Thetownend.com

It’s approaching the Jan window and these 2 players appear to be pivotal to our ongoing success.

Bradford seem to have a recall for Doyle but there is no indication if they will - or can - use it. They offloaded both Doyle and Scannell to free up their budget to recruit 6 other players. Will a returning Doyle push them over whatever financial restrictions the EFL have (I have no idea what they may be).

Their fans seem to think that even if he doesn’t actually play for them again it would be logical to recall him to maybe mess up our promotion bid. Maybe we have an option to buy clause in January. Maybe they would insist on us paying his entire wages - though I’ve heard we are actually paying the large majority of it anyway.

Grant has been, in my eyes, MOM for virtually every game he’s played and again there is no indication as to where he will be come January.

So while it would be brilliant to have them both, if push came to shove and we could only have one, which one would you prefer?

Doyle. Grant is superb, and would be a massive loss if we can't keep him, but as we have found over the past few seasons it can be very hard to replace that number of goals. But I think if anything we're more likely to be able to sign Grant on a perm in Jan.

We're closer to having a replacement for Grant (Lyden) than we are to having a replacement for Doyle's goals.

if we do reach the second round then I imagine that at least one of them would then be available to play as their parent clubs played each other in the FA Cup, iirc both Grant & Doyle have played for their parent clubs this season so they wouldn't be able to play for anyone else this season, so there is no reason for the one from the losing team not to play in the next round if we get there.

Don't think Grant has, has he? He was exiled to training with the youth team in the summer and not brought back into the fold, hence why they wanted rid. Apologies if I've got that wrong

Good point Jutty.

It’s not really the FA Cup that’s important, though. We want both players for the ongoing league season.

We do, but if an unexpected cup run boosts the coffers it may help us do that.

Though I'm not sure cup runs can offset the wage cap.

I thought the wage cap was a % of income.  A cup run boosts income and in turn allows for an increased wage cap.

£36k for beating Chelt next week plus additional gate receipts. thats £36k more than we get every year over recent years! Get a nice draw and get another £56k. then a big 3rd round and it makes all of the difference for a promotion push.

For those that say focus on the league etc. we can't say no to this potential income and we must get this win next week!

My understanding of the wage cap is the same as Singingiffy’s, although I think equity capital injections (but not loans) from owners can increase it further.

On the question of Grant or Doyle, if we could only keep one I think I’d opt for Grant, although not much in it.

Looking to next year and beyond, and given the ages of these two, I would say Yates is the best long term bet of the three, and we need to keep him beyond January too.

I've had a 5 minute look, and it looks like budgets should not assume progress past round 1 of any cup.

So if that really is the case, the cash will (presumably) still help with transfer fees, but we may need to shift players out to keep below the wage %.

So, can anyone come up with a reason why both clubs are tight lipped over Doyle? Nobody is even saying if there is a recall option or not.

Who benefits from the secrecy?

Just noticed (and realised) that Bradford and Shrewsbury have a reply against each other as well

So.. when we beat numb it would  mean either Doyle or Grant could be available for the next round?  Ideally need Shrewsbury to win as there would be no reason for Doyle not play for us in next round.

Bradford, as their fans who insisted he's the Irish Jamie Slabber would throw a hissy fit if he reaches 20 goals by Christmas and they can't recall him. Although that would all come out in January anyway if true...

Keep up !!.

Ahh missed that :doh:

 ;D ;D ;D    No problem !!.

Not a mention of a recall here

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11758/11855824/eoin-doyle-interview-swindons-ginger-pele-who-is-the-leading-scorer-in-england-this-season

My guess is that if we want either from Jan 1st we will need to pay some money and sign them on permanent deals. As far as I can tell both players are likely to be keen to do that and Power has backed managers since coming down so at this stage you have to be cautiously optimistic that both might sign 2.5 (?) yr deals and become the core for us to be a decent L1 team in that timeframe.

That’s a very good point I hadn’t thought of. Power essentially spends some of next season’s budget now, gets promoted and he won’t need to spend it later.

If Power is serious about promotion he needs to sign both permanently in January.

I will be extremely disappointed if we don't, but if we had to lose one I'd rather lose Grant. Goalscorers are hard to find

If Grant leaves we can get by with what we have (assuming they stay fit).

Taylor signs for Bradford, eventually, he most cost a few bob

Sky have come up with their L2 team of the season so far.

Unbelievably, Doyle doesn’t make it. Instead, Hanson with 5 goals (but wins lots of headers) and Danny Rose with 7 goals are their preferred front 2.

Bizarre, considering they did a piece and interview with him just this week

How the top scorer in England can't make it into such a team is beyond me, shows how little regard they have for the lower leagues I guess.

Nah, they're right, he's useless. Nothing to see here. Move on.  ;)

Under the radar.  Works for me.

Corrected for you.

Who?

I don't think Robert Lewondoski is eligible to be honest.

Will have been done by different journos though, not like Sky have an editorial "line" for League 2. Other than possibly "Who cares?"

Would make a great detective duo!

My guess. Caddis is Grant’s replacement.

I think your guess is wrong

Hope so.

If that was the case, it would make no sense to give Caddis a contract that ends the same month as Grants loan.
I think Caddis was brought it simply because we don’t have any depth at full back, or any quality back up, Iandolo and Reid don’t seem up to it should Hunt or Donohue get injured.

Yep, we should really keep our expectations in check here.

Take away the name, and we've signed a full back in his 30s who has only played a total of 50 lower league / cup games over the last 3.5 years, and has just gone for several months without a club.

Fair play, he played his part in a winning team on Saturday in the absence of a strong recent regular - despite apparently struggling to keep the pace before half time (I wasn't there and am just going on the comments of others).

But, with a 2 week break before we next play, I would be very reluctant to drop either of our 2 strong and consistent fullbacks in order to keep him in the side.

Caddis is an absolutely fantastic addition to the squad and could play a number of positions if called upon but I would agree that he's not a Grant replacement.

My personal view is that Power is more invested in this team (financially, emotionally and on any other level you can think of) than at any other time. He's going to do everything he possibly can to keep Doyle and Grant until the end of the season at least. I believe he'll pull it off.

I agree and Caddis could play the Matty Taylor type role at full back or in midfield. He certainly gave us good crosses and dead balls from the right hand side. He was noticeable as we closed out the game by getting in good positions and directing others where to go.

If the Donohue contract doesn't get approved immediately, I would guess that might roll onto the transfer window so Caddis will be needed somewhere in the next few weeks.

Sent from my SM-G960F

God help us then.

Reminds me of the story from long ago about a church in Liverpool. There was a sign outside the church saying "How can God help Liverpool?"

Someone wrote underneath "Move Ian St. John to centre forward!"

Like the graffiti on the church poster that said "Jesus Saves" and someone had scrawled underneath "And Fowler scores from the rebound"

Bringing it back to Swindon a bit, wasn't there one about Hoddle finding god, and what a pass that must have been.

not really. God is omnivorous.

wait, maybe it's omnipresent

Is that like a fake no.9?

On a motorway bridge sometime ago someone had painted FREE WALES and someone else had scrawled ONE FREE WITH EVERY FOUR GALLONS !!.

I remember seeing some graffiti in the toilets in Dover Harbour several years back: "Last shit in England", under which someone had added "No, there's plenty more where you came from."

Long before he rocked up here I think.

I have a horrible feeling we’ll lose both in Jan. Based on nothing but my gut, which to be fair, isn’t in the best place right now so I’m hopeful I’ll be proved wrong. And if I am wrong then I fully expect us to be playing league 1 football next season. That’s based on evidence rather than the instincts of a dodgy belly

Latest from Bowyer

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18064840.bradford-city-bowyer-set-discuss-transfer-window-plans/

Let's all pray for a speedy recovery for Clayton Donaldson!

https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/01/04/clubs-on-alert-as-shrewsbury-town-field-enquiries-in-anthony-grant-chase/

He will be a Swindon player soon

More chilled about Grant than anything else. He clearly sees a future here. Just want it to be permanent rather than a loan extension as our summer rebuild looks massive already.

I think Grant will be our player by Weds at least so same here, not concerned.

FOOTBALL: @BBCWiltsSport understands that @Official_STFC are signing @shrewsweb midfielder Anthony Grant until the end of the season #stfc https://t.co/T3dIwjbJdU

End of season is as expected, he’ll be looking for a last pay day in the summer like Doyle.

Brilliant news, even if we all knew he would anyway.

Brilliant news. PLEASE play him in cm on Sat!

Great news.

Hopefully there'll be a clause to keep him if/when we go up.

on a perm too

I suppose to be fair to him, he’ll get a new contract WHEN we get promoted.

Part one completed.

Injuries might dictate otherwise

Now not just sign Doyle but sign him on a perm deal and send Adam May back then we will only be using 3 loan slots, Benda, Yates and DJ.

I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for Bennett is funds allow, being the winger Wellens wants then get a CB loan player in.

