O’Neil admits £50k-a-week Wolves star isn’t currently happy with his game time

Gary O’Neil has admitted Matt Doherty is ‘disappointed’ with the amount of game time he’s had this season, but says the player understands the situation.

Doherty was something of a surprise addition for Wolves in the summer, rejoining the club on a free transfer.

He had just ended an underwhelming short spell at Atletico Madrid, which followed a stint at Tottenham Hotspur.

Doherty returned to Wolves in the hope of finding form again.

After all, he really shone during his first spell at Molineux, especially under Nuno Espirito Santo.

But Doherty has so far only made 14 appearances for Wolves, with most of those being as a substitute.

Gary O’Neil has expressed sympathy for the player, but says that he simply can’t overlook what Nelson Semedo is doing right now…

Gary O’Neil says Matt Doherty is ‘disappointed’ over Wolves game time

Doherty scored his first Premier League goal since returning to the club against Chelsea on Christmas Eve.

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He popped up in the box to score in injury-time, which isn’t exactly something Wolves fans have never seen before.

Doherty still possesses a goal threat, as evidenced by the two goals he got against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

Unfortunately for him, this isn’t quite enough for him to be a regular starter right now, with O’Neil saying (Express & Star):

“He’s been really patient and it’s mainly because I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Nelson, who has done really well down that side.

“Doc can play on the left but Rayan and Hugo are both there as well.

“Doc understands. He’s disappointed, of course, with how little game time he’s

had and I’m disappointed as well that I’ve not managed to find a way to use him more.

“But we are working on it and I understand he does need to be playing matches, and

coming on the pitch and having an impact like that does no harm to his chances.”

Semedo currently undroppable

Opportunities have been a little scarce for Doherty so far since he re-signed, but he’s in a bit of a tricky spot.

Nelson Semedo has been a really solid performer this season for Wolves, barring the

odd game here and there. On WhoScored, he currently sits ninth in the who squad for average match ratings with (6.65).

The Portuguese hasn’t always convinced at Molineux

but under O’Neil he seems to have found a bit more consistency, and it’s clear the manager rates him highly.

So £50,000-a-week man Doherty is going to have to be patient to play regularly over Semedo.

Obviously Wolves also have three very good options for the left side in Rayan Ait-Nouri, Toti Gomes and

Hugo Bueno so it is a bit of a frustration situation for Doherty right now.

But he knows how it is and is a top professional, and it’s clear he’s still a useful squad player.

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