Murray’s flying the flag

when we dropped into League One a few years ago and when we lost to Burnley when both clubs were in the Championship.

“The atmosphere was toxic and the fans were close to tearing the place apart when we lost. The fans and players didn’t get on. But winning League One helped and since last season it’s been great.

“As a player, you can’t do anything but go with the flow and raise your standards.

“I’m delighted with all the players who have come in because it makes us stronger. But I’m not going to sit back thinking: ‘Hell, what am I doing in this company?’

“I’m capable of being around the type of players that are here now and I’ve survived a lot of managers so I must have been doing something right.”

Doherty is a big fan of Nuno Espirito Santos, the Portuguese coach with Champions League experience who is now in charge and guiding the club upwards.

And he added: “He’s definitely the best coach I’ve worked with and he’s on the training pitch daily.

“Some managers are on the sidelines letting the coaches take over but he is in charge of every session.

“That helps the boys. I used to train when I wasn’t playing and if the manager doesn’t come out, it’s hard to get into it.

“There’s nobody watching who you are trying to impress. His man-management skills are excellent. He’s a top manager.” MR CONSISTENT: Doherty is closing in on 200 games for Wolves BRIGHTON striker Glenn Murray reckons old-fashioned No.9s are coming back into fashion – just before his 35th birthday. Murray hit 12 goals in the Premier League last season as Brighton stayed up and has three already this campaign as he prepares to face Southampton tomorrow.

It is not bad for a player who does not fit the ‘short, quick and technical’ tag which has been so popular in recent years. No wonder Saints boss Mark Hughes described him as ‘one of very few of his ilk’ in the modern game. But Murray (left) reckons the big men are fighting back in the Premier League.

Along with the Albion striker, Alexsandar Mitrovic, Troy Deeney, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane, Sam Vokes, Charlie Austin and Marko Arnautovic are also throwing their weight around.

“Even though there aren’t many of us, I think we are coming back,” said Murray.

“We went through a period where small and quick was in – false nines and tens.

“But now more teams are going back to a bigger guy up front that they can build play through and get the smaller ones space and time.” CHRIS HATHERALL