Players of the season: Michael Doyle

Michael Doyle racked up 49 appearances for Coventry City in 2005/06 and ended the campaign back in the international picture with the Republic of Ireland after being called up by former team-mate Steve Staunton for the May friendly against Chile.

The absence of Stephen Hughes for much of the first-half of the season undoubtedly affected Doyle as he had a massive workload to deal with in the centre of midfield given the lack of a regular partner and Micky Adams’ preference for two attack-minded players to fill the wide midfield roles.

He benefitted massively from, first Don Hutchison and then Dennis Wise joining the club. Wise especially gave Doyle more licence to get forward when needed but also to concentrate on his job breaking up the opposition play when necessary.

The unsung hero of the team perhaps, but along with Robert Page, someone City miss badly when they do not play.