Doyle hails Pompey's Amine machine

That’s Pompey skipper Michael Doyle’s take on defensive-midfield partner Amine Linganzi.

The in-form duo look set to team up again for today’s crunch League Two clash at fellow promotion-contenders Carlisle (3pm).

And having helped to shore up a defence now ranked as the best in the division, Doyle has been quick to praise Linganzi’s recent impact.

Enjoying his longest run in the side since receiving his marching orders at Cambridge in October, the Congo international has caught the eye with a number of composed displays this month.

And Doyle is hoping for more of the same from his Pompey team-mate.

He said: ‘Amine’s been brilliant since he’s come back in.

‘He is starting to find his feet and playing really well.

‘Amine is a big presence.

‘I think he has been outstanding – the reflection has been in the results and probably performances since he came back into the team at Wycombe.

‘We seem to have a good balance and it is going well at the minute.

‘He has done great.’

Linganzi has had to wait for his chance to return to Blues action.

Having threatened to establish himself in Paul Cook’s starting XI alongside Doyle earlier this season, the former Blackburn man let himself down with a reckless challenge in the 1-0 win at the U’s.

His suspension offered an opportunity for fellow summer signing Danny Rose to stake his claim for a defensive-midfield berth.

Last month’s 1-0 home loss to Exeter, though, prompted Cook to end Doyle and Rose’s 12-game partnership, with patient Linganzi recalled for the trip to Wycombe.

An unlucky 1-0 loss that day was followed by 2-0 wins over Accrington and Blackpool, before last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Barnet.

And Doyle believes Linganzi is showing his best Pompey form to date.

‘When he came in early on in the season he was looking for match fitness,’ he said.

‘But now Amine has found his routine.

‘He knows what he needs to do to keep himself going.

‘He’s in the gym every morning up at Roko and is one of the ones who is always up there doing his bits and pieces.

‘Amine has had to wait and be patient for his opportunity because Danny has done really well as well.

‘He found it hard to get back in and had to be patient – but you can’t fault him, I think he has been outstanding.’

Key to Pompey’s promotion push will be Doyle and Linganzi’s ability to continue to deliver consistently high performances – and victories.

Doyle added: ‘It is just important, like everybody else, he finds that consistency.

‘It’s not enough to be good for one or two games, it’s every week we need that consistency in our game to deliver the wins.’