Roberts gives hisskipper PFA nod '“but not his vote

The votes are ready to be cast, the ballots poised to be completed.
Pompey skipper Michael Doyle tussles with Notts Countys Stanley Aborah during the Good Friday win over the MagpiesPompey skipper Michael Doyle tussles with Notts Countys Stanley Aborah during the Good Friday win over the Magpies
Pompey skipper Michael Doyle tussles with Notts Countys Stanley Aborah during the Good Friday win over the Magpies

Yet while Michael Doyle gets the backing of Gary Roberts, protocol prohibits a nomination.

Pompey’s squad are to register their preferences in the annual PFA Awards, with the outcome to be announced next month.

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Members are entitled to vote for their Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and, perhaps a more agonising decision, the make-up of the Divisional Teams of the Year.

However, players are not allowed to select somebody serving at the same club as themselves.

A sensible stipulation – even if it does prevent Roberts putting forward his Pompey skipper.

Doyle has been one of the stand-out performers of the Blues’ campaign, making 41 appearances and scoring once.

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The battling midfielder has also demonstrated admirable leadership qualities in a season where his consistency has been admirable.

It is the responsibility of Pompey’s PFA rep, Kyle Bennett, to oversee the voting process at Fratton Park.

And Doyle definitely has Roberts’ vote – except actually he doesn’t!

‘When you choose the PFA awards, the problem is you don’t see that much of other players,’ said Roberts.

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‘Of course, there are your obvious ones such as Kemar Roofe. Those who have scored a lot of goals in the season are always going to catch the eye, it is only natural I suppose.

‘The rules say you can’t pick any of your own players, but definitely Michael Doyle and a couple of the other lads should be in and around it.

‘He would be in it as my captain. He has played superbly for us and shown a lot of consistency. He’s a leader and a man on and off the pitch.

‘I would hope he would be in the final list, but you never know.

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‘When somebody puts a piece of paper in front of you and tells you to choose, it is hard to pick, especially from League Two.

‘Let’s face it, it’s not your greatest league in the world, you can’t easily pick Suarez, Messi and Neymar in there. You have to look deeper.

‘But it is what it is – and hard to pick.

‘If you are a not a follower of football you wouldn’t have a clue who to pick. Just try to get as many goals in the team as possible and see where that takes you.

‘I study every league from top to bottom, I’ve always been a fan of football and am a bit of a statto. I’m a bit boring, there’s not much going on in my life!

‘And I can find it hard choosing.’

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Back in April 2014, Roberts was named in the League Two PFA Team of the Year while with Chesterfield.

He was one of four members of Paul Cook’s title-winners to be selected by fellow professionals, the others being Ian Evatt, Tommy Lee and Liam Cooper.

Not that the creative midfielder attended the glittering awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House.

He added: ‘To be honest, it means nothing to me, I don’t even turn up to the awards.

‘I don’t like going to awards and the year I was included I wasn’t there.’