Doyle is seen as key man as Pompey tackle Stags
Friday, 11th Nov 2016 21:18 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey will look to restored skipper Michael Doyle to lead their victory charge against Mansfield.

The captain is set to come straight back into the team for the vital League Two game after missing the FA Cup defeat at home to Wycombe last week.

Manager Paul Cook says the Blues would not have performed so poorly against Wanderers had Doyle been playing.

It's likely to be one of a number of changes from the team who slipped out of the cup a week ago as mid-table Mansfield arrive bidding to become the third visiting side in a row to win a League Two game at Fratton.

Cook told The News it was good to have Doyle available again: ''You have a way of playing and there are key areas of the pitch for us. Central midfield is a key area in terms of how we play and, obviously, when you lose a player of Michael’s quality you are always light. He gives us that competitive edge.

‘The performance in the first half against Wycombe was way off and I take all the blame for the players, that is my job as manager. But if Michael was in the team I wouldn’t have expected that performance.

‘There is criteria how we play the game, the lads go through this with us, it’s what you call buying into what we do. We play off our front foot, you don’t take backwards steps at Fratton Park.

‘Michael is now over his suspension, there are 31 games to go. There are no excuses in terms of travelling or re-arranged games following cup competitions.

‘If we are not promoted this year or we don’t finish in the top three it will be for one reason — we are not good enough. ‘There will be no excuses offered by me and the players.’