Kevin Doyle

[gustavo]

I think Wenger has accepted that vP tends to miss a lot of games, so Doyle could be a great signing. Think about it: if you're an Arsenal fan and you've got a tricky away game and one fit striker - would you prefer Bendtner up top on his own, or Doyle?
I'd say they're about even tbh

[Stuttgart88]

Doyle has been applauded by all commentators this season. Bendtner has been derided by most, including his own fans.

I'm an Arsenal fan and I can see Bendtner has some merits - his hold up play is decent for example - but at times he has been totally and utterly hapless. I mean real rubbish. Despite scoring a good goal against Liverpool in the Carling Cup QF(?) he was a laibility all night, finding Liverpool players with short passes all the time. Likewise against Burnley this year when he was laughed off the pitch. Same against Villa last season. He gets a few goals but I reckon most forwards would score goals for Arsenal. He does seem to play better for Denmark though.

Paul O'S (long time mate..): 2 headers in the Barcelona tie summed up Bendtner for me: a gilt-edged chance in the home leg when it was set up perfectly for him. When easier to score he headed it straight at Valdez. In the away game a great cross came in from the left and he still contrived to hit the post, only to be reprieved by an offside flag. His goal in Barcelona showed good tenacity (and agility as you say) but he should probably have stuck the first chance away. He scored a similarly tenacious goal against Porto. But he just needs so many chances to score.

For me Doyle is better at leading the line, better at heading the ball despite being shorter, and better, or at least more consistent, as an all round footballer. Even if there was nothing in it, Doyle's attitude and application is better. I reckon Bendtner may be a better athlete but Doyle is a smarter player - I've always felt he's like Larsson in all respects.

The new guy Chamakh from Bordeaux looks very strong in the air, despite not being huge.

[Razors left peg]

Was askin an English mate of mine over the weekend what he thought of the Doyle rumours to Arsenal. Hes a season ticket holder there and I was expecting him to laugh it off, but he reckoned Doyle is exactly the type of player they need, he rated him very highly.But he thinks that Chamakh signing means that it wont happen.... he hates Bentner by the way

[Crosby87]

Was askin an English mate of mine over the weekend what he thought of the Doyle rumours to Arsenal. Hes a season ticket holder there and I was expecting him to laugh it off, but he reckoned Doyle is exactly the type of player they need, he rated him very highly.But he thinks that Chamakh signing means that it wont happen.... he hates Bentner by the way

He was probably being polite to your face Razor. You need to adjust your sarcasm meter. You know he and his mates had a good laugh when you walked away. No good Irish Players, haha.

[Razors left peg]

He was probably being polite to your face Razor. You need to adjust your sarcasm meter. You know he and his mates had a good laugh when you walked away. No good Irish Players, haha.

Yapster has gone to a whole new level, he gone from completely taking over threads to now taking over people accounts too :D

[gustavo]

I still think that had Bendtner being playing for a lesser club too he would be receiving plaudits too

[Stuttgart88]

I don't know gus. I think with his goals to chances ratio he'd be about as (un)impressive as Ellmander at club level. I do think Bendtner's got something about him but he is exasperating a lot of the time, in a way I doubt Doyle would be. His late-season flurry of goals may have bought him a bit more time and Arsenal's priorities lie elsewhere.

[ifk101]

Bendtner versus Doyle. It's like comparing day and night. :D

Doyle is a team player. There's no ego there, he'll put in the tireless work shift, offer himself for the team and follow team instructions to the letter.

Bendtner is the exact opposite but Wenger will persist with him as there is a footballing ability there that could potentially make him one of the better strikers in the game.

[Serb]

There's another point to make in the Doyle v Bendtner argument: Bendtner is not quite the player Doyle is right now, but there's almost 5 years between the two players. Bendtner was 22 in January and Doyle will be 27 by the time next season rolls around. Doyle is in his prime and at Bendtner's age, rather than scoring goals versus Barcelona and Liverpool, he was sticking them away versus Bray Wanderers and Longford.

Sure, it didn't do him any harm, I like Doyle and I think he's a good player, but I can't help but feel, by the time Bendtner is 26 or 27, he'll be a lot better player than Doyle is right now. Like ifk101 says, a lot of the faith shown in Bendter now will pay dividends not too far down the line.

