Colin Doyle

[Stuttgart88]

Steve Claridge's latest report on a young Irishman:

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/05/08/colin_doyle_birmingham_city.html

All's well that ends well. Colin Doyle has certainly been a busy boy in recent weeks as Birmingham finally secured promotion after one of the most turbulent seasons in their history. Just to give you an idea of how big a part Doyle has played in their recent run, he signed a new four-year contract the day after Blues played Wolves late last month and such has his impact been that Arsène Wenger is reportedly interested in signing him.

He reminds me of Petr Cech a bit in size and stature and has an ability, like the Chelsea keeper, not to over-dramatise saves. He makes them look as easy as possible simply because his positioning for shot stopping is so good. That is not to say he wasn't fully tested at times but when he made a save there was only one example of the ball rebounding out into the danger area - the centre of the goal. On every other occasion he safely pushed the ball to the side. Too many people just look at the save but where the ball finishes up after a save when the keeper doesn't catch it is important.

His kicking was fine with either foot, though he favours his right, and his bravery was unquestioned on the two or three occasions he was called upon to dive at a player's feet. His preparation must have been good as he was called into action very early in both games, and certainly, in the Preston match, where he had to make two saves in the first few minutes.

He has what I call soft hands, meaning when he could not hold the ball on the first attempt, particularly the ones that bounced in front of him, it stayed within easy reach the second time around, instead of giving his opponent an easy chance at the rebound. He's not lazy - he got his body behind everything and made sure he moved his feet to get into position.

Two areas of improvement he must focus on are communication and mastery of his area. He needs to be more dominant because he was bullied at corners and free-kicks when the opposition put people around him. Twice he came for balls but missed them as his run was blocked. He either needs to get a team-mate to help him stop this happening or take a leaf out of Jens Lehmann's book and let opponents know he's there. He must take his share of the blame for the goal conceded at Preston which showed a lack of communication but both these shortcomings will, I am sure, be overcome with experience.

Having said that, when he wasn't blocked he was excellent at dealing with crosses in front or behind him. As with all modern keepers his reading of the game needs to be good and it was - often tidying up behind his defenders when Preston threatened over the top.

At 6ft 5in and 14st 5lbs he's got the perfect physique for a keeper and at 21 he's already a full Republic of Ireland international. He's been loaned out three times - to Chester, Nottingham Forest and Millwall - and has suffered relegation and promotion from the Championship in successive seasons. If this is a sign of things to come, life's sure not going to be dull for him in his football career.

Age 21

Born Cork, Rep of Ireland

Position Goalkeeper

Height 6ft 5in

Weight 14st 5lb

From Trainee

How he rates

Awareness 9/10

Communication 7/10

Handling 9/10

Kicking 8/10

Reflexes 9/10

Valuation £1m-£1.5m

[GavinZac]

and he would've signed for Cork City if it wasnt for FIFA's pesky 6 month contract rule :(

[Stuttgart88]

He's incorrect in that he's not yet a full cap, but I'd agree on the communication criticism. Once or twice I've seen him try and dive at an oncoming attacker's feet when second favourite to get the ball, at risk of conceding a penalty. Some learn from experience others just keep on making the same mistake. Richard Wright springs to mind - very talented but poor decision making cost him a career at the highest level. I fear the same for Wayne Henderson.

I hope this guy goes on to make it. For all Shane Supple's ability - he's got all of Shay's raw talent - the game is trending towards the really top keepers having a height advantage. I understand Randolph & Logan are both quite big too.

[republicofwhite]

On that note, it looks certain Randolph is going to start at Anfield on Saturday against Liverpool. The dilemma was originally should the more experienced Thomas Myhre be given the nod to play, but now that Charlton have nothing to play for, Randolph as automatic second choice should get the nod. It'll be a good experience for him and he could well be first choice next season. He's very highly rated. I can't wait to see that match, it should be very interesting.

[elroy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/7795100.stm

Shane Supple....still very young for a goalkeeper so plenty of time for him to come good.

Seeing that article got me thinking of Colin Doyle, I know he is second choice at B'ham but any chance of him getting the no 1 back off Taylor. Doyle was looking like the most likely successor to Given there for a while.

[irishultra]

birmingham fans really rate him.

[drummerboy]

I can't believe Doyle is now 3rd choice at Birmingham. Surely he should go out on loan. I seen this guy playing a few years ago and was certain that he would become No 1 for Ireland when Shay packs it in. I know he had a couple of dodgy games when Birmingham were promoted 2 years ago, but he has hardly got a game since and still no sign of him moving on?