I see that Facebook nob Kristian is spouting that Bradford want £250,000 for Doyle and you-know-who won’t pay it.

Tbh, I’d be disappointed if Power paid that. He’d be mad to do so. £100,000 would be pushing it, too.

Man I wish that twat didn't block me, no doubt everyone is lapping it up

Sent from my CLT-L09

Has anything those cunts ever said turned out to be true?

He must hate the fact that there is no negativity towards Power at the moment.

Some people have way too much time on their hands and bizarre ways of spending it.  As if any 30+ L2 player with 6 months on his contract would be valued at much more than a packet of Panini stickers.

All gone quiet on the Clem front too since we are top of the league

I thought Lee Power was only allowed into the UK a few times a year, but he lives in Christians head rent free 365 days a year.

Takes a brave man to live in a place full of crap.

Christ, is this Doyle episode still going on ?????.  Surely must be completed by the weekend as he can still play for us if nothing happens ??.   (Probably will though).

According to someone on their forum they have recalled him. Waiting for the announcement.

https://t.co/jLQN1no3Jl

Too much noise now - I think he's gone (for now).

Yep sounds like hes gone back, now we can all move on, thanks for the goals Mr Doyle.

Is Pitman a ginger?

Doesn't matter, hes in talks with Plymouth this morning according to some Pompey fans I know.

It was inevitable. Even if he does play for us again, the recall to Bradford allows them to save face by stating that the move didn't work out and he didn't fit into their system etc etc.

I feel sorry for Eoin TBH, hes in the best scoring spell of his career and going to win the league title and be the leagues leading scorer and thats been taken away from him going back to a team that probably won't make the play offs even and certainly won't play him.

If he has gone, then we need to go out and find another poacher that's in a team that doesn't suit him.

I agree that Eoin's season will suffer if he's recalled, however Bradford are likely to get promoted. It's a poor league this year and their style of play, although not pretty, is effective at grinding out results.

Would have been better for Bradford if he'd stayed here. Banging goals in against the likes of Plymouth and their other contenders for 2nd and 3rd  :)

That's a manager who's put in some long-term homework on the oppo!

We don't actually know if he is going or not yet, let's not jump the gun...

Pitman certainly fits the bill, been told he can leave, wants to stay in the South West but Plymouth have a lot more financial muscle than us and have a step ahead.

But in our favour, Swindon is closer to his home in Bournemouth, we are top of the league, he may well know Rose, Isgrove, Hunt and Bennett (if he comes in).

Fair point. If Crewe beat our reserve 11 on Saturday then Bradford can't overtake them (in the very unlikely event that Bradford  score a hatful), plus Crewe have a game in hand on them.

I don’t think he does fit the bill, Pitman is very slow and immobile. We used Doyle to run the channels and Doyle did a lot of closing down and work off the ball and I couldn’t ever see Pitman doing that.

Anyway we need to wait for confirmation, judging by his Instagram Doyle is at home today.

Oh there is no doubt that Pitman will not play the same game as Doyle who plays the channels well and chases down a lot.

But Pitman has a good footballing brain and knows where the goal is, which is what we need, we have enough players with pace in the team to do the running for him as long as hes in the right place at the right time to put them in the net.

No matter which player sign to replace Doyle (if he does indeed leave which we still don't know for sure) we will need to play differently to get the best out of them, Doyle fitted straight in and quickly but any possible replacement may not do so quickly.

McNulty would be a good signing if Sunderland do send him back to Reading and then Reading agree sending him to us, he would be nearer the Doyle style and he does know where the goal is but relies a fair bit on penalties to suppliment his goal tally.

Its all conjecture anyway for now.

I would like it sorted before we play Crewe on Saturday though no matter what so we can get in new bodies or set up to play with the ones we have got.

Maybe he’s been recalled, ending the present loan agreement, only to get resurrected later on. If Artell knew Saturday then we obviously did as well. I presume a replacement has already been lined up plus a young loanee from Bristol City.

Either way, we’re fine.

Somebody was insistent the deadline for the recall was today. If they were correct, then Doyle would have to be recalled regardless. Unless he was staying on loan.

He might have a footballing brain but he doesn't have a footballers body anymore and last thing we need is more fitness issues. The last photo I saw on him he was a right fat knacker and looks like he'd need a whole load of fitness training as well as integration into the team.

Pompey mate at work says Pitman cannot play a full 90.

Doing Coaching badges too.

Adver have now picked up the Artell story - https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18142672.crewe-alexandra-boss-david-artell-tells-cheshire-live-reporters-swindon-town-striker-eoin-doyle-set-return-parent-club-bradford-city-weekend/ (https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18142672.crewe-alexandra-boss-david-artell-tells-cheshire-live-reporters-swindon-town-striker-eoin-doyle-set-return-parent-club-bradford-city-weekend/)

I think Doyle will be recalled as a short-term measure so Town will have to go on without him for a few games but also allowing the two teams to negotiate without him scoring goals and adding to the noise from fans and local press.

If he really wants the move to Swindon then Doyle will need 'to do his bit' throughout January to force the move.

Very true,  and even if he has been recalled it could be just to deprive us of his services for the next few games,  nothing to say he won't be a permanent signing on the last day of the transfer window. Can't see him playing for Bradford again after hi s recent comments,  this is probably just a paper exercise to save face,  he probably won't even physically attend Valley Parade again.  Just sit at home until they let him return.

Is this the same Bradford that will be playing Crewe on 13th April?.... Yeah so don’t worry mate, he won’t be playing against you for Swindon but will be against us.....

I thought today was the first day they could recall him.

Just looked back at what Doyle has said about any possible recall.

‘Hopefully, I’ll be back playing in February’.

Almost as if he knew he wouldn’t be doing much for anyone in January.

He looked a very long way from a 20-goals-a-season striker in the article from the Pompey press this week.

(https://images-o.jpimedia.uk/imagefetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,q_auto:low,c_fill/if_h_lte_200,c_mfit,h_201/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimage/1.9192542.1578326906!/image/image.jpg)

This is what he said to the BBC

Asked about potentially being recalled, Doyle told BBC Points West: "Hopefully, come February, I will still be here."

Just seems a strange thing to say.

I  think he'll just be referring to the window closing then.

Easier just to say ‘I hope I stay’.

Why mention February. Almost saying I may not be here in January but, hopefully, I will be in February.

This.
Bradford will recall him and sell him to us at the last possible moment so we go without his goals for a month

Indeed.

They do run the risk of us going elswhere though. Assuming they aren't really wanting to play him/pay his wages..

Of course if they allow us to have him now, we can take three points off Crewe, Colchester, Newport C. And Port V. The first two are an immediate threat to Bradford, the other two not so but could be if they beat us and particularly if Bradford have a dip in form. Clearly it makes no sense for Bradford to have him back till the EOS both financially and tactically. So by helping us it also helps Bradford with their nearest opponents.

But won't his wages being back on their books for January bugger up them signing others if they are as close on FFP as has been suggested previously?

Given the links to McAlinden, Janneh and Semenyo, it sounds like we're in the market for a loan forward anyway.

Apparently they don’t have a problem with FFP. It was just a playing budget measure.

But then we should be regardless of whether or not Doyle stays. We have a lot of forwards but not enough strikers.

Pitman has always looked like that, hasn't he?  Even as a child I imagine him looking 50.  He's always scored goals though.  I don't think he'd fit the way Wellens likes to play though, which is the bonus Doyle provides.  I think the central defenders are the critical gap right now and we know we look more effective with Grant in midfield.  Sort those two areas and we'll create more than enough for Yates and supporting actors, just like we had been doing in the few games pre-Doyle.

I reckon we’ll get a loanee striker in to fill the Doyle-shaped hole until February. Bit of face saving for Bradford.

Well if he has gone back and doenst come back, those fans baiting the Bradford fans on twitter etc are going to look quite the knobheads

That's the risk of the BANTZ LIFE.

Live by the Bantz, die by the Bantz

I imagine if he has been "recalled" it is to terminate the loan agreement as we have likely agreed terms to sign Doyle on a perm. Again, on a perm not with a perm.

I don't. I think recalling him might be quite a clever move from Bradford's pov, whatever happens next. Ups the pressure on us to either table a bid or renegotiate more favourable loan terms. And gives them the rest of the month to sort it out, while he remains unavailable, and we hopefully become increasingly desperate. We're in a hurry, not them. Probably plays well with their fans. Might work, might not, but you can see their interest in it.

I've worded my thoughts better on the 'Bantams view on Doyle situation' thread. I meant to further it when I wrote the above but either couldn't be arsed/got sidetracked.

I agree that it's designed to force our hand a little more. I still think the "recall" if it happens is still a formality towards Doyle signing for us. It just, as you allude to, makes it look like Bradford have shown interest in keeping him. Which of course would appease the fans somewhat when he does eventually sign for us.

Yes, but it could backfire on them,  should we bring in another striker that fills Doyles boots not only are they stuck with a player that doesn't want to play for them, they also have a large wage bill to pay,  plus he can walk away at the end of the season and they make nothing.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall during these discussions.