[Brendan 82]

Why has this thread developed into a Bendtner vs Doyle thread? I hate this forum sometimes

[irishfan86]

Why has this thread developed into a Bendtner vs Doyle thread? I hate this forum sometimes

There are/were rumours about Doyle going to Arsenal. It is only natural to compare Doyle to Arsenal's strikers to see if he would improve their squad.

[Brendan 82]

There are/were rumours about Doyle going to Arsenal. It is only natural to compare Doyle to Arsenal's strikers to see if he would improve their squad.

I guess so man; it is a very tenuous rumour though is it not? And Bendtner is 5 years younger than Doyle as someone said, so comparisons are a bit stupid in my opinion.

[irishfan86]

I guess so man; it is a very tenuous rumour though is it not? And Bendtner is 5 years younger than Doyle as someone said, so comparisons are a bit stupid in my opinion.

It's the off-season now with the exception of three of our players in cup finals. What the hell else are we going to talk about until August on an Irish soccer forum?

[Brendan 82]

It's the off-season now with the exception of three of our players in cup finals. What the hell else are we going to talk about until August on an Irish soccer forum?

Oh sh1t, I don't know man... How about discussing the actual merits of a player without reverting to meaningless and pathetic comparisons? Ah nevermind actually. I'm over to the Sean St.Ledger thread to see how he rates against Michael Dawson. Carry on

[Serb]

I'm over to the Sean St.Ledger thread to see how he rates against Michael Dawson. Carry on

Is St. Ledger on his way to Spurs?

Like irishfan86 said, the reason he's being compared is the rumour of him going to Arsenal. I'll admit that the signing of Chamakh pretty much rules out Doyle going there, but the comparisons have merit based on him being a potential competitor for Doyle's place in the team.

[John83]

It's the off-season now with the exception of three of our players in cup finals. What the hell else are we going to talk about until August on an Irish soccer forum?
I'd be careful saying that on the biggest LoI forum around. :p

[yapster]

Doyle is more suited to the likes of Everton or Villa at best, good honest pro but is not top drawer sadly. If he did go to a top club he would be sat on the bench most of the time. Everton would be his best option if they want him. His lack of goals is worrying but his workrate is commendable.

[Charlie Darwin]

He could do with scoring more goals, but he still got over a 1/4 of his team's total this season. That's quite impressive for one player.

[geysir]

"He would be sat on the bench"

What is it about the English and their "was sat"?
"I was sat on the bench for that game"
but I never heard the future conditional use of the past.

[yapster]

He could do with scoring more goals, but he still got over a 1/4 of his team's total this season. That's quite impressive for one player.


9 goals is not in the least impressive for a striker of Doyle's caliber,

[Razors left peg]

9 goals is not in the least impressive for a striker of Doyle's caliber,

he should get more goals but he can only score with the chances that are created by the team, Torres would struggle to get much more than that with Wolves. They have done very well but they could never be accused of playing all out attackin football

[republicofwhite]

Typical Yapster idiocy, presented withe an extremely impressive statistic(by any striker's standards) and indeed, it might have been closer to a third of the Wolves total, and he still manages to come up with a cretinous and disengenuous putdown.

[yapster]

It is not a putdown it is a statistic! I don't think you can compare Doyle with Torres either. I have praised Doyle for his workrate and his attitude so I am not putting down the lad. Yes he would score more with an endless supply, anyone would. I just think he needs to score more for club & country. Hopefully he will move to a club where he can fulfill his potential as a striker.

[Charlie Darwin]

I actually think Torres is a decent comparison in terms of the job they're expected to do. Torres would score more than 9 goals for Wolves, no question, because he's one of the most complete players in world football, but Liverpool do often struggle when Torres is isolated up front the way Doyle has been for Wolves. Hopefully, if he stays at Wolves, they do pick up a couple of players in the Hunt mould who can link up with Doyle and provide him more chances.

[Stuttgart88]

He only got 2 goals in Ireland's last campaign but his contribution was much better than that. Doyle was played upfront alone in a struggling team. He did well enough I reckon. How many goals did Wolves' other forwards score?

[irishfan86]

He only got 2 goals in Ireland's last campaign but his contribution was much better than that. Doyle was played upfront alone in a struggling team. He did well enough I reckon. How many goals did Wolves' other forwards score?

