Matt Doherty @ Atletico Madrid

[McFlash]

There is something very strange about this one. Lot's of talk of them being in for Maitland Niles maybe that is a similar fee for a younger player with a (Supposedly) higher ceiling. Either way I can't understand why they would want to strengthen us and weaken themselves unless there is something dodgy with Mendes.

I just think that Mendes is so heavily involved with Wolves and has pretty much supplied their entire team, good players for good prices, he's calling a favour to help his mate Jose.
Doherty, a Mendes client, will no doubt be replaced with another Mendes client.

 

[Marty]

Just looked it up and it was Wanyama In 2016 from Southampton who finished 6th.

Ah, I knew I'd forgotten someone obvious.

 

[bat-chain]

Does he qualify as home grown for PL or CL?

 

[Danfunkel]

Christ. Just read on that forum were ‘direct rivals’ to wolves. You what mate....?

 

[Tucker]

Ah, I knew I'd forgotten someone obvious.

Such a shame that injuries ruined his time at Spurs, he’d still be a massive player for us otherwise.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

One thing to remember with Doherty is that despite the PL proven element he is a very unique player who plays in a unique position and formation for Wolves.
He’s a wing back without good pace (probably even a little slower than Davies), and isn’t actually primarily a crosser of the ball the way Trippier or even Aurier is. He isn’t great defending 1:1, and his elite traits are work rate, positioning, interplay in the final third, and aerial duels. I think he’s going to take some heat on here initially as he adjust as he’s been at Wolves since we had Redknapp in charge, and at age 28 will not be just tailor made to slip into the weird hybrid RB/RWB role in Mourinho’s system. His timing and give and go passes, probably his best qualities at Wolves, will also take time to perfect. So I’m excited but please, please temper expectations at first.

In our last match against Ipswich, I think that Gedson was playing somehow similar to how Doherty has been playing. This is because I think that Gedson made some underlapping runs and often carried the ball to the middle of the pitch.

 

[mark87]

BA flight from Cagliari is due to land at heathrow in 30 mins.

Heathrow is about 20 minutes away for me, I'm on my way lads.

 

[Jules77]

Christ. Just read on that forum were ‘direct rivals’ to wolves. You what mate....?

We were this year..

 

[Colonel Dax]

One thing to remember with Doherty is that despite the PL proven element he is a very unique player who plays in a unique position and formation for Wolves.
He’s a wing back without good pace (probably even a little slower than Davies)

 

[thebenjamin]

I have nothing but respect for the way Serge has given his all for this club, especially in trying circumstances. I feel no need to belabor his very real flaws, though I don't think he has been the disaster some have made him out to be.

Just chiming in to add one thing I like about this transfer that I haven't seen mentioned as much. The way we have played under Mourinho, the RWB (in possession) receives the ball in some great positions. I have been frustrated with the fact that Serge never seems to take a man on--generally its either a cross or a pass to closest mid (Sissoko). Perhaps I am incorrect, but Doherty seems to want to be on the front foot and is not afraid to attack his man. I think the combination of his making runs, as well as running at the opposing fullback when he gets the ball with space ahead may really upgrade our attack.

Doherty isn't someone who's going to beat his man and whip crosses in. He doesn't even really stay wide. He gets in the box, beyond the striker even, and gets on the end of passes himself. He can get to the byline and pull it back but his actual crossing from wide is nothing to write home about. He's all about off the ball movement and darting runs inside.

 

[Tucker]

Christ. Just read on that forum were ‘direct rivals’ to wolves. You what mate....?

I can see why they’d see us as rivals. They only just finished below us this year, and have been snapping at the heels of the top 6 since they came up a couple of years ago.

 

[yido_number1]

Jenas from Newcastle maybe?

It's definitely a long long time ago.

Wanyama and via the back door Alderweireld probably come under that category.

 

[emiley heskey]

It's fucking weird if we're not. Sessegnon has demonstrated he is nowhere near ready to play there. I can't see Rose playing for us again. Jose likes Cirkin but hasn't deemed him ready for for 1 minute of first team football yet. We really don't want Tanganga, a right footed centre back, playing there.... so what happens if Ben Davies gets injured?

Jose likes right footed left back

 

[BENNO]

I can see why they’d see us as rivals. They only just finished below us this year, and have been snapping at the heels of the top 6 since they came up a couple of years ago.

Let's face it, West Ham think they are direct rivals to us so Wolves certainly have a better case !

 

[hellava_tough]

Does he qualify as home grown for PL or CL?

He's definitely HG for the PL...

Explained: Where Wolves stand on signing English players

Latest Wolves news includes a closer look at summer transfer plans

www.birminghammail.co.uk

Can't remember if the CL rules are different

 

[brb627]

Doherty isn't someone who's going to beat his man and whip crosses in. He doesn't even really stay wide. He gets in the box, beyond the striker even, and gets on the end of passes himself. He can get to the byline and pull it back but his actual crossing from wide is nothing to write home about. He's all about off the ball movement and darting runs inside.

Appreciate the insight! I think what we each said can be true. I saw a statistic that Doherty has more touches in the box than any other defender over the last two seasons. So, while he may not have the pace to beat a man one-on-one, he seems like a player who is willing to take the space he is given and drive into the box with the ball (along with receiving the ball in the box after a darting run). If so, that quality excites me, as I think it is something we have lacked from our wing play over the last few seasons.

 

[dagraham]

Doherty isn't someone who's going to beat his man and whip crosses in. He doesn't even really stay wide. He gets in the box, beyond the striker even, and gets on the end of passes himself. He can get to the byline and pull it back but his actual crossing from wide is nothing to write home about. He's all about off the ball movement and darting runs inside.

Is that because he can’t cross a ball, or is it because they have Traore causing mayhem down the right hand side?

Guess we’ll find out the answer next season.

 

[Japhet]

Heathrow is about 20 minutes away for me, I'm on my way lads.

See if you can use your drone to get a few pictures.

 

[Hotspur33]

Our transfer business this window, is sort of like the film "moneyball". Players in that are not stars, but fit for purpose, in the hope the collective will be very strong.

 

[razzmaster]

Appreciate the insight! I think what we each said can be true. I saw a statistic that Doherty has more touches in the box than any other defender over the last two seasons. So, while he may not have the pace to beat a man one-on-one, he seems like a player who is willing to take the space he is given and drive into the box with the ball (along with receiving the ball in the box after a darting run). If so, that quality excites me, as I think it is something we have lacked from our wing play over the last few seasons.

What that should also do is drag the full back inside to create room for our right winger.

I just hope that we don't need to use a midfielder to cover the way Sissoko used to do with Aurier.