Probably closer to 'The Thick of It' than anything else. Someone will be losing their shit, someone will be calm and someone will have no idea what the fuck is going on.

In the words of Tucker.. "If some cunt can fuck something up, that cunt will pick the worst possible time to fucking fuck it up cause that cunt's a cunt."

I assume that this is all down to Power's lack of ambition and inability to put his hand in his pocket etc etc?

Naturally.

https://twitter.com/Swindon_Live/status/1214547561249476609/photo/1  :hmmm:

It's from a parody account.

I did womder

I hadn't really noticed what an uptick in attendances we've had this season until just now - there really should be some decent wriggle room in the wage cap given we'd have submitted this years income based on estimates in the 6k attendance per game range I imagine.

Wellens has said there is extra money available.

Yes Power said our break even (for the budget) season average figure is 6k the rest is extra, also there is said to be funds available from the sale of the youth teamer Ifill to Brighton and there could be extra is Derby sell Bogle too.

And yes Wellens said there are some extra funds there for players a week or so ago.

I had seen that but hadn't really seen the potential - 2k extra is a 33% rise if we assumed 6k.  That's not insignificant.  Add in letting a few players go, I'm now looking forward to the next few weeks.

https://twitter.com/SkyBet/status/1214267893514305537

Just look at those beautiful assists  ;)

And the good thing about the numbers over the budgeted 6000 is that they're worth more per head than the original calculation, which was based on 50%+ ST-holders. #loadsamoney
 :beach:

Has anyone else got a sense of déjà vu?

Bamboo suggesting it’s a formality that a loan player will sign on permanently during January...now where have we heard that one before  :hmmm:


(https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/files/cache/247594a38521c513acaea5331ed05d33_f979451.jpg)

It's almost as if a player would prefer a real tilt at promotion rather than sit around on the fringes.

But yes, I take the point.

Mr Pot I have been expecting you, can I introduce you to Mr Kettle.

What's the average, though?  The last few games I've been to have been 8,000+, but I'm sure we haven't had too many of those until recently...and a fair few games earlier in the season with attendances < 7,000.

Suggests 7,448 at the moment.

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league-two/attendances;jsessionid=BAB11134B05064D8EF4BC296314889E7

There's a bloke on the Bradford forum who seems to be associated with the Bradford board somehow. He says he was there with the board Saturday... and seems to think this is bollocks.

the fact he hasn't gone back straight away makes me think something is in play.

whether it comes off, we'll see..

Yeah here's the badger...

Who knows. Hopefully. It may also be that we’ve asked to delay announcing anything so we can announce that he’s gone at the same time as announcing that Charlie Austin is re-signing.

Haha, catch up. This has been discussed. Doyle & Nelson are at different ends of their career. Likely Nelson was happy to be guided by advice from his parent club since a 14yr old boy. It turned out a correct move as he ended up promoted with Tranny. Doyle is clearly wanting a longer contract to see out his career on.

In any case, I haven't had chance to speak to his relatives yet.

As I say, catch up oh wise one.

.......the sale of the youth teamer Ifill to Brighton

?? Haven't heard about this - can anyone fill in the details plz  :sherlock:

http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=57896.msg1513293#msg1513293

Any idea why this thread is inaccessible? It tells me that it's off limits??

You aren’t one of the chosen few. It’s the part of the forum where us regulars go to slag off other posters.

Dont tell him that, he’ll see the thread slagging him off ;)

What does one have to do to become a member of this mythical place?

CUNT

You aren’t missing anything - it’s just a quiet part of the forum where Bamboo doesn’t hi-Jack every thread with his essays.

I am missing something, that thread I wanted to read.......

You mean where you go to bitch about me more than you do on the open forum? Gotcha. Ahh The Lounge, where bitches go to gossip. Worse than Mumsnet.

What's your SO doing this WE Quagmire? Giggity. Love you ;)

Don’t be shy, I can take the abuse in the open forums 😁

But we don’t have a directors box? We just have an area within a bigger hospitality area. Surely there were more than just 8 people for this Bradford fan to identify.

Let’s get some news or signings in tomorrow please!

I still believe one way or another Doyle is done with Bradford and isn’t at all keen on going back there. His Mrs is very active on Twitter but doesn’t even follow Bradford whilst at the same time constantly likes Town posts and much like Doyle himself hasn’t interacted with anything Bradford related since he joined. We all know despite what managers and chairman do say players do have a lot of power so I remain hopeful.

Yeah, me too...this says it all...

"I don't suit them, they don't suit me and this is where I want to be..."

End of they day, Bradford can't make him want to play for them and that's what it boils down to.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/50874082

If there's no announcement today, you'd think it points toward him staying.

This, off the Bradford forum had me cringing

‘Swindon have had their day, it was nice while it lasted. What should have been a mid table team - will soon become one.
We have had enough p*ss ripped out of us, now it’s time to steady the ship and crack on with our season. In 4th place, completely under performing (in the eyes of our fan base) let’s set our season alight and start upping our game.
We are the biggest club in the division and deserve to finish champions. I truly believe bringing back our player (yes OUR PLAYER) will be the catalyst of our season.’

Every club has them.

Indeed. You'd think if it was a straightforward recall they'd recall him on the first day, to get a full week's training in before their next match.

Reprehensible. I hate football fan entitlement, Lids and Man U fans being the very worst.

The only reason I can think of for not doing this would be to recall him at the last minute permissible before the game on Saturday. But that wouldn't really make sense seeing as we're playing Crewe who are just as much promotion rivals as ourselves, so bradford have nothing to gain from it.

Ha, what a deluded plank  :) Welcome to Division 4, long may you stay.

I think they have a vested interest in him staying for Saturdays game.

Re. the Bradford fan, we have fans like that. They were a 4th division side for a lot of the previous decade. More so than us.

Maybe, I suppose that would be a pragmatic approach should it lead to us winning the game.

I assume there is a window within which they can recall him, I hope this cannot just drag on all bloody month.

He's either a shit troll, or special needs.  Certainly single and wanks a lot

Nah, Eoin's married I think :)

Doyle gone - BBC Wilts

Hopefully whatever targets we do have, Doyle included, can get sorted soon.
Blow to us and probably Doyle too who was in the form of his life

Think that recall was always going to happen as a power move from Bradford trying to push us to pay up. Will be interesting to see if they actually play him, it's a big wage to carry just from spite.

Big few days.

Maybe not quite.

Gone, yes. But for how long?

They had to exercise their recall option - otherwise he would be on the same deal as when he initially signed.

If there is to be a new, improved loan deal (for Bradford) the old one had to be terminated first. Now, they may be intending to keep and play him.

They may also be negotiating a new loan deal or a perm transfer.

Already a rumour on their forum that they are looking to sell him.

But that is just a rumour. Would a club *have* to announce a player being recalled? I can't help but think they might prefer to keep it quiet until a deal is done... if a deal is coming.

Calm heads etc. The last line of the Town statement is interesting - “we wish him well wherever his future lies.” Thanks for the past few months Eoin. You’ve been incredible and deserve to go up whichever club you’re with. I hope that’s back in red.

The farewell text on the OS looks pretty final.

https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2020/january/doyle-recalled-by-bradford/

But of course that doesn’t mean this story is over. I’m just embarrassed by some of our fans’ previous cockiness on the basis of precisely FA. Safest is to assume we move on unless we hear otherwise.

Time for Yates to show what he can do as the main man

At the risk of incurring RF's wrath, I don't think we've seen the last of the Ginger Pele. Just don't see him fitting into their system of play, or indeed wanting to. I still think he'll be back in a Town shirt come Feb 1st

Further proof that people ‘in the know’ are full of shit.

See you in February Eoin  :)

Good riddance to bad rubbish, lazy, selfish, money better off used somewhere else now for a goal scorer....

Oh

I could see him returning before the end of the transfer window, he doesn't want to be at Bradford, he wants to be at Swindon, hes on a high wage for L2 and that will be a burden on Bradford as he clearly does not suit their hoofball way of playing.

I feel very sorry for Doyle, hes really in the form of his career and going to (probably) win the title with us and he has to go back there to get splinters from the bench in his arse.

Fingers crossed a deal is sorted sooner rather than later.

In the mean time Wellens has to bring in cover even if its on loan.

Possible.

Bowyer's comments sound as though they intend to keep him.

But what if it comes to the end of the window and it hasn't worked, which is a strong possibility. Although our own budget may have been taken up with a replacement(s) by then.

I bet that facebook group is going apoplectic, what a sight that must be!

The Bradford statement is gonna look a bit shit if they ship him out again after a week or so...

'Eoin Doyle has today returned to the club, having been recalled from a loan spell at Swindon Town.

The striker, who initally joined the Robins on a season-long loan deal in August, has already bagged 23 goals so far this season.

Doyle has made three competitive appearances for Gary Bowyer's side this term and will return to training with his City team-mates tomorrow (Thursday).

