Mick McCarthy
Yes. That’s how I’m starting off this piece.
Why?
Not because lovely ol’ Mick is in the running or is stunningly in line for a return to the big time at Wolves.
No.
It’s because that Matt Doherty remains the last of the ‘McCarthyites’.
Matt Doherty is the last player who remains at the club who was bought by the Yorkshireman (cue replies showing my mistake).
Batth, Ikeme and co came through the academy. Already established under Mick. Matt Doherty was a Mick pick.
Over 12 years since Mick became Wolves manager and a tiny part of his legacy still remains at the club.
Why am I still using Mick? Well, it’s for this reason why Matt Doherty remains an important part of this side.
Longevity.
Matt Doherty has seen many managers during his time at Wolves, 8 in fact, but during all those tenure’s the Irishman has still been chosen to play in the Old Gold and Black.
He hasn’t been moved on. He has remained part of the furniture in that starting eleven, and this season shows the reason why.
This consistency, amongst others which I am about to argue, is why amongst the flair, the true Player of the Season, and the Wolves Fancast Player of the Season, should be Matt Doherty.
A bit of backstory.
Matt Doherty signed for Wolves for the modest fee of £75,000 from Irish side Bohemians after being spotted by Wolves on a pre-season tour in 2010.
A league debut against non-other than Liverpool would come and following loans to Hibernian and Bury, Doherty settled into a regular first team place from 2013.
Doherty has been consistently picked by managers since, and deservedly came away as the club’s official player of the season in 2016.
On the field, his consistency has become an evolution.
His status as an attacking wing back began under Kenny Jackett, but has been enhanced with Nuno.
Given the freedom to attack, Doherty has flourished under this role and with Barry Douglas turned into another attacking option.
He’s also defender who also chips in with the goals. His Cryuff-esqye turn and goal v Reading earlier in the season just a sign of the potency he possesses.
His high line performances this season still baffled fans as to why he had not been given a chance on the international scene. But then this year Doherty finally received his first international cap for the Republic of Ireland in a 1-0 defeat to Turkey.
In the Championship, a key ingredient to success his stability and progression. Matt Doherty has this in bucket loads and will continue to evolve as Wolves head into the Premier League.
You might look to the style and goals of Neves, the captaincy of Coady. The brute force of Cavalerio or the wall that is Boly.
Yet the player you should be casting your vote for is the one who has been here the whole time.
Matt Doherty is on his second Wolves Fancast Player of the Season nomination.
It’s time to say “Here is your winner and the TWO TIME…”
Is Matt Doherty your Wolves Fancast Player of the Season 2017/18? Cast your vote here
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