Joe Hodge has hailed his fellow countryman Matt Doherty since he returned to Wolves in the summer.
Doherty was the second new player through the door this summer, after the club moved for another free agent Tom King.
It was a move that raised eyebrows.
Because Doherty had long been associated with the role of a wing-back.
During his first spell at Wolves, Doherty shone in that position.
But Wolves’ primary formation now uses more traditional full-backs, so some wondered why Doherty was brought back.
But so far that has been no evidence to suggest Doherty will struggle – and Hodge believes the club have landed a great player…
Joe Hodge hails Wolves defender Matt Doherty
Doherty hasn’t yet broken into Wolves’ starting XI as a regular, with Nelson Semedo having shown some pretty good form so far.
But he’ll likely get his first Premier League start since returning at the weekend against Bournemouth, with Semedo suspended.
Hodge is particularly delighted that Doherty is back at the club, even going as far as to brand him a ‘hero’.
He said (via Express & Star): “It’s been class. Doc’s a great player, everyone knows that.
“He’s a good guy to have around and a good guy to learn from as well. Doc’s done a lot in football and is someone I can speak to whenever I need advice on something.
“He’s been class, he’s a great guy.”
“Absolutely, he’s a hero. He’s been a hero for Wolves fans for a long time and for Ireland fans as well.
“I couldn’t ask for a better professional to look up to in the first team.”
Doherty was a solid signing
Hodge clearly rates Doherty really highly, not just as a player but as a person too.
And it has to be said, it was a good move from Wolves to bring him back. And ex-Wolves players Ryan Bennett and Barry Douglas both thought the same.
It didn’t work out for Doherty at Tottenham Hotspur or Atletico Madrid and he’s a player with a point to prove
He knows Wolves, and although the system may be slightly different, you get the feeling he will contribute this term.
It does look as though Wolves will move to the wing-backs formation when the time is right, as has been the case recently.