Bantams boss Bowyer is delighted to have welcomed the frontman back into his ranks.

The City chief said: "It is great to have Eoin back in the squad.

"To say he is bang in form would be an understatement and it is up to us to keep producing chances for him.

"He is a model professional, who looks after himself well. We look forward to seeing him scoring goals for us.

"He will be like a new signing and will fill the rest of lads with a lot of confidence."

The Irishman comes straight into contention for Saturday's trip to Crawley Town (3.00pm).'

Twitter is bad enough, bloody Power eh!

Bradfords manager has said he will be in contention for Saturdays squad.

Will be interesting to see if he maintains his scoring, its a big blow for us, but to think it was purely on his back we got to top of the league is a farce. We will need to see how the next few weeks pan out and see if it hits the squads confidence.

We now have one recognised striker. a bit of a worry that he could also be recalled.

I think if you're Bradford you shoehorn him in at any cost & hope for the best

My wrath’s really not very scary, and I suspect that on a day when willy-waving has hit the news, you won’t be caught giving it large on the Bradford forum.

(Isn’t there a very large willy somewhere near Blandford Forum though?)

How much is Doyle on a week at Bradford?

Apparently Rotheram have had an on loan striker recalled by a higher division club... could we be seeing Yates go back as well?

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2020/january/read--norwich-recall-carlton-morris-from-millers-loan/

I think if you're a Bradford fan you do. But Bowyer clearly doesn't want to, and I'm hoping their board have got a bit more nouse than that. They'd be far better off cashing in on an asset who only has value they can realise to us, now, in this window

In Wellens (And Jewel) we trust.

I very much doubt that we'll replace all of Doyle's goals, but we will at least replace some of them. His replacement might contribute more in other ways as well.

This is just the next stage in a big game of poker. They didn’t want him to remain here on his current loan terms so have recalled him, was always going to happen as they need to save face. Now it’s down to us to put an improved deal in place that suits both parties, that said if they are trying to rip us off based on perceived desperation then we should just walk away.

Ultimately Doyle isn’t a piece of machinery, if he goes back there and his heart isn’t in it then he’s not going to perform. I still have a feeling he will be back!

Wellens and Jewell’s signings have generally hit since they joined - keep Yates, and get another striker in.

We got Robinson In last year, and he averaged almost a goal every other game in a team that was far more stodgy(shit) than this. Get similar this jan and we’ll go up

Interestingly, I've loads of relos on the father's side who were born and brought up in Cerne Abbas and are buried there, particularly in the 18th Century.... 

That’s not how their article reads. Bowyer sounds as if he’s got a new toy that he can’t wait to play with. Never mind that it’s a biomolecular chemistry set and he struggles with Lego.

At this point, it’d *almost* be funny if he broke him on Saturday.

Not now Reg

Could work out great. Goes back to Bradford has the life sucked out of him by Bowyer again and then comes back here full of motivation and happy to get away and bangs in the goals again. One can hope...

Only you could find such an obscure use of the term “interestingly”.

Wish him well. Must be due a goal drought now.

Hopefully Wellens will put everyone at ease in the press conference this week.

Shame, hopefully not one to add to the Shearer, Flortoft, Austin and Ritchie list

Bradford fans do seem to have delusions of grandeur

Difference is he was never ours. If someone had said do you want 23 goals by Jan, we’d have bitten their arm off. If that’s all we get, then we can bank that. The success of the season’s plan will really depend on what happens next. Particularly if Yates goes too, which is far from inconceivable.

Bugger and blast.

Nobody could forsee him scoring 23 goals when we signed him on loan. Most productive loan signing ever?

But c'est la vie. Live by the loan, die by the loan.

Bring on the next one and keep your fingers crossed (and that yates isn't recalled).

We still have (for now) the second highest scorer in this league.

Bradford are a strikers graveyard, other than Wells I don’t think they’ve had any high scorers for a long time.

In the last decade alone we’ve had Paynter, Austin, Williams, Ajose and now Doyle. We always find someone else, we’ll be fine.

even if Yates is recalled, the fact that he is the joint 2nd scorer shows that we are not a one man team as some would have you believe.

Wellens’ press conference now should be worth listening to.

RW said he knew it was happening earlier this week. He will go back now and 'we will see what happens now'.

On prospects of getting him back: "We'll see. See how the next week develops."

Well as expected that suggests this saga is far from over.

BBC Wilts asked RW whether the club are making active moves to sign Doyle back.

There was a long pause before a smirk and another "let's just see what happens".

Just when I'd accepted he was gone - Wellens goes and says that.

Thing is isn't Bowyer going to look like an absolute twat and a shit manager if he gets a player in Doyles form back, and then cannot get goals out of him and has to sell him. Its basically saying I am not good enough to get the best out of players and thus would any club be keen to trust him with money going forward?

I wonder whether ego may end up scuppering everything till the summer.

He'll look an even bigger twat if they don't sell him. It's one thing to not be able to get goals out of a player in a 2-3 week period when everything's a bit up in the air and you can justifiably claim the player's head's all over the place. Quite another to fail to do so over a 4 month period

This saga is going to run longer than The Mousetrap!

Everyone's assuming Doyle won't go back to Bradford and score a hatful here....

Going by Saturday's game, it is not an unreasonable assumption to make.

Including Doyle
"I'd be disappointed if I did have to go back. I don't think I suit them, they don't suit me, and this is where I want to be."

You just know he will start and score on Saturday

He won’t - I’ve bet on Bradford to win and to score this Saturday. I urge everyone to do the same to stop this happening.

If you put it in the tips thread, then it's got no fucking chance  ;)

Twine is the same odds as Woolery to score for us on Saturday!

But who Flash,  nothing visible on the horizon yet although Wellens can be a devious little devil.

Doyle has returned to Bradford? Thought it was a very good bet that he would. Despite all the analysis, the fairly obvious point is that the 'optics' were not good.

Must be 50-1 then.

I've no idea, but you'd think that Wellens and Jewel will have a much more expansive knowledge of available players than I do.

Agreed, in general... and I said before I think even Kane would struggle to score goals in that team.

But this is Swindon. You know it'll happen.

Well they did attend the same finishing school.

Bradford are a strikers graveyard, plus Doyle won’t be fully committed to them and which will probably result in him losing half a yard of his sharpness. I don’t see him scoring for them.

Bowyer is saying all the right things.

So, next week, when Doyle returns he can heap all the blame on Doyle insisting he didn’t want to be recalled.

It’s all a giant PR and face saving exercise.

Are you going to bet anything on that Audrey? :)

What irony it would be if he scores an own goal ...

Wonder if he will get a ‘niggle’ before Saturday.

You’d expect a statement or somesuch from Doyle - expressing his delight at being recalled.

All quiet.

Nothing on his twitter account yet either, and he still has STFC as his club, but we should give it a bit more time before it means anything.

Somebody on their forum has already posted he’s signed a perm deal with us.

WUMming of the highest order!

I think they were talking about Grant

Doyle is 31, very savvy, and knows he only has one more decent contract in him.  He may be disappointed to leave Swindon but he'll be giving everything for Bradford. 

If he can start scoring for them as well then he massively enhances his reputation as someone who can score goals regardless of the playing style of the team.  His success here then becomes his achievement rather than the Swindon style of play handing him chances on a plate.

Conversely, if he flops (again) at Bradford because of their ‘style’ it’ll do his CV no favours. Showing he can only score in a team which only plays in a certain way.

Shush now. You and your "reasoned logic". Nobody wants to hear that, this is a football forum for Christ's sake

Not true. If he doesn't sign for us as he only has 6 months left on his contract he'll almost certainly sign a pre contract agreement with another club in the next month or so. Once he's done that all his focus will be on not getting injured and his next club, only thing certain is he won't be at Bradford next season.

The naiveness of some Swindon fans over Doyle has been absolutely incredible.

He was part of one of Bradford’s worst sides in their history, and despite this managed to get in to double figures for goals as they were relegated.

He starts their first two matches of the season under a fairly new manager and then is loaned out, going on a record breaking scoring run and filling his boots with 23 goals by the start of January, the best record in Europe.

Any club in the world world recall a striker in those circumstances to bolster their own promotion hopes. That it also derails STFC probably didn’t come in to their thinking - the positives of his goals alone will have made the decision a no brainer.

No wonder Bradford fans are taking the piss in their droves - a harsh lesson learnt for many of our supporters I hope.

Of course they were going to recall him - they had to.

I don’t recall many players openly stating they don’t want to be at a certain club and end up staying there.

*naivety

Don’t be pedestrian

*naïveté

Be off with your continental ways or I'll set Reg on you. The anglicised version is now an accepted spelling:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naivety

But this is a distraction from the key point which is that Chang is, as ever, wrong.

I reckon he missed out the t and meant nativeness  :)

I imagine Doyle will pick up a "slight knock" or similar in training by tomorrow or Friday. Which will deem him 50/50. Convenient - very.