Here are the stats from Wolves' "strikers"

(League stats only)

Doyle: 9 goals in in 33 starts, 1 sub appearance
Ebanks-Blake: 2 goals in 13 starts, 10 sub appearances
Keogh: 1 goal in 8 starts, 5 sub appearances
Maierhofer: 1 goal in 1 start, 7 sub appearances
Iwelumo: 0 goals in 2 starts, 13 sub appearances
Volks: 0 goals in 5 sub appearances


Their second top scorer after Doyle was their captain (centre-half), Craddock, with 5 goals in 33 starts, with Jarvis (winger) coming in third place with 3 goals in 30 starts and 4 sub appearances.

http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/Playerappearancesandgoals/0,,10307,00.html


It really is a miracle they managed to stay in the league considering the complete inability of the team to score goals.

[yapster]

Here are the stats from Wolves' "strikers"

(League stats only)

Doyle: 9 goals in in 33 starts, 1 sub appearance
Ebanks-Blake: 2 goals in 13 starts, 10 sub appearances
Keogh: 1 goal in 8 starts, 5 sub appearances
Maierhofer: 1 goal in 1 start, 7 sub appearances
Iwelumo: 0 goals in 2 starts, 13 sub appearances
Volks: 0 goals in 5 sub appearances


Their second top scorer after Doyle was their captain (centre-half), Craddock, with 5 goals in 33 starts, with Jarvis (winger) coming in third place with 3 goals in 30 starts and 4 sub appearances.

http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/Playerappearancesandgoals/0,,10307,00.html


It really is a miracle they managed to stay in the league considering the complete inability of the team to score goals.


The amount of goals scored is pathetic really,but I'm delighted they stayed up because of McCarthy.

[SilkCut]

I actually think Torres is a decent comparison in terms of the job they're expected to do. Torres would score more than 9 goals for Wolves, no question, because he's one of the most complete players in world football, but Liverpool do often struggle when Torres is isolated up front the way Doyle has been for Wolves. Hopefully, if he stays at Wolves, they do pick up a couple of players in the Hunt mould who can link up with Doyle and provide him more chances.

Oh dear. Doyle is expected to hold the ball up to help out the wolves midfield and defense. Their system is simple "keep the ball as far away as possible from our goal!" fair play to Doyle he did it well and Wolves stayed up.
Torres is expexted to score a hatful of goals and link the midfield into the Liverpool attack, when on form he does that better than anyone. The fact he was injured so often is reflected in Liverpools poor finish.
Completely different expectations.

[Stuttgart88]

It's not very scientific, but it just warmed my heart to turn on R5 Live at 10pm to hear the match summarisers after the Liverpool 0-0 draw to refer to "the outstanding Doyle". Every newspaper or other media report I read said exactly the same. Forwards can play well without scoring.

[geysir]

And the fact that he got many such reviews playing on his own against competent defenses. If there was an award for 'signing of the season' surely he would be a top contender.

[Colbert Report]

And the fact that he got many such reviews playing on his own against competent defenses. If there was an award for 'signing of the season' surely he would be a top contender.

Richard Dunne maybe?

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh dear. Doyle is expected to hold the ball up to help out the wolves midfield and defense. Their system is simple "keep the ball as far away as possible from our goal!" fair play to Doyle he did it well and Wolves stayed up.
Torres is expexted to score a hatful of goals and link the midfield into the Liverpool attack, when on form he does that better than anyone. The fact he was injured so often is reflected in Liverpools poor finish.
Completely different expectations.
You're right. It's amazing Wolves won any matches when they were trying so hard not to score goals.

[BigmanCas]

I honestly believe that Doyle will go to one of the big 4 before September. He is an outstanding footballer and showed in his 1st season in the premiership that he can score goals - motm every time he pulls on a green jersey - watch this space

[tetsujin1979]

I know it's less likely, but I'd prefer to see him go to play on the continent than a move to the top 4 in the Premier League

[Duggie]

i hope he dosent go to arsenal, cause i can see the situation if hes not scoring he will be dropped. if he stays at a club like wolves he will be playing every game. i think people are going over the top about him this season.

[BigmanCas]

He has been consistently excellent since he crossed the water. How can you say people are going over the top - just most people have been unaware and are only realising his class now. Watch him tonight and believe.

[Duggie]

look no one is happier than me when an irish player does well anywhere, i just think people may be exageratting his ability a bit. like with ireland id be way WAY more worried if robbie were injured for us than kevin. he just isnt that much of a goal threat for me, yes he holds it up well but id like to see him score more.

