Norwich City: Callum Doyle reflects on Carrow Road loan.
Callum Doyle has felt at home at Norwich City as he bids farewell to the club following a loan spell that he believes has accelerated his development.
The defender played 40 Championship games for the Canaries during his fourth loan spell from Manchester City, but is now looking for a permanent move, and the money needed to lure him away from the six-time Premier League champions is expected to rule out a Norwich return.
Doyle, 21, was a key cog under Johannes Hoff Thorup prior to his dismissal, and he built strong relationships throughout the squad during his year at Norwich, where he beat out stiff competition to sign him last summer.
Reflecting on his season in Norfolk, the defender found a club that provided him with opportunities to improve, despite City’s failure to reach the play-offs.
“I think you’ll ask the lads, and they’ll say the same thing, I fit in right away,” the 21-year-old said.
“The staff and owners are lovely, and everyone is so nice; it’s a family-run club. The staff is so supportive, and it was so easy for me to fit in here, and the fans made it even easier.
“I have nothing negative to say about the club or anything like that; I’ve enjoyed this season.
“Unfortunately, we did not achieve the desired outcome. It’s disappointing for both me and the lads. We aren’t where we wanted to be, but we can only blame ourselves.
“The fans have been fantastic since we hit that roadblock, and now that we’ve gotten past it, they’ve been fantastic with us. Like I said, it’s a little disappointing, but as I previously stated, you have to take it in stride and move on; it’s football.
Doyle was brought in to play a unique left back role in Thorup’s system, but he ended up spending more time in his more familiar central defensive position.
Callum Doyle made 40 Championship appearances for Norwich City. (Image by Jamie Johnston/Focus Images Ltd.) Despite the inconsistency of his position, Doyle is grateful for the education he has received, which he believes will serve him well in his future endeavours, as well as the tips and tricks learnt from City’s senior professionals.
“I’ve been alternating between left-back, centre-back, and so on. I think it’s good for me, especially given my current career,” he said.
“I need to have some things in my locker. If you aren’t chosen for one position, you may have to try for another.
“But Jack and Johannes, they’ve taught me things, especially working with these players like Kenny, Angus and Shane, learning off their experiences, it’s been great.”
Individual improvement may have occurred, but City’s failure to qualify for the play-offs is undoubtedly disappointing for Doyle, who cited that ambition as a key reason for joining the club last summer.
A top-six finish was within reach until a slump cost Thorup his job and enraged Canaries fans with poor performances.
“Rightly so,” Doyle said of recent fan frustration. “They had a valid reason to be angry; the players and staff are aware of this, and it is essentially what the last two weeks have been about.
“Jack came in and just wanted to give the fans what they wanted. We kept a clean sheet against Middlesbrough, which delighted the fans. We loved it because they were behind us, especially today for the first 10-15 minutes, when it was buzzing out there and the atmosphere was fantastic.
Norwich City signed Callum Doyle to play in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s style. (Image by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd.) “It’s just good to hear again, it was just like the old times back in September when we were demolishing teams and stuff.”
Doyle leaves City on loan, despite a drop in performance in the second half of the season.
All that remains is for the England U21 international to choose his favourite moment in yellow and green.
“I have to say my goal, probably,” Doyle said. “I believe the keeper had a mare, though. You’re simply celebrating in front of the fans. It’s been great to hear them cheer my name.
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