As others have said, this isn't really over with. He'll be back.

Wellens liked my tweet about him being a tease and started following me on Twitter. 2+2 = Doyle is signing right? :D

I'm keeping an eye on you, next minute you'll be saying he's invited you round for tea...and we all know where that leads  :soapy tit wank:

Still convinced this is just a game plan,  deprive us of him for a few games then let him return at the last minute.
Don't reckon he'll even show his face at Valley Parade, all a paperwork exercise to save Bowyer face, he'll be sat at home waiting for the nod to return.

I think you're right in the sense of a deal will be done but in a physical sense, I think Doyle will be at Valley Parade or their training ground. Still reckon their will be a team news report from them saying he has a calf strain/slight knock/dead leg etc.

If he plays or is in the squad on Saturday, I might be tempted to watch the Bradford Match just to be a saddo.

I didn't realise you'd crossed over to the dark side.  :starwars:

Even if I accept your premise, you get massively marked down for using an American dictionary to make a point about English usage.

I can’t think of a situation where any player who has publicly stated he doesn’t want to be at a club hasn’t, eventually, got his way.

Now, Bradford may well be able to just say ‘sod it’ and leave him rotting til June. Doubt they could afford to, though.

Given his comments, Bowyer is going to look a bit of a twat if Doyle ends up coming back here.

A seamless change of playing system / style at L2 level, to accommodate one player, is much easier said than done I suspect.

I agree with those who think Doyle could be back at the CG before 31 Jan.
It is highly unusual for a player to be so vocal about which club he wanted to play at in this circumstance - the normal approach would have been equivocation about the decision not being his, in order to avoid burning bridges with Bowyer and the Bradford supporters.
His public statements in interviews that he didn’t want to be at Bradford make it very likely that their fans will get on his back if he plays a few games and doesn’t score - quite possible given the way they play if last weekend is a fair reflection of their style (or lack of it).

If he doesn’t come back we need to trust that RW and PJ have suitable alternatives lined up. As I have said on previous threads, Yates is the player I would not want to see departing now, as his all round hold up and linking play is a critical part of our style.

I think people who over-estimate Doyle's role in this decision are being naïve. There are plenty of examples of players with rather more clout than him being refused a move. If he's told to put Swindon out of his mind for the next five months, after which he can have his choice of clubs, then I'm sure he's professional enough to buckle down and do a job, particularly now his stock has risen considerably at Bradford. Having read that in-depth article about his motivations the other day, I'm sure he'll be more aware than anyone that stocks can go down as well as up, and the better he does this year, the wider his next set of options.

Don't get your hopes up on the basis of anything he's said previously. That's not relevant now. Just be pleasantly surprised if the move comes off.

Wellens said

“We will see what happens in terms of getting Doyle back.

“Eoin has come out and said where he wants to be, how he feels.

“So we’ll just see what happens over the next couple of days, maybe the next week and then we’ll go from there."

Interesting that he mentioned a couple of days, as he's only just been recalled. Hopefully we may the Ginger Pele in a Swindon shirt before the month's out.

Totally agree, if he starts Saturday I’d expect to give nothing less than 100%, comes across as a model pro

I keep on flipping between he's definitely gone and he's definitely coming back.

Fixed...kinda  :)

Well we are at that point now where we know Doyle has been recalled or gone back if you like. So Bowyer is now backed into a bit of a corner. He either plays him or he doesn’t. If he doesn’t it looks at best very awkward. If he does he then has two choices in the way they set up, either accommodate him and play the way we did or shoehorn him into their existing set up. Either way could work but one way didn’t hence his loan. The conundrum is added to by Doyle’s proclaimed desire to stay here.

I’ve much the same relationship with this debate as Brexit. Remain, Leave, bullshit everywhere, dicks on the other side, a sense of dread at the outcome and an inability to stop reading about it. Gingexit.

The bloke arrives on top form.Bowyer would be mad not to accommodate him,even if he has to alter his style

I think it's time to look ahead rather than dwell too much on what Bradford might do now that they have recalled their player.  

There's always the hope that he tries this, fails miserably and derails their promotion challenge in the process.

Plenty of reasons to suggest that this could end badly for Bradford...which makes me think that recalling him could simply be a negotiating tactic.  Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Pfft, we are the 51st state now and the sooner everyone gets used to that the better.

If you'd looked you'd see their main citation for usage is from the TLS:

can we not be the bradford forum where everytime he scores for them there are another 2 pages of sulky chat. happy to delete this thread to be honest and focus on transfer rumours


he isnt our player anymore excited for some signings.

Doyle has not yet used twitter to say goodbye to fans, nor has he changed his profile (it still says he is a Swindon player).

And he has been online. He's 'liked' two separate comments 4 hours apart.

Make of that what you will.

No point changing it for the sake of a couple of weeks  ;)

I've been regularly checking his Twitter account for that very same reason. Until he's paraded in front of the Yorkshire press, affirming his desire replicate his goal scoring feats at Bradford, then I remain hopeful he'll return.

In my even more desperate straw clutching I notice his wife has reacted with sadness at her husbands departure. Do your thing, Mrs. Doyle.

I'm in two minds... for Bradford to get the best out of him, they'll have to change their style of play. That's a massive risk, as we saw last year when Wellens took over, trying to change the ethos of a team mid-season is very, very difficult. If they do attempt it and they struggle, the pressure will only ramp up on them. However, I can't see Bradford or their fans being happy at losing a striker to a promotion rival at this stage, it'd be PR suicide for them if Doyle signs for us, continues to bang them in and we get promoted. Surely they're just gonna hang on to him until his contract is up?

My kids were properly gutted this morning when I told them he'd been recalled as well.

I think that that argument would be a lot stronger if Bradford were mid-table.  In such a scenario, they would have little to lose in recalling him and changing around the way they played - but with lots of potential upside.

But...they are in the mix already.  They already have a promotion challenge underway.  And in trying to change things around, they may just f*** it up.  The risk that having him scoring freely for us boosts our promotion bid is more or less negated by the prospect that he might also take points off other promotion rivals in the process.  I'm not hanging all my hopes on this.  After all, he is just one player and we have a decent squad this season.  But this doesn't feel over yet to me.  We'll get a clearer idea after this weekend when we see how Bradford line up.

Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on now.
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/dcaba5468033ab83ce0245dc9c3149b7/tenor.gif?itemid=7227399)

I understand the possible PR disaster for Bradford. But they do have an ‘out’.

They’ve recalled Doyle - appease the fans - then after a while they can announce that despite their best efforts it has become clear Doyle has no desire to play for them and they do not wish to keep an unhappy player.

Blame gets heaped on Doyle.

Nothing to discuss on this now, just wait and see what the next development is.

That will probably be Saturday when Bradford’s lineup is announced, if he starts then that’s that.

Don't think it's ever that cut and dry as he started both games before he signed for us... but the more I think about it, the more it doesn't make sense for Bradford to let us sign him. I've got a feeling he'll go back there and do well too.

She's also liked a lot of STFC related stuff, since the announcement. Yet no display of joy at him being back at Bradford!? It does seem very strange, considering Bradford is his parent club and we are just little Swindon, who can only afford to pay some of his wages (according to some Bradford fans). Make of it what you will :hmmm:

She's not in the negotiation and you're overthinking it. If we're looking into Doyle's wife's emotional state then this thread is waaaay too long.

In my original post I said it was straw clutching. If Doyle believes in "happy wife, happy life" who knows :D

I'm not overthinking anything. I'm just saying both herself and Doyle (since his "recall") have only liked, commented or mentioned things relating to STFC and nothing relating to Bradford.

It could mean absolutely nothing but consider he isn't STFC's player, it just seems a little out. Not the liking and commenting on STFC stuff but that there has been zero towards the club he is contracted to.

Edit: Also, this thread a wayyy shorter than that BantamTalk one. 182 pages young at the time of writing...  :crash:

Bamboo? Overthink stuff? Never.  ;)

She's a nurse. She probably doesn't have as much time as you do to worry about her husband's career. Come to think of it, she's probably more worried about being kicked out of the NHS and losing her residency rights just now.

Irish citizenship and free movement in the UK is not linked to the EU, it is a separate agreement:

https://www.freemovement.org.uk/how-will-brexit-affect-irish-citizens/

Oh. Well in that case the Ginger Pele's definitely on his way to us.  :beers:

Less of that Grenouille Rouge!

Yes possibly, which is very much why is she bothering to comment on Town fans posts and like Town Official posts etc, but zero Bradford? That's my only point really.

I think I said it before, his location in England is fairly irrelevant. If he's based near to an airport with flights to Dublin then that will help any factor too. Bristol Airport. They could live in Bath or if they fancy it a bit quieter a nice Wiltshire home in Box.

Jesus Christ, are you really giving recommendations of where they could live? You don’t half spout some shit.

Fuck me you don't half take every single word as gospel. You gullible cunt.

