The 2024/25 calendar couldn’t have got off to a worse start for Wolves, who sit bottom of the Premier League table.
After seven games played in the league, the pressure is already on Gary O’Neil, who is yet to lead his side to a win this term.
With just one point to their name, Wolves sit 20th, heading into the October international break with limited confidence.
As the domestic action prepares to resume, O’Neil will be eager to turn things around swiftly at Molineux, in a bid to boost morale in the dressing room.
Tommy Doyle hit hard by Wolves struggle
The players will be desperate to improve Wolves’ form, with plenty wanting to make a difference for the sake of the team and boosting individual confidence.
It’s been hard for the squad this term, with few facing a struggle as painful as Tommy Doyle, who despite being incredibly talented, has fallen down the pecking order by no fault of his own.
O’Neil has praised the Englishman multiple times however, that has not changed the midfielder’s chances of becoming a starter at Molineux.
Wolves signed Andre in the summer, changing the dynamic of O’Neil’s midfield, pushing the former Manchester City starlet further away from the action.
It’s difficult for Doyle not only from the viewpoint of what is happening at Wolves, but also when looking at the bigger picture of what his former teammates are now doing.
Being part of a remarkably talented Man City youth side, Doyle featured alongside the likes of Morgan Rogers, James McAtee, Liam Delap and Cole Palmer, four players who have gone on to take significant steps in their careers.
Sealing a move to Wolves was a big change for Doyle, who left City to get a greater chance although, this hasn’t been the case due to the competition within O’Neil’s squad.
Seeing Rogers thrive at Aston Villa, Delap scoring at Ipswich Town, McAtee utilised by Pep Guardiola and Palmer at the top of his game must be difficult for the Wolves outsider.
Doyle has to find a way into Gary O’Neil’s line up
The situation is particularly trialling for Doyle as there’s an open understanding that the 22-year-old’s potential is being wasted on the bench at Wolves.
O’Neil relayed that Doyle believes he should be ‘starting every week’ for the Old Gold, but is having to be patient due to the manager’s preference to play Joao Gomes, Andre and Mario Lemina.
While the England U21 star has an admirable temperament, it’s clear that he’s not happy with his game time at present, having started 11 Premier League games since arriving at Wolves last summer.
Frustratingly, all that Doyle can do is wait for his chance to shine but with a thought to the player’s development, it’s questionable how long the midfielder should wait to get his opportunity.