Tommy Doyle has joined Birmingham City on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tommy Doyle of Birmingham City
Tommy Doyle is determined to live in the moment at Birmingham City after finding his final season at Wolverhampton Wanderers far from enjoyable.
The talented midfielder has joined Blues on loan, with a view to the transfer being made permanent next summer, after being overlooked by current Wolves chief Vitor Pereira.
Despite only being 23, Doyle brings a wealth of experience to Blues having already played a half century of Premier League games, won promotion from the Championship and a European title with England under-21s.
It is signings like Doyle that have prompted punters to back League One champions Blues for another promotion and that is unmistakably the aim for Chris Davies’ side, but Doyle isn’t taking anything for granted.
Speaking to BirminghamLive after Blues’ penultimate pre-season friendly at Port Vale, Doyle said: “I was saying to my dad the other day, because we were speaking about it (promotion), ‘Listen, I really want to be present and in the moment every single day’.
“We have a massive chance to do something special and there is obviously people from the outside looking in going, ‘Gosh, they can get to the Premier League, they can do this and that’, and of course we can but I think the main thing is to be present in the moment right now.
“We need to focus day-by-day and get the best out of myself individually and get the best out of the teammates. If we all do that I think we can make something special happen.”
Doyle’s primary aim is to establish himself in the Blues midfield, be it as one of the two deep-lying playmakers in Davies’ 4-2-3-1 system or as the number 10, after a season in which he started just three league games.
Having been a useful Premier League player under Gary O’Neil, Doyle was cast aside by his predecessor Pereira who issued a brutal assassination of the midfielder’s suitability to his playing style.
“Even though I was on the bench at Wolves last season, there was still a few games where I played a massive part,” Doyle said. “It is frustrating but the main thing is you’ve got to stay professional and help the boys as much as you can.
“I just want to play and enjoy it. I can’t say my football last season was enjoyable. Of course I was still professional and did everything to be in the best position I could so when I got the chance I was ready, but it’s all about playing games and enjoying it. Once that happens, the individual play won’t be an issue.”
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The lesson of being a good teammate and staying professional is something Doyle believes will be required at his new club.
Blues have a squad stacked with quality and in some positions Davies has three or four players to choose from. There will be occasions when Championship-proven players don’t make the 20-man squad.
Doyle added: “I think this team has an incredible squad as well, which is the most important thing. It’s not just the starters, it’s also the finishers that come on, they can really help the team.
“I had an incredible team at Sheffield United so obviously I can’t compare right now, I’ll be able to tell you that at the end of the season, but I’m very excited because there are some very good players in this team. It’s on us now to go out there and perform.
“You have to be professional and I think anybody that isn’t professional, they won’t last in this football club. That shows you’re either in or you’re out, you buy into what is happening or you don’t, it’s as simple as that.
“A lot of the lads have great attitudes which will help this club perform.”
Tommy Doyle of Birmingham City
Doyle was the stand-out Blues player in their 2-0 victory over Vale and there is little doubt that he will start the season – with only his position in the XI up for debate.
He was an effective number 10 against Vale and has the technical quality to unlock defences from that more advanced position, but the majority of Doyle’s football has come in a deeper midfield role.
Doyle is happy to play either position.
“It’s about us being brave and trying to punch it through, and not being afraid of risking the ball. I’ll always be in those positions but of course we need to have boys that get on the ball and fire it through the lines.
“We had some good spells (against Port Vale) when we did that and I thought I found myself in some good positions. Once we get that little bit sharper, I think we’ll start making those runs into the box a little bit more aggressively and start scoring some goals.”
Where should Doyle start the season? Have your say HERE