The Football League Paper

MICHAEL HAS THE CHANCE TO EXCEL

- By Dan Barnes

SWINDON’S Michael Doughty is thankful for the trials and tribulatio­ns of his career so far as he reckons he’s now playing his best football to date under Richie Wellens.

The 26-year-old came through the ranks at QPR but made just 16 firstteam appearance­s for the west Londoners before making the switch to Peterborou­gh in 2017.

Doughty had loan spells at seven different clubs whilst a Rangers player, including two with Swindon, whom he joined permanentl­y at the start of the season after leaving the Posh by mutual consent – and he’s positively savouring life at the County Ground.

“Regarding QPR and Peterborou­gh, sometimes you have to go through difficult spells in your career to start playing your best football. I am hoping I am showing that right now,” said Doughty.

“(Former Peterborou­gh boss) Steve Evans has had an incredibly successful career to date.

“For me, irrespecti­ve of what the media might say, it was a mutual decision to leave. I didn’t feel I played my best football there and didn’t feel I was going to be able to. That’s a style difference rather than a personal difference.

“Richie has just left an illustriou­s playing career behind and I think understand­s – certainly in my position – what I need to improve on and get better at, and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Midfielder Doughty, the son of late former Nottingham Forest chairman Nigel, had scored 12 goals heading into this weekend. Whatever Swindon chief Wellens is doing, he’s certainly getting a tune out of the former QPR man.

Doughty added: “Throughout the course of a season, you are never going to be brilliant every week. I think the manager has an expectatio­n of me and I am going to try my best to reach that.”

 ??  ?? UPBEAT: Michael Doughty
UPBEAT: Michael Doughty

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