lot of lads who do that.

‘The fans want to see some passion, hard work and desire as well as the good stuff.

‘Throughout my career the one word that has always been in my head is “consistency”.

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‘I’ve always had that, I feel I have been a consistent performer and that is all I try to do.

‘You are probably never going to be man-of-the-match every week but just be consistent. Go and do your job. In my career that is one thing I have always tried to have.

‘Luckily for me people in the stands have observed that and felt I have performed well. And I really thank them.’