The Wolves defender Matt Doherty has been speaking candidly about his current run of playing time under Gary O’Neil.
He has talked highly of a developing relationship that he has with one of the Old Gold’s greatest players this year.
Although injuries have exposed Wolves’ lack of depth in the front line in recent weeks, Gary O’Neil has been less stressed since he has defensive options to fill in for absences at the back.
The manager has chosen young starlets to lead the line while veterans like Matt Doherty have been waiting in the wings to support in behind in order to make up for offensive injuries and defensive absences. This is a far different approach from previous ones. Having played in the top division for 147 games, Doherty has recently been called upon to fill in for the manager at a critical juncture where depth is desperately needed.
The Irishman was deployed at right wing-back against Luton, starting ahead of Nelson Semedo, who took up a position in the back three.
The 31-year-old got along well with the former Barcelona player.
Open about his recent relationship with Nelson Semedo, Matt Doherty Doherty and Semedo caused plenty of issues for Rob Edwards’ team during Wolves’ 2-1 victory over the Hatters by switching up who was supposed to move forward and stay back, wreaking havoc on the right wing.
Doherty expressed to the club’s official media how much he enjoyed playing alongside the £37 million 2020 acquisition against Luton.
“I believe that [alternating attacks] was natural. We were connecting naturally, without the need for a game plan, and it worked really well when we did it away from Burnley. ”
We may overplay occasionally, but we’re confident players who genuinely believe in each other and our own abilities. As such, when we pass the ball to one another, it’s because we have complete faith in one another.”
It must have pleased O’Neil to watch the duo bloom on the right, since he has found great success this season in seeing a similar threat applied to the left side with Toti Gomes and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Matt Doherty and Nelson Semedo were impressive against Luton Due to Craig Dawson’s season-long absence and Santiago Bueno’s hamstring injury, O’Neil was compelled to try Semedo’s versatility by having him play on the right side of his back three, which proved to be a successful strategy.
The figures show how successfully they collaborated, and it’s possible that the Portugal international’s position against Luton would not have been as successful without Doherty’s defensive backing and expertise.
O’Neil has found some brief solace in playing Semedo and Doherty together on the right side despite Wolves’ injury and roster problems this season; the duo’s experience will be evident at Molineux on Saturday.
The next test will be of a higher caliber when Manchester City visits, and the defense will be put to the test at the Etihad.
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