x

Pompey skipper's verdict on his own future

Michael Doyle has no plans to retire just yet - and hopes he can continue his Pompey career into a third season.

He is 35 and realises that makes him a little vulnerable as the Blues look to see which of their out-of-contract stars should get a new deal ahead of the 2017-18 season in League One.

Doyle told The News: 'I would like to stay here at Pompey. You get to my age and take it a season at a time, but I feel I’m going to play on for a couple of years at least. I’m enjoying my football, I love it, I love competing, you just want to keep going.

‘Hopefully it’s a crest of a wave at Pompey now and, going into another division, it would be nice to be part of that. We’ll see what happens. One thing I’ve never had in my career — and rightly so — are first-team guarantees. I’ve never had a manager guarantee me to play and would never want that.

‘All you want is a chance to compete with the fella next to you to play. I have always loved competition and thrived in that environment. When you step up with big clubs like this you are going to attract better players and I have been at a lot of big clubs and always played.

‘But I know how football works, the one thing I’ve always said is if I’m not playing well enough then I won’t play. I will, though, continue working hard on the training ground to get myself in the team.

‘That’s all you can do. Nobody is guaranteed their place, especially at clubs like this, and that’s not healthy anyway. ‘If somebody is playing better than you then they play, it’s as simple as that. ‘I want to play every week, but if I’m not then I’m not.’

Advertisement

Click here to sign up for an account and reserve your username! You can then post on the Forum and add your comments to articles

What to read next:

Returning Pompey defender reflects on 'lonely place' as he looks to kick on
One of Pompey's returning casualties has spoken of the tough time he has had on the sidelines.
Fratton foursome give fans and manager good news - but one Pompey new boy is crocked
Pompey's treatment room is starting to thin out somewhat - although it does now have a new casualty.
Pompey's 1985-86 season: Bans, crushes, a Carlisle nightclub and an agonising end
Everything has a spin-off these days, so why should View From The North Stand not follow suit? If you don't know, that's the name of my column in the Pompey programme, now in its 18th season in its current guise.
Quick on the draw: Would one more point suit Pompey against Sunderland?
Pompey have been quick on the draw upon their return to the Championship. Three games - and all have ended all-square.
Who comes in? Pompey and new boys head for the Riverside
Pompey head to Middlesbrough this weekend and there will almost be as much interest in what happens at 2pm as 3pm.
Two games in - and Pompey have concerns among the excitement
Pompey are two games into the season - and it's fair to say that most fans would have said 'yes please' if offered a point from Elland Road and a League Cup exit at the hands of Millwall in those two opening tussles.
Two proper clubs going toe to toe - why Leeds v Pompey excites Mousinho
A visit to Leeds might be one of Pompey's toughest looking trips of the season as they begin life back in th Championship - but John Mousinho is happy with the hand the fixture computer has dealt them.
Luton at lunchtime - Sunday in Sunderland: it's your latest Pompey fixture changes for Sky
A lunch date with Luton, a Sunday in Sunderland and a potentially unlucky trip to Derby - they're all part of Pompey's rearranged fixture list as the new TV deal takes hold.
Jacob in, Jack out - all-change in Pompey's left-back department
It's one in one out in the left-back department as Pompey continue reshaping their squad with two weeks to go before the Championship season begins.
Pompey's week with the non-league neighbours off to fine start
Pompey's non-league neighbours tour is under way and it's a case of so far, so good as boss John Moiusinho reflects on a victory and a good workout at Gosport and looks forward to what he hopes will be more of the same at Havant on Friday and Bognor on Saturday.