Birmingham City’s long serving keeper Colin Doyle has been speaking to the Birmingham Mail about season expectations and personal aims for this season.
The keeper acknowledged that the performance last season has to lower expectations and hope levels. He said its unlikely the players could turn round and call for promotion.
But, he said, if things go well for Blues early on then caution could indeed be thrown to the wind.
‘I know, for sure, everyone – players and staff – don`t want to be in the bottom half, we don`t want to have to do what we did last season.’
Doyle explained that the finish last season is not something the players want to repeat.
‘The players the gaffer has brought in have got a lot of games under their belts.
Some are League One, some have played in the Championship, some have played Premier League football.
It`s a good healthy balance and, honestly, I do think we will be in the top half.’
In goalkeeping terms Doyle is hopeful he can stake a claim for the no 1 position on the team sheet. The relationship between the Irish counterparts was described as friendly competition.
‘I knew Darren before he came here. We used to play for Ireland in the under-21s.
If Darren starts the season, which he probably will because of the performances he put in last year, and I play the cups then I have just got to do the best I can.’
Like many of the players, Doyle is convinced that the team last year is a reflection on this team embarking on a new challenge. The players believe that the teams are so far apart that they can reach the top ten or near enough.
It is likely the fans are going to be more sceptical on ambitions as so often is the case where ever you go. Fans either expect far more than can be achieved or are lowly negative.
Blues look to kick on with a positive pre-season fixture, now back in England, with a trip to the New Lawn Stadium against Forest Green Rovers tonight.
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