Birmingham City reaction given to big Tommy Doyle, Wolves transfer news - 'I just don't think' | OneFootball

Tommy Doyle is set to return to Wolves this summer after a mixed loan spell at Birmingham City this season.

Birmingham City will already have one eye on next season, as their bid to make it successive promotions looks to be over.

Normally, a mid-table finish would be celebrated for a team that were in League One last season, but that’s not the case with Blues due to the spending power of their ambitious owners.

It had been hoped Chris Davies could lead the team to the Premier League, but he is facing increased scrutiny due to recent performances, with some feeling this squad is capable of more.

Tommy Doyle set to return to Wolves after Birmingham City loan

Tommy Doyle was among the high-profile signings in the summer, with the midfielder joining on loan from Wolves with an obligation to buy if Blues won promotion.

On paper, it looked a shrewd addition, as the former England U21 international has won promotion from this level with Sheffield United before, and he was decent for Wolves in the top flight.

Even though Birmingham have seen flashes of Doyle’s undoubted quality, he hasn’t always nailed down a place in the XI, and with the obligation not going to be triggered, it has been reported he is set to return to Wolves, who will be Blues’ Championship rivals next season.

Of course, a deal could still be agreed, but when asked by FLW whether that’s something the club should pursue, Birmingham fan pundit Jason Moore explained that he would be happy to keep Doyle, but he would prioritise a midfielder that could add more bite and physicality.

“I kind of feel for Doyle, because he has looked quite good this season, and there’s 100% a player there, and probably a player that’s too good for the Championship. I just don’t think he has fitted in to what we’re about. For me, it looks like he needs to be in a midfield three, I’m not sure he works in a two.

“If I had a gun to my head over the possibility of signing him, I’d probably say yes, but I don’t think I’ll be that upset that he’s going back to Wolves.

“It’s a mixture. I’m happy for us to go out there and look elsewhere, it just means it’s slowly becoming another summer for us when we’re going to have to go and sign like eight players again, which doesn’t help the continuity side of things.

“Wolves are going to come down and have a bad squad, so Doyle is Championship proven and they’ll want him back.

“So, I’d rather go and get some real steel in the midfield that is proven at this level over Doyle. I can see both sides, but we do need some steel.”

Tommy Doyle has a lot to offer at Championship level

It was always going to be difficult for Doyle to force his way into the Blues XI initially, as Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho were outstanding last season and had credit in the bank.

However, even though Doyle has played 34 times this season, it doesn’t feel as though he had a proper run in the right setup that would’ve allowed him to flourish.

Everyone can see that he is someone who lacks speed and power, but he is a brilliant footballer, and he can help control the tempo with his passing range.

Davies could have done more to utilise Doyle’s strengths, and it’s surprising he hasn’t been given a run alongside Jhon Solis recently, as they could complement each other well.

With Wolves set to suffer relegation, they will be direct rivals to Blues next season, so they would not want to sanction a sale now that they don’t have to.

Therefore, Doyle will return to Molineux ahead of next season, and it will be interesting to see if Rob Edwards finds a key role for the ex-Man City man.