I wasn't being serious, even if it is a convenient equidistant type of location. They're hardly going to live in bloody Eldene if they moved here, are they? Twat.

Who else but Quagmire? Giggity.

Now he's having a go at Eldene. What's wrong with Eldene?
(http://ine.www.50megs.com/prophet.jpg)

Ah, the old I was joking line.... you have used that one many a time.

 Once upon a time the club used to have several houses which they'd put players up in when they signed. Thay included 1 Shrivenham Road which was more of a hostel type thing for younger players.

Although Stan Harland stayed there, as his GF was an ice skater, and wouldn't move to Swindon.

Most of the houses which might have been about 4 in total were off Upham Road around Wigmore Avenue.

I'm not suggesting that Doyle will be back; I'm leaning more toward him not returning. But some of those on the Bradford forum are setting themselves up for looking utter bellends if he does return to us.

Ahh the old, I couldn't fucking get it, so I'll counter it with "oh you were joking" line. Heard that one a lot too.

I love some of the cunts like you on here because it's almost as if life has become too serious for you. It's so easy for you "Mr long term forum poster" to be all billy big bollocks and dismissive of anyone that posts on here. Unless they are part of some insular clique. Oh how I long to have such gravitas as you Monsieur Quagmire.

That last sentence. That was sarcasm. Just so I don't have to explain to you, every time I post whether I'm being serious or not. Now go on, fuck off to your little lounge and have a wank.

Tbh, I’m beginning to go past caring one way or another.

Just get a fucking replacement and let’s get on with it.

Rotherham have just had their press conference and this is the latest on Yates.

Warne on Jerry Yates situation...

"I'm not in regular contact, like every day, but we are in contact.

"I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but Jerry is banging them in for Swindon. I'm well-aware of how well he's doing and I know what he can do for the team.

"We'll monitor them both and we've got the duration of the window to make a decision."

Nothing per se, but IF they were to move this way, Eldene aint the place  :)


Interesting, I didn't know that. Wouldn't really happen now though. Not with senior pros.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18148256.doyle-fine-return-bradford-city-training/

Blimey, I think i touched a nerve.
As a long term poster, part of the clique and member of the lounge it’s clear my opinion is valued more highly than yours.

That doesn't give much away, but I can't help wonder why Doyle himself has not been asked directly. You'd think they'd want to speak with a returning player when he's the leading goalscorer in Europe.

The fact that's all just Bowyer talk. Quite deafening on the silence from Doyle. Just a "He's fine", depends on the tone said but to me it reads as a little dismissive.

There’s a few pics of him training today. Looked happy enough joking with Vaughan.

Forget it. Move on. Get some fresh faces in.

I have to admit to not being that downbeat about losing Doyle - I may live to regret that.  I honestly think a competent striker (Yates' run in that role shows this) will knock in a few with the way we play right now.  Wellens has done a good job of creating a team that creates chances in the middle, from open play.  Yates would need a back-up, and moving him central would leave us light in the other three roles, so a couple of signings are likely needed.  But this doesn't feel like the time Shearer was taken away for example, or Fjortoft.  Players who created  opportunities out of nothing and we relied on.  The team is set-up to feed a middle man up top.  If he came back, fantastic, life is easy street, but there is a way forward for the rest of this season without him, and a successful one at that.

I can see Yates topping 20 by the end of the season, we need maybe 10 more from the rest of the team so a Bennett style player and a back-up  or even first choice forward would help that.

Not really mate. The Lounge is mostly a time honoured thing. I'm not particularly fussed about obtaining any sort of membership to an exclusive club. If your opinion is so highly valued on here then that's cool. At least you do admit there is a very insular clique here though. If I was that way inclined, I'd have joined the Masons when invited but although you do think it. I'm really not that much of a self entitled cunt.

Like long-term employees, many like to think that time served means "knows best", "better than they" or "more valued" but seldom it is that way. Is often people who "think they know best", have become complacent in their role and struggle to adapt to change or something new.  There's a good chunk of study on it and within in society too but I'm sure you're aware of that. You're an intelligent man.

That's why some become shocked or angered when they realise people they trusted have been doing the dirty for years.

Catch you later Quaggy.

https://youtu.be/Z42slpO4mMw

I know how much you will "love" this song.  ;)

Yep. feeling more this way now.

Both clubs have had ample opportunity to put this saga to bed. Wellens comes out and says he still wants to sign him. Bowyer comes out with da-di-da manager speak.

All STFC have to say is ‘Doyle has returned to Bradford and we are now actively seeking his replacement’

All Bradford have to say ‘Doyle is back with us and we intend for him to see out his remaining contract here’.

There must be something possible otherwise all this nonsense would have been put to bed.

Bowyer's comments today amounted to: "no comment"

yup.

According to a Bradford journo, we have not made a bid for Doyle.

Uh oh, that will set the FB group off.

For the fairly low amount he is probably worth at his age with that contract status, Bradford may as well hang on to him given the potential goals he may give them.

Power out  ;)

What do they mean by 'a bid' though? Surely it's a bit of a grey area?

Discussions will be had beforehand and if Bradford insist they want 500k, for example, then you just wouldn't bother. But that wouldn't mean there was no intention to buy.

And/or maybe we're waiting until after Saturday. If it doesn't work for Doyle, then that would strengthen our hand somewhat.

Which likely means we probably have (or are planning to).

I do think we could be seeing how things develop. Possible Bradford privately think "We take him back. If he hasn't scored rest of the window. We allow Town to talk. If he rips it up here. We keep him to aid our promotion bid."

Sounds far fetched but I guess a lot that end will not be happy if Doyle doesn't say, get a couple of crucial goals for them in the remainder of this month. Pressure will grow on Bowyer. Doyle will be unsettled, fans will be on his back, board won't be happy etc.

So it'll likely all go the opposite way and he'll bang in four v Crawley on Saturday?  :suicide:

Anyone heard this? Gary Bowyer not sounding too enthusiastic about Eoin Doyle coming back.

 A touch of Paul Hart about him when asked about formations back to journo 'Well what formation would you play?".

Sounds like he has been told to bring him back?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07zy9fs

Bowyer never sounds enthusiastic about anything. He is excruciatingly, mind numbingly dull...

Bradford forum reckons we’ve bid £130,000 for Doyle.

Fuck that.

A Bradford journo reckons we've not made a bid.

If that’s Simon Parker he seems to know fuck all. He said Tuesday that no recall decision had been made and expected no information until the end of this week!

It is Simon Parker and while he will know more than me, your assumption is correct. Mostly just a media mouthpiece for Bradford too, I'm led to believe. Could just be playing piper for the club to keep a lid on things.

Well Doyle is clearly happy Caddis has signed a new deal with us, just liked all of the Caddis signing posts on Twitter and still hasn’t changed the club he plays for, I’m sure deep down he’s enjoying the stir he’s causing.

Well a stiring among those stalking him on twitter at least

I think it's fair to say that he could have changed his Twitter profile by now and has probably not done so out of choice.

There's all sorts of conclusions that one can come to from that. Nothing conclusive, but...

It's hardly stalking these days. Social media has almost put paid to 3.14159s due to so much shit being available and people agreeing to their terms. Almost too much but if someone is relatively famous or a professional in their field then it just comes with the modern territory. Unless of course they choose not to use social media as a platform to profess. Even then, social media still can feature someone who has not opted to use it. Like one of my Uncle's.

Which also brings up the question of privacy. Those who choose to use social media (for all intents and purposes) know that whatever privacy settings they use, it is their prerogative. Yet for someone who does not use social media (see Uncle Bamboo above), how do we ensure their privacy or permission per se, because often we will see data of people who have not agreed to this or any terms. Where does this also stand in a legal sense too?

I'll admit I haven't looked into it fully but it is a concerning area and I'm not sure if it's something that has been given much thought by those in more of a position to do so.

Inconclusive conclusions?

Lolz.

Exactly!

Some of the conjecture and twitter stalking on here is verging on pathetic

Que sera

It’ll all be alright Woolery has started a ‘free GP’ campaign on Instagram.

Dave tell him he's pathetic please

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I could not give a flying one if people scoff at conjecture and/or stalking on Twitter.

The ginger Pele has STILL not changed his profile on twitter, and he has had the opportunity to do so. It would seem that the issue is not over even for the man himself.

Wellens on talksport 2 earlier. According to twitter said we cant afford him and if he wants to go Doyle has to force the issue.

Wellens and/or Power are always saying they can't afford players only for them to sign later. (Ajose, Caddis, Doyle, Bennett, Robinson...)

Just take a look at Woolery’s Instagram it’s hilarious!

How does that make him affordable?

By getting Bradford to come down to what we can/say we can afford.

Tbf, that shouldn’t be Doyle’s job.

Okay, put it this way. We've negotiated and given as much as we can*, if he's truly unhappy back there and wants to leave then he needs to make that clear to their management, because the value of an unhappy player is less than the value of a happy one.

That's my reading of it anyway, and I don't see anything unreasonable there.