[Sullivinho]

To score the goals he did in such a creatively deficient team whilst spending most of his time battling for and holding up possession was some achievement. I think he's actually a very neat finisher when given the opportunities and would dearly love to see him get a run in a top team where his duties would hopefully require less grafting. Then we'd see what he's truly made of. I reckon he'd flourish. Aside from ability, his temperament and intelligence are first class.

[Charlie Darwin]

i hope he dosent go to arsenal, cause i can see the situation if hes not scoring he will be dropped. if he stays at a club like wolves he will be playing every game. i think people are going over the top about him this season.
Playing with better players, no matter what club it's at, will improve his game. He might not be Arsenal standard but he's head and shoulders above the Wolves team and will progress faster at a better club. Villa might be a nice move if Carew jets off.

[irishfan86]

I've been critical of the Robbie-Doyle combination in the past, as I never really thought they played as a two man unit, but against Algeria they seemed to have more of an understanding than I've seen in the past.

Maybe it was just the poor standard of opposition though.

[yapster]

look no one is happier than me when an irish player does well anywhere, i just think people may be exageratting his ability a bit. like with ireland id be way WAY more worried if robbie were injured for us than kevin. he just isnt that much of a goal threat for me, yes he holds it up well but id like to see him score more.


spot on duggie

[jbyrne]

look no one is happier than me when an irish player does well anywhere, i just think people may be exageratting his ability a bit. like with ireland id be way WAY more worried if robbie were injured for us than kevin. he just isnt that much of a goal threat for me, yes he holds it up well but id like to see him score more.

yes, he doesnt score loads of goals but with a team like ours his skills are invaluable. we scored 5 goals over the last week and by my reckoning doyle was heavily involved in at least 4 of them. himself and robbie is turning into a great partnership and doyle is critical to us

[Manblue]

I honestly believe that Doyle will go to one of the big 4 before September. He is an outstanding footballer and showed in his 1st season in the premiership that he can score goals - motm every time he pulls on a green jersey - watch this space

Im sorry but there is no way doyle will play for a top 4 club, fair enough he can hold up and flick on the ball but his movement and of the ball play is absolutely terrible, he doesnt make runs he chases balls, midfielders have to direct him where to go, any team that plays decent football would have no place for him. I think Arsenal was his slight hope of playing up that part of the table and I would rate Van persie well ahead of him, Chamakah is coming with a big reputation and Wenger isnt likely to spend money replaceing his third choice striker (bendtner) when there is only a marginal difference between him and doyle. Villa would be the highest finishers that would take him.

[jbyrne]

his movement and of the ball play is absolutely terrible, he doesnt make runs he chases balls, midfielders have to direct him where to go

absolute rubbish

[Charlie Darwin]

All those commentators who praise his off-the-ball work must be absolutely demented then. "Terrible," you say?

[Manblue]

All those commentators who praise his off-the-ball work must be absolutely demented then. "Terrible," you say?

Sorry just to clarify, i mean in an attacking sense, i dont doubt hell chase defenders down all day, which is what commentators praise more than anything, and i prefer to watch players and judge them for myself as opposed to rehashing what a coupe of commentators say

[SkStu]

i prefer to watch players and judge them for myself as opposed to rehashing what a coupe of commentators say

forgive me if i doubt the judgement of someone who admires the actions and behaviour of Stephen Ireland over the years.

[Charlie Darwin]

I still think you're way off the mark.

edit: to Manblue

[Manblue]

forgive me if i doubt the judgement of someone who admires the actions and behaviour of Stephen Ireland over the years.

I admire him as a player anyone can see he has ability, there are plenty of Irish players i rate, I just think doyle is well over rated and will not play top four, time will tell but dont wait forever :)

[elroy]

I think Doyles (second) goal away to West Ham summarised how much he has progressed this year. He broke with the ball, had the pace to beat his man and finished very cooly and accurately from a tight angle. I would not have confidence in the Doyle of two or three years ago in doing that, his finishing in my opinion was always subject. Yes he was a good man around the six yard box, but his one on one etc have improved no end.

He is good in the air, is quite quick and can now finish to a high standard, not to mention he has a very high work rate. Not sure if he will get a move to a big four but he certainly deserves to play for a better club than wolves. If Steven Fletcher is worth 7m, then Doyle must be twice that!!