Vitor Pereira could do with his international players returning to Wolves in good form – but one player suffered a ‘nightmare’ outing last night.
It’s been another tough start to the season for Wolves, who have lost all three of their Premier League games so far.
The Manchester City game was perhaps an expected loss. But Wanderers fell disappointingly short against Bournemouth and Everton, and the pressure is already cranking up at Molineux.
Many feel Wolves didn’t have a good transfer window, so the 2025/26 campaign could be a real struggle.
What will be majorly important this term, is that the experienced players in the squad stand up and be counted.
One man who certainly falls into the ‘experienced’ category is Matt Doherty – but the 33-year-old had a game to forget last night.
Irish media unimpressed by Wolves defender Matt Doherty vs Hungary
Doherty has been a firm favourite with Vitor Pereira since the Portuguese came to the club.
He has mostly played on the right of the back three, a position he has come to love, and by and large he’s done a decent job there.
Perhaps all the time he’s spent in that role has had a detrimental effect on his ability to play as a full-back then.
Because last night, playing as a left-back, he struggled for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-2 draw with Hungary. Here’s what some Irish publications made of his performance.
The Irish Times (4/10): “Nightmare evening. Played Varga onside for the first goal and his faffing about brought the corner for the second. Seemed cowed after that and offered nothing going forward. Brought off with half an hour to go.”
RTE (4/10): “A difficult night at the office for the Wolves man. His 53rd cap began badly when he didn’t cover himself in glory for the opening goal – a headed clearance back into traffic and failing to get out quick enough from the cross to play offside – and a mix-up with Nathan Collins saw the needless concession of the corner that led to the corner for the second goal.
“The 33-year-old looked a little off the pace throughout, though was unfortunate that a slip on the stroke of half-time nearly saw Hungary plunder a third goal but for Kelleher’s intervention. Will come under pressure to retain his place for Armenia.”
Balls.ie (4/10): “Played a poor part in the opening goal of the game, putting his clearing header back into a dangerous area in front of the Irish box. It was also his error on the ball that led to the corner that resulted in the second goal of the game.”
Sportsjoe.ie (4/10): “Just not sure Doherty is an international left back. Didn’t push out quick enough for Hungary’s first goal, leaving Varga onside, and slipped again just before half-time leading to another Hungary chance. Improved slightly in the second half before being subbed off for the final quarter.”
Doherty’s Wolves starting spot is under threat
Doherty’s performance against Hungary may come as a concern to Pereira.
However, it must be noted that he played a totally different position than he’s been used to at Wolves, and the Wolves manager might bring that into consideration.
But there’s no doubt about it – Doherty’s days as a regular starter at Wolves might be coming to an end soon.
Wolves have Yerson Mosquera fit again, and he’s a player Pereira also really likes, having praised him last season while he was out injured.
New signing Ladislav Krejci could also make life difficult for Doherty. He could start in defence with Emmanuel Agbadou to move over to the right side.
And there’s also Santiago Bueno, who has started the season quite well despite the struggles of the team.
Doherty has done a great job for Wolves since Pereira came in, but he’ll now need to step up if he is to stay in the team.