*edit - or as much as we're willing to.

Apart from the 2 Bradford games, what were the games we played without Doyle this season?

Carlisle and Scunthorpe first 2 of the season

Bet he doesn’t start today.

For who?

Bradford. They wont have had time to knock the football ability out of him yet.

hate to say it again. if I was Doyle I'd sit it out and decide in the summer.

Thank you.

I see what you’re saying - his options may be open in the summer, but:

* he risks having a ropey 2nd half to the season playing Bowyer ball. His value could diminish.
* a transfer to us with various break clauses to allow him to talk to others works better for him.
* he has 2 maybe 3 seasons to go. He’s got a real chance to win a league here - and be a star in that team. A lot of players never get that chance and it may sway him. He has a similar chance at Bradford, but see point 1.

Yes, I’m trying to convince myself.

Also Cheltenham twice in the cup games.

Similar to what I was just thinking before I logged on. He really does not need to to kick a ball in anger now for either them or us for the remainder of the season. 23/23 was it? He’s laughing all the way to the bank. He gets paid for keeping himself fit up there if they don’t play him. He can run round looking interested if they do play him regardless whether he scores or not. So the reality of the situation boils down to do Bradford really need or want him as an active member of their squad? Or do they have the financial capacity to fully absorb his wages back into their budget if they do not want or need him and are happy to take that hit and deprive a promotion rival? From my perspective, I’d think he would love to come back here and finish a job. That said how long till the end of the season? Five months and he can start to look for new suitors on the back of what he has done here. If I was the chairman of Bradford I’d be more interested in what damage he could do to Bradfords promotion rivals on behalf of us (assuming they accept we are going up) for the remainder of the season. I do not think that Bradford, taking all things into account are as nailed on to a top three place as we are, play off’s certainly top three possibly depending more on their rivals like Exeter, Crewe and a number of clubs who are within four points of where they currently lie.

Wow, there's confidence for you. 😁

Nailed on top 3?" i must read the table again and revisit the fixtures for January.

I think you misjudge TGP, can see him happy to just ruaround without scoring if/when selected. He could set all sorts of personal records in the next 5 months.

I have been confident from the off this season if you’re anal enough to check my previous posts on the subject. There are enough negative posters around who thrive on drinking cold piss and eating shit sandwiches.

I thought you didn’t want to invite people around to yours for lunch?

I don’t. So you can keep your cold piss and shit sandwiches to yourself.

Are you 8 years old or something?

Don’t try to be funny, it’s not becoming.

Be coming...sniggers...yes I have the humour of an 8 year old!

It was a genuine question fanny flaps.

:clap:

Looking at the local rags and they are both questioning how they will utilise Doyle - more so, seeing as Donaldson is virtually fully fit now.

All 3 on big money, only 2 (if that) will play. Bowyer likes his 1 up top and, tbf, it’s got them in a good position.

Watch this space.

And I’m supposed to be 8? Oh the irony of it.

Doyle starts for Bradford, no great surprise. Time to move on for now.

Cone on Creepy  :)

Doyle starts for Bradford...but he still hasn't changed his Twitter bio. He has been active (such a stalker to click 'likes'), he makes no mention of Bradford and has still been liking STFC related stuff.

Also, no "Delighted to be back at my contracted club. Now to kick on on get the Bantams promoted #UTB" or even a "Game Day" type of tweet or similar. No press conference. Nada. Wouldn't Bradford want to be parading him to the media - Europe's highest scorer - as if he were a new signing?

Now he isn't required to agree to do any of this but I still find it odd. Factor in Doyle hasn't even said thanks or said goodbye for his time spent at Town.

Unfinished business for me. Three weeks of the window to go. :pint:

They’ll play him up front hth

Wrong thread please delete.

Perhaps the Doyle speculation can now be put to bed.

I did Bradford to win and Doyle to score

You’re welcome.

Put to bed...I think with these two results today it will more likely fuel the fire even more.

Edit: Also very quiet on that BantamTalk thread. Ironically the last comment on there is;

I can see how Doyle will get motivated by Bowyer.

Anyone struggling to get to sleep, listen to this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0804n0r

One or two of the Bradford Posse moaning because Doyle missed his only chance from a couple of yards from goal. Let's hope that one was for STFC!

You'd need to tell the players. Yates said today that they're hopeful he will be back.

He's the polar opposite to Wellens both in terms of personality and playing style. I notice Wellens said today that he gave them 3 days off this week and he also gave them Christmas Day off. He clearly know exactly how to manage players and it's hardly surprising that we have such a tight knit group who are enjoying themselves.

It would be great if he came back (for the right fee).  That said, we all know that no one is indispensable. Life moves on and it appears that STFC will still do well without him.

Fixed it  :D

He scored a hat trick when he played for us at Crawley... Not quite so good today..

5 league games played without Doyle

W3 D1 L1

Yates has scored in every one

Nixon saying yesterday there was to be something on Swindon today but I cannot find it. Maybe it got pulled.

He hasn’t done them yet.

Bradford shipped out Doyle, to free up wages. So surely by now taking him back and paying all of his wages there scope for bringing in any new players is now severely limited. I think that could massively impact on them.

We were paying a large proportion of Doyle wages he has now gone, McGlashan and Diagouraga have also gone. There must be a fair amount of scope to bring players in to cope with injuries and improve

I think Bradford have spent their pot and I’d be worried about what I’m seeing.

Question. Does the paying up of players contract to terminate them count in the financial fair play rules. I know transfer fees and sign on fees don’t. If it doesn’t we should have a fair bit to play with as Diagouraga was on a fair amount.


Sent from my iPhone

McNulty and Pitman rumours. Nothing we haven't heard before.

Check 👍

@littlered - they got a 2.5m sell on windfall coming  on someone called McBurnie

Sounds like there is no real reason for Bradford to send him back then unless the player pushes for the move or they fear him leaving for a free.


Sent from my iPhone

One of which is possible, and the other inevitable.

Doyle to sign for Aston Villa this week for 7.5 million according to Bantams Forum.

Ha, Ha, Ha. More chance of seeing Lord Lucan riding Shergar.

Must be the drugs they're on. 

To be fair, they seem to realize that it must be bollocks.

You'd have to be deluded not to.

I see Bowyer is complaining that Bradford were passing the ball from side to side too much on Saturday - which is apparently something they've been doing all season anyway. It sounds like he's trying to get them playing in a way that is not familiar to him to accommodate Doyle and it's not working.

I know it's just one game so far, but it seems that speculation of recalling Doyle backfiring for them could well be correct. Great work, agent Doyle.

Exactly what their fans were predicting long before he went back.   Likewise Flash,  let's hope it bites Bowyer on the ass. 

[smug] Whereas we of course could switch to a formation we'd never used or even trained for within a few hours of the game. There's your class difference. [/smug]

:toocool:

But I thought we were a one man team?  :D

We're a midtable team without Yates goals I agree.

Then again Crewe would be mid table without their 2 first choice strikers, Mansfield and Crawley would be int he bottom 2 without Maynard and Lubala goals, Bradford too would be mid table without Vaughans goals.

You cannot underestimate the need for 1 or even 2 decent strikers in a team. We have/had 2 decent strikers and without them and their goal contributions we are average at best.

Remember when we were told that having a 20 goal a season striker won’t help you go up?

I was being sarcastic mate :D

😱😱 who said that? Ooohhh the fuckers (Catherine Tate style)

No. Who said that?

:)

Absolutely shameless

Apparently Bowyer gave the Bradford players time off last week, for which their fans blamed the loss at Crawley.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I challenge you to back up your sniping with some evidence...

Doesn't he just need to write FACT?

It's science.

Please let's not go here chaps.  :headhurts:

Sorry couldn’t resist, was such an open goal.

One that a 20 goal striker wouldn’t miss

It's not difficult. A quick search of Smeeton 20 goal striker comes up with the required evidence.

And, interestingly, you'll find by doing that search that you have, in the past, argued both for and against having a 20 goal striker.

Another thread going the same way

Sorry....I'll leave it there.

If it's that easy to confirm Abrahammer's post that we were told that having a 20 goal a season striker won’t help you go up?
Then do it.

You certainly won't find it in anything I've posted and I don't remember anyone else saying it.

I think in this instance Reg is probably right guys and this is all about wording.

His argument was always that you don't need a 20 goal a season striker to get promoted, but I am pretty sure that he didn't ever say that having a 20 goal a season striker won't help you go up.

If I am wrong I apologise of course but lets be fair here.

None of that really matters. We all agreed an experienced RB was always going to be pivotal in obtaining promotion/automatic.

 :soapy tit wank:

There's no doubting where Doyle's heart is anyway....

https://twitter.com/eoindoyle88/status/1216811162928590848

 :)

https://captiongenerator.com/1632892/Bantams-boardroom-Monday-AM

love it

Wasn't expecting that to be very good, but "We're ginger, we can go on loan to Swindon Town too" got me.

