Matt Doherty @ Atletico Madrid

[synththfc]

A wingback should still be able to play rightback to the same level, otherwise wingback is just a word for someone who isn't good enough to be a winger and isn't solid enough defensively to be a fullback.

Judging by Wolves' fans descriptions of him, this is exactly what he is

 

[Thenewcat]

I think it’s fair to also assume Mourinho wanted a RB with stronger aerial presence — an area I’d still say Doherty has outperformed both the RBs you’ve mentioned.

As you mentioned he was also playing with the “B-team” back line tonight, who really didn’t help him (shoutout Sanchez).

I’d like to see us all give him more time to adjust to a new squad and arguably a new position before writing him off (not that you have).

It’s early to write him off but the signs have not been encouraging. Blaming Sanchez is just irrelevant - you could just as easily say it doesn’t help Sanchez to be playing alongside Doherty, and either way that hardly explains why he can’t throw or kick a ball in the vague direction of a teammate. I’ll give him a COVID pass tonight but overall he’s looked like a poor signing so far. Good job Aurier has been nothing short of outstanding

 

[Spurs 1961]

Interesting how people love to blame Sanchez. Doherty was, once again, a liability as he kept falling over. He seems to offer nothing in defence or attack. I guess that is why he cost next to nothing

 

[King of Otters]

Looks like he’s running through treacle. Not mobile enough to be a top level right back, unfortunately.

 

[tony0379]

I'm expecting a goal and an assist from this little gooner prick on Sunday

 

[TheTanguy]

I'm expecting a goal and an assist from this little gooner prick on Sunday

I expect him to play 0 minutes

 

[Mornstar]

Another triffic performance from the lad. Spells the end of Aurier for me. Great at wing back y'know ..top top class, smashing

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Looks like he’s running through treacle. Not mobile enough to be a top level right back, unfortunately.

Not that I was a particularly dedicated watcher of Wolves, but I saw which of them to be impressed with their style and saw enough of him to think he’d be a good signing for us. Goes to show that a player doing well at one club is no indication of how he’ll do at the next. Even so, we’ve been here before, hopefully the guy can turn it around.

 

[amathews3416]

Great signing, simply because it provided competition for Aurier and lit a fire under his ass.

 

[barry]

Doherty was signed to make Aurier better. This gambit has far exceeded expectations.

Aurier was valued at 20 million in the summer, and Doherty was valued at 15. Atm Doherty is probably worth about 8 and Aurier maybe 35. So a net positive.

Doherty can still do a job against more defensive teams.

Thank God Aurier stayed. Knew he had potential based on his physical traits, but didn't realise how good he could be.

 

[Trees]

New pair of studs would be a start

 

[Shadydan]

Doherty was signed to make Aurier better. This gambit has far exceeded expectations.

Aurier was valued at 20 million in the summer, and Doherty was valued at 15. Atm Doherty is probably worth about 8 and Aurier maybe 35. So a net positive.

Doherty can still do a job against more defensive teams.

Thank God Aurier stayed. Knew he had potential based on his physical traits, but didn't realise how good he could be.

Was he?

 

[heinsmit]

Doherty was signed to make Aurier better. This gambit has far exceeded expectations.

Aurier was valued at 20 million in the summer, and Doherty was valued at 15. Atm Doherty is probably worth about 8 and Aurier maybe 35. So a net positive.

Doherty can still do a job against more defensive teams.

Thank God Aurier stayed. Knew he had potential based on his physical traits, but didn't realise how good he could be.

Aurier has become better but this is revisionism because I don't think anyone saw it as making Aurier better at the time. It's highly likely he was signed to replace Aurier in the starting XI but it hasn't worked out that way because Aurier stuck around unexpectedly, upped his game and Doherty has been crap.

I don't see the need to retroactively change the narrative - but agree it's been a net positive in that Aurier has improved despite Doherty disappointing so far

 

[Shadydan]

Aurier wasn't even that bad anyway, he was just asked to play in a system where he was one of our main attacking outlets, when he was caught up the pitch he used to rush back because he was out of position, he just looked bad because he was playing in an imbalanced system.

 

[barry]

Was he?

he was

 

[The Apprentice]

I've been surprised at his lack of athleticism. It's not something he can coach either, just looks awkward and immobile.

 

[Shadydan]

he was

Says who, do you have a link?

 

[barry]

Aurier wasn't even that bad anyway, he was just asked to play in a system where he was one of our main attacking outlets, when he was caught up the pitch he used to rush back because he was out of position, he just looked bad because he was playing in an imbalanced system.

That's very true. After watching the Amazon doc I realised this. I remember one scene during a prematch team talk where he specifically stated this to Jose, basically stating if you want me to be our primary attacking outlet on the right I gonna be fucked in defence. This season Jose has instructed Hoj, and Moussa to fill in defensive holes, which has worked a treat so far, or at the least made us a defensive powerhouse

 

[Spurs_Bear]

The worst thing that has happened to Doherty is Regy. It's worked out well for us but he's having to learn how to be a disciplined full back rather than a Wing Back like he was at Wolves. And he's not doing that well unfortunately, and at 29 you'd question how likely he is to be able to pull it off.

 

[carpediem991]

The worst thing that has happened to Doherty is Regy. It's worked out well for us but he's having to learn how to be a disciplined full back rather than a Wing Back like he was at Wolves. And he's not doing that well unfortunately, and at 29 you'd question how likely he is to be able to pull it off.

I am not sure that is the case. Not only yesterday Doherty played on the right and Davies on the left. Nothing to do with Reguilon. If we would have kept Sessegnon, I doubt we would have used the overlapping on the right system.

Even if, Doherty has not shown much promise going forward either. Look at the first goal we conceeded. He fell over far up the pitch and lost the ball. That had nothing to do with his RB position.