Many Wolves fans are loving Tommy Doyle at the moment – and club legend Andy Thompson reckons the midfielder will be giving Gary O’Neil one big selection headache.
Doyle came in for praise after his performance against Brighton on Monday night.
Jermaine Jenas felt he stuck out ‘like a sore thumb’ in the midfield in a positive sense, and many fans took to social media to comment on Doyle’s solid display.
He had to get through a lot of work, as did his midfield partner Mario Lemina, with Brighton having the lion’s share of possession.
It was Doyle’s third start in a row for Wolves and he has without doubt found his feet now, and in the eyes of Thompson, the 22-year-old will be very difficult to drop…
Andy Thompson thinks Tommy Doyle has given Gary O’Neil a selection headache
Wolves have some terrific midfield options right now.
Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho both left in the summer but arguably, this is the strongest pool of options Wanderers have had for some time.
Doyle has had to be patient, but Lemina going on compassionate leave allowed him a chance to start, and then Joao Gomes got a straight red card against Brentford resulting in a three-game ban, allowing Doyle to keep his place alongside the returning Lemina.
Over the last three games, Doyle has looked extremely tidy in the engine room and has also worked his socks off, and Thompson believes it will be hard for O’Neil to drop him once Gomes is available again.
He said (Wolves official): “Doyle’s grown in stature with the way he’s playing. I think he’s definitely improving and that’s going to come from match sharpness. He’s had a spell of games now and scored a wonder goal at Brentford.
“They brought him to this club for a reason and you can see what he offers. He works hard, he’s willing to put his foot in, but can also play. It’ll be interesting to see when Gomes comes back what will happen, because he hasn’t let the manager down and he hasn’t let his teammates down with the way he’s played.”
Doyle making a very strong case
Doyle was superb again for Wolves against Brighton and the youngster is definitely throwing the cat amongst the pigeons for O’Neil.
Gomes cannot play in Sunday’s crunch clash with West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup as he serves the final game of his ban, meaning another chance for Doyle to impress – and you wouldn’t put it past him doing so.
Lemina is a nailed-on pick really, but then it’s about who partners the Gabon international.
Gomes has been terrific this season and the Brazilian’s partnership with Lemina has been blossoming.
But Thompson is right to suggest that it will be hard to take Doyle out of the team.
Doyle – described previously as ‘outstanding’ by former Wolves winger Mark Kennedy – is a brilliant technician and is always looking to get the ball forward through the lines. He doesn’t play as safe as Lemina or Gomes, and is quite happy to get on the ball while under pressure.
He just brings something a little different, and presuming he continues his good form against West Brom, it would be extremely harsh to drop him.