Doherty’s form a timely fillip for McCarthy
YOU cannot fail to be impressed by Matt Doherty’s performances for Wolves this season.
The former Bohs defender got his third assist against Chelsea the other night and already has two goals from his right-wing-back position.
It seems strange that he could not impress Martin O’Neill enough to get a regular slot in the Ireland squad under the previous regime, never mind the starting line-up.
Wolves, who play at Newcastle today, got a very good win over Chelsea in midweek on the back of five games without victory having made an impressive start to the season on their return to the Premier League.
Doherty is arguably the most consistent right fullback in the Premier League this season and it is strange to think that the three players all playing regularly and well in the top flight – Doherty, Coleman and Duffy – are all defenders.
He knows his role at Wolves and exactly what is expected under manager Nuno Espirito Santo. He plays so high and wide in the Wolves back-line that he is virtually a winger but his defensive work is underestimated. I like him in one-on-one situations and he has developed that side of his game.
There are rarely many changes to the Wolves team and that continuity and consistency has probably helped his form and confidence.
I genuinely have no idea why he could not get a run under Martin O’Neill. But when you have a player in the Championship team of the season, then doing well in the Premier League, you would expect him to feature.
He was somewhat naive, and very brave, to make his comments about the previous regime after their exit.
I have no doubt Mick McCarthy will be expecting him to keep his thoughts to himself now and let his football do the talking. Hopefully for Ireland as well as Wolves.