Leeds move ends Doyle era

Thursday’s surprise bit of transfer market business for Coventry City saw midfielder Michael Doyle join Leeds United on a season-long loan deal.

Just days before the season, the signings of Sammy Clingan and Michael McIndoe allowed Chris Coleman to move on a player who has been a virtual ever-present for the Sky Blues since joining from Celtic in the summer of 2003.

Nearly 250 league appearances for the Irishman show that he was a first-choice for Gary McAllister, Eric Black, Peter Reid, Micky Adams, Iain Dowie and last season, Coleman himself.

But despite that and his undoubted qualities, did Doyle’s constant presence in the team symbolise the stagnation that City have been in for the past decade?

At no time has a move to the top-flight looked likely and Doyle never established himself as a true fans favourite although he was generally well-regarded and it could be said he would have benefitted from being part of a better team.

For the first time in seven seasons however, City will start the season without Doyle as a regular in the side and given the mind-numbing averageness of most of those campaigns that has to be worth a go if things are to change for the better in the long-term.