[seanfhear]

I can't believe Doyle is now 3rd choice at Birmingham. Surely he should go out on loan. I seen this guy playing a few years ago and was certain that he would become No 1 for Ireland when Shay packs it in. I know he had a couple of dodgy games when Birmingham were promoted 2 years ago, but he has hardly got a game since and still no sign of him moving on?
You would think a loan move would have to be good for the lad alright.

[twoenz]

If we got a goalkeeping injury, who would step up to number 3? Nick Colgan?

[Jicked]

If we got a goalkeeping injury, who would step up to number 3? Nick Colgan?

Wayne Henderson and Brian Murphy would be next in line, the management team have been watching both. Murphy didn't help his cause by catching the ball and then falling back in to the goal the last time Trapp and Tardelli came to see him.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Getting a rare runout for Birmingham in the cup today, live on Setanta if anyone interested with Westwood in goal at the other end. Coventry one up at this stage....

Looking very shaky so far to be honest.....

[TrapAPony]

2-0 down.


Edit : Won 3-2 in the end.

[irishfan86]

Getting a rare runout for Birmingham in the cup today, live on Setanta if anyone interested with Westwood in goal at the other end. Coventry one up at this stage....

Looking very shaky so far to be honest.....

Who was shaky? Westwood or Doyle?

[drummerboy]

I remember Doyle in Birminghams promotion year and he was superb. Had a couple of bad games in Premiership and he was dropped by Bruce. He has never had a proper run since. In fairness he looked very shaky in the first half yesterday.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Who was shaky? Westwood or Doyle?

Doyle. Wetwood played well despite shipping 3.

[OwlsFan]

With both Irish keepers playing, I was hoping for a dour 0-0. Alas 5 goals were conceded. Westwood made a few good saves but think he might have done better for one of the goals.

[paul_oshea]

what was the name of the reading keeper of irish descent, second generation who was up for rape? He looked like a decent prospect till all that happened.

Stack, Graham stack thanks to tets app.

[Charlie Darwin]

Doyle and Westwood both looked uncertain coming for crosses but were otherwise assured. It was interesting that Doyle played instead of Taylor - I don't think the big German was injured, so perhaps McLeish made the decision with a view to his possible retirement/moving on in the summer.

[seanfhear]

Doyle and Westwood both looked uncertain coming for crosses but were otherwise assured. It was interesting that Doyle played instead of Taylor - I don't think the big German was injured, so perhaps McLeish made the decision with a view to his possible retirement/moving on in the summer.
You would'nt be trying to wind up some of Northern brethern by any chance:D

[Stuttgart88]

Doyle's got all the physical ability but I don't think he has the mentality of a top keeper. A shame, as he did have a great run when Brum got promoted. He just lets in too many goals where you feel he could have done better.

[tetsujin1979]

He started Birmingham's first season in the Premier League as first choice - http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/PlayerDetails?playerID=38296&seasonID=137 - but let in 5 goals in his first 3 games, got rested in favour of Taylor and never really recovered

[drummerboy]

Glad to see he kept a clean sheet yesterday. Didn't see the game but I'm glad at least he is getting a bit of game time.

[elroy]

25 years of age, not likely to get ahead of Foster. Probably needs a move.

[seanfhear]

25 years of age, not likely to get ahead of Foster. Probably needs a move.He needs the responsibility of first team football at 25 years of age. Even for a goalkeeper.

[Charlie Darwin]

Irish patriot Steven Carr has just done his mate a favour and taken out Ben Foster. Two goals down already so it might be a long afternoon for Doyle.

[tommy_c12000]

Great op for Doyler if Fosters injury is serious. Hopefully he'll hold his nerve. Come on Doyler!!

[Qwerty]

The last of the 3 goals he let in was very poor, looked like an OG, he blocked with his left and knocked it in with his right. Based on that performance he isn't an option for Ireland.

[tommy_c12000]

The last of the 3 goals he let in was very poor, looked like an OG, he blocked with his left and knocked it in with his right. Based on that performance he isn't an option for Ireland.

