Doherty shows O’Neill he CAN go on the attack
MATT DOhERTy epitomises everything about Wolves’ spectacular start to the season. The right back has been a pillar of consistency in a newly promoted side who have suffered only one defeat since returning to the Premier League. he, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, continued to confound their critics on Saturday thanks to the defender’s first goal of the season, which secured victory at Crystal Palace. his low finish inside Wayne hennessey’s near post after an exchange of passes with Raul Jimenez — adding to the two assists in his last three appearances — was the perfect rebuke to comments made by his national boss, too. Martin O’Neill had suggested that Doherty fails to get forward enough — that his tendency to pass inside for his club was hindering his chances of a start for the Republic of Ireland. Ahead of his call-up for this international break, Doherty has left him in no doubt of his capabilities. ‘I don’t think it has ever been a problem to be honest,’ said Doherty, when asked about observations on his attacking ability. ‘If anything the problem has been going forward too much. Today I guess you got a bit of end product with it. It feels pretty good.’ his manager also disagrees with O’Neill’s sentiments. Nuno has helped transform the defender from an outand-out right back into a more dynamic wing-back and it is testament to his determination that, among the swell of Iberian talent at the Portuguese’s disposal, the 26-year-old Irishman does not look out of place. ‘What others want from Matt, I don’t really care,’ said Nuno. ‘What I want is what Matt has been giving me and giving his team-mates. I think he’s a very, very important player.’ At this moment in time, he appears to have 11 very important players. For the eighth time in succession this season — a Premier League record — Nuno named an unchanged side. ‘It just goes to show that we are all playing pretty well,’ added Doherty. ‘It is a hard team to get into at the moment. Everyone is in great condition and it is tough for the lads but when they come on they make a difference.’ Roy hodgson has more pressing concerns. The Palace manager watched his side fail to find the net for a fourth consecutive league game at Selhurst Park, and the final whistle was met with some dissent from supporters. Bizarrely, that anger reared its head before kick-off, with one individual making his way to the front of the main stand to berate hodgson as he walked to the dug-out. The 71-year-old insists there is no quick fix. ‘Last year people would like to think it was something magical — it wasn’t,’ he said. ‘It was hard work on the training field, it was hard work working on our attacking play and our defending play and that’s what we continue to do.’