I would usually think that it's pretty juvenile stuff, but that was quite funny.

I enjoyed that too TBH.

Won’t take long to get to Bowyer and the board. They could end up looking like proper chumps.

64 minutes gone,  Doyle finally gets Bradfords first shot on target.

Reckon Bradford will still keep him if he fails to score between now and the 31st?

If they can afford to piss £200,000 up the wall, then yes.

Bradford are two points off the autos. Their fans are loud because they don't play pretty football (we've all done that).

Season would implode if Bowyer left now.

Then again, it’s just 3 wins from last 15 games in all competitions

It's a marathon, they're not plummeting nor are they terminal.

You sack him now, in the final stages of a transfer window with Bowyer players not doing *that* badly then you're putting your season in way more danger.

Indeed, but they have now lost, let a 2 goal lead go and fail to score tonight (without Vaughan), all with Doyle playing. Bowyer probably shouldn't leave - it just feels a bit Flitcroft (doing ok but very shit to watch). Doyle hasn't scored when he has played for them this season (yet), so him being there isn't exactly helping their plight. In fact it would be better for them if Doyle were to leave (come to us).

Sounds crazy to say that about a man with 23 goals but he just does not fit there. If Bradford come to accept this then they may settle back down. Same shit football but at least with a player off the wage bill who doesn't fit. Regardless of quality.

Dogma.

The one thing the recall of Doyle may do is undermine Bradford and Bowyer a little, not because it was a bad decision as such, but more because the longer it doesn't pay dividends, the longer they are distracted from buying the right player or finding a way of making the team function more effectively going forward.

Northampton's result tonight was the bigger one, they look like a team finding the momentum.

You are off course right, and we only need to look at Flitcroft for a fairly close parallel (albeit poached not pushed).

Though logic didn't always come in to play once the natives become restless

Flitcroft with Mansfield could be a very close comparison - Bradford would have expectations of being top 3 at least this season, so the judgement is performance against that.  Once you start to under perform in the table, your level of performance is going to come under scrutiny.  He'd be safer right now if they were scoring and conceding but in the same position.  As it is, they are dull to watch and missing their target.  I think he's hung on well enough in the transfer window that they'll keep faith now.

I think Batch means with us.... namely we were going well under Flitcroft changed gafffer, as he says poached, and fell away.

I sometimes find myself wondering why a team in the playoffs, and in with a shout of autos, would want their manager gone.

And then I remember...

I think I would still have kept Flitcroft on if I knew it meant promotion. But I'd want rid the moment the last final whistle has been blown.

Can somebody remind me how far ahead of us Bradford will be if (when) they win all their games in hand?

Errr, they won’t be ahead of us unless we lose 3 on the bounce and they win three on the bounce. Thy no longer have any games in hand.

Minus 7 points ahead  :)

Believe he was being sarcastic

 :tumbleweed:

Lost on me then. Needs to up his game.

Apologies LL. I'll try and spell it out a bit more clearly next time.

Surely its you that need the game upped?

We all need to up our games except LL then  ;D

100%, you’re clearly already making progress I see.

The Doyle saga has been really enjoyable as far as I’m concerned, it’s added some extra spice to an already spicy season. We couldn’t have predicted that his goal scoring return would be as wonderful as it was, and who would have thought that, after we (justifiably) bemoaned his recall back to Bradford we’d be sitting as pretty as we are? It’s panned out just as many predicted; he’d be recalled by Bowyer to appease the fans, and he’d fit in like a square peg in a round hole because he very, very clearly does not suit their style of football. They’ve cut off their nose to spite their face.

In hindsight (which is a wonderful thing, of course) Bowyer bottled the decision to leave him here. If the head ruled the heart both he and the Bradford fans would admit that taking him back was never going to work. As it happens, they haven’t even deprived a promotion rival of goals, which was one of their arguments for recalling him. Not only are we NOT rivals (they are on a slippery slope right now and are looking down the table, not up) we are still scoring at a healthy rate even without Doyle. If the ginger messiah comes back, it’s more likely to be on our terms now. I’ll be chuffed to bits if he returns, but equally I’ll keep the world’s smallest violin locked away if he doesn’t. We are on a wonderful position to go up auto one way or another, and even with Doyle, I’ll be surprised if they make the playoffs

Well said.

I know RW has stated he's 99% sure Doyle won't be back, as has Power, but I still have a gut feeling we'll sign him by Wednesday. Bradford's promotion challenge is faltering, the manager's under huge pressure and Doyle just doesn't fit their system. They'll be keen to have the money freed up before transfer deadline day to get in players to suit the way they play.

Or the board sack bowyer and sanction his departure to salvage something for the piggy bank.

Edit: They are home to Nam on Tuesday, has a draw written all over it. Maybe they can bring Doyle back with them on the team bus for us to pick up from Whaddon Road.

Should do a mutual termination, everyones a winner then ;)

What the Doyle saga (and Yates) does do is put Wellens (and us) in the shop window as reputation makers. If we need a striker or two next season then that will put us right at the top of the shopping list for players.

Spot on #theswindonway 😁

Our league form without Doyle is Won 4, Drawn 1 and Lost 2, 13 GF, 8 GA.  Yates has 5 in those games with 8 goals spread out.

It's almost identical form as with Doyle - W 13, D 4, L 5, 39 GF, 23 GA.  Doyle grabbing a slightly higher % of the goals scored but less other goals being chipped in.

Basically, we have a good Manager!

Well yesterday result proves, we needed Grant more than we needed Doyle.

I would happily get Doyle back though but that "appears" to be dead in the water.

And good creative players

Yes...I wonder..."appears"... I won't truly believe he's not coming back until I see him named on the Bradford line up on the 1st Feb...

Let us think for a few minutes about Tuesdays fixtures.

Bradford V Cheltenham
Colchester U. V Swindon

If Bradford lose and GP doesn’t score it could be a pivotal moment especially if we go to Colchester and win without Yates playing or winning without Yates scoring. That would mean that GP has played FIVE games and not scored we on the other hand have done nicely without him. So any attempt by Bowyer to scupper our season will have massively backfired. Even if it was not his intention five games and no goals for GP is disastrous.

It would be an interesting (and very good) scenario...

Yeah if he comes back thats great, if he doesn't we move on. It still could be on, it may well be off, nobody seems to really know!

I think Warne actually did us a massive favour by recalling Yates

Warne "Alright Wello, has it going?"

Wellens "Yeah, not too bad Warnie. I hope you're not calling about Yatesy?"

Warne "Yeah, Oxford and Northampton have been sniffing around and our chairman said he might cash him in"

Wellens "Bollocks, why would he want to play for that piss stained scum?"

Warne "Anyway, as you're a mate I've decided to recall him for a week only and I'll bring him on for the last 5 minutes of the Peterboro' game. Then he can only play for you or us this season. What do you reckon?"

Wellens "We'll miss him, but rather it's 1-2 games than the rest of the season. I'll act all pissed off so no one gets suspicious"

Warne "Great. I'll be in touch next week then.

Probably not too far away from the truth

I suspect that it may be down to him having to play for Rotherham in order for his contract extension to be triggered.

I mentioned something similar to Gnasher, earlier in the week. Can't be arsed to find it but the line of thinking was similar. Except I said it was also to raise a motivator in us signing Doyle

RW: Oh fuck we now have no recognised striker, I'm so desperate (sic), please Mr. Bowyer can we sign Doyle and solve everyone's problems.

Of course it was tongue-in-cheek but then even Bowyer was asked by the media "Does Yates being recalled mean that Swindon will now up their interest in signing Doyle?" To which he looked awkward as the question stated the obvious. He eventually affirmed the answer to the above.

Could've been a combo of things but if it was a media foil by Wellens, we know by now, he is fairly good at toying with the media.

I still think we'll have Doyle here by end of the window. Even if he were to score on Tues. He simply does not fit into Bradford's "style". In ours, he does. Further, if Rotherham get promoted and we go up, I see no reason why we would'nt bid for Yates in the Summer.

With Doyle and Yates (plus much others), we are already L1 ready, and might I add, we could challenge for the top six too.

With Doyle and Yates (plus much others), we are already L1 ready, and might I add, we could challenge for the top six too.

Something I alluded to with an earlier post to OST (league1 ready) and I might add, for a short while I am beginning to think we could go up twice on the bounce with a solid core of the right players in place this campaign and nominal additions next.

If Rotherham wanted to sell him or to lend him to another club Warne would have been under instruction not to play him from the chairman

Think Gnash was being mostly t-i-c. With a hint of "maybe just maybe". ;)

Indeed  :)

Extra dry does seem to go over several heads here at times. I've no idea why...

"But no you must be being serious 100% of the time! Don't you dare then try to say you were fucking joking because I'll use that to counter against you, when I just didn't get it."

 :)

Shrewsbury would have beaten Liverpool if they’d had Grant on the pitch today.

And Chic Bates!

Bradford post-match update. Could yet collapse, but it sounds hopeful.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p081mtmw