Would not agree with that. The last goal took a wicked deflection off the defender (need the behind goal angle and possible slow mo to see it) which change the direction of the goal to Doyle's left. It looks terrible in real time when you don't see the deflection. You can't say he isn't an option for Ireland based on his first appearance in the Premier League this season, especially in the circumstance of Liverpool running rampant and already 2-0 ahead when he is introduced. Look at Foster's mistake for Liverpool's first. Let us not not be too hasty to judge until he gets a proper run of games (I don't think this will be at Birmingham)

[seanfhear]

A player would need a good run of games before jumping to conclusions.

He could do with a loan move to a club where he would get regular football.

If a player is the regular sub goalie then its a question as to whether the host club is willing to loan the player.

[SkStu]

i just saw the highlights of the game and i thought the mistake for the 4th goal was similar to Fosters mistake for the first. Doyle also made a bad blunder for the last. Deflection or no, he didnt get enough on it. But Birminghams defending was atrocious throughout. Hopefully he can get a decent run and establish himself though.

[elroy]

Was BHams first choice when they got promoted a few years back after having a very good season for them the year before. So there is no doubt the lad has potential.

[tommy_c12000]

Foster is suffering from a dead leg so the chances are that he will be back in time for Sunday's clash with Wolves

[Charlie Darwin]

Dead legs can be tricky. John O'Shea's kept him out for about 5 months. Not that I would wish that on poor Ben :)

[BonnieShels]

Didn't Josh have some sort of clotting problem. Maybe Foster does too?

[Stuttgart88]

Was Foster in goals for the first one? I had the sound down and thought it was a poor error my Doyle but would be glad if it was Foster? I thought the 5th goal was an error.

[Charlie Darwin]

Foster was in goal for the first two and was taken off just before half time.

[gastric]

I would hate to be Doyle turning up for training after this. Comments like 'under the wife's thumb' might well be used or in the players' minds!

http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/05/18/Mrs-Doyle-lashes-Blues-keepers--/gnid-94940/

[passinginterest]

That'll teach him to pee off the missus. Ouch.

[an_ceannaire]

Someone needs to send herself and Claudine to "marrying a footballer" school
These women are married to footballers, i am sure in most cases, especially Robbies, they wouldnt touch their now husbands with a 40 foot pole if they werent footballers.
So when the lads behave like...........footballers........these women need to STFU and get over it. You married a footballer, so you would be rich and a D List Celeb. These are the trappings. Deal with it, or F**k off and marry a Rugby player who will bring you to meet the bloody Queen!

[dr_peepee]

Someone needs to send herself and Claudine to "marrying a footballer" school!

Agreed!!

[paul_oshea]

I thought it quite ironic that a rugby player earning his money in ireland meets the queen and yet we didnt see a shot of one of our soccer players who earns his living within the crown jurisdiction isn't at the thing....

[tetsujin1979]

I thought it quite ironic that a rugby player earning his money in ireland meets the queen and yet we didnt see a shot of one of our soccer players who earns his living within the crown jurisdiction isn't at the thing....
their clubs probably wouldn't release them for a photo op with the last game of the season yet to be played

[ifk101]

I thought it quite ironic that a rugby player earning his money in ireland meets the queen and yet we didnt see a shot of one of our soccer players who earns his living within the crown jurisdiction isn't at the thing....

That's not ironic. ;)

It's ironic that she speaks more Irish than the lot of us.

[an_ceannaire]

Sure what manager would release a player in the last week of the season Paul! Most of our players are involved in promotion/relegation battles! I spose Shay could have had a gander over. Or Robbie!

[paul_oshea]

Exactly an_ceannaire. Could be over and back in half a day.

[Charlie Darwin]

Shay was out in Coppers last night. You can take the boy out of the country, but you'll never take the country out of the boy...

[paul_oshea]

Good man shay the royal dinner and then coppers....someone just said that exact same thing about me recently when i posted a picture on facebook from my travels in mexico.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought it quite ironic that a rugby player earning his money in ireland meets the queen and yet we didnt see a shot of one of our soccer players who earns his living within the crown jurisdiction isn't at the thing....I agree. A footballer would have been far more representative of the real economic and emotional relationship between our two countries.

I'd have proposed Jermaine Pennant.

[Charlie Darwin]

Good news for Doyle. Maik Taylor's been released by Birmingham and, presuming Foster wants to find another Premier League club, Doyle could be #1 next season.

Carr will be offered a new contract and Fahey will have a little less competition with Larsson and Bowyer leaving.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13573178.stm

[tetsujin1979]

Good news indeed, if he is #1 he'll be playing in Europe