Wolves will be tough to beat, predicts Matt Doherty
Matt Doherty says today's tough test against Leicester City is just what Wolves need – and feels the team will be tough to beat this season.
The Irish full back was hoping to continue his run of starting every pre-season game, one of just two players to do so along with Ivan Cavaleiro.
Doherty has looked at home as a wing back in Nuno Espirito Santo's new 3-4-3 formation.
And he's optimistic that the revamped style will improve Wolves.
"We feel solid defensively – it’s hard to break down," he said.
"I’ve played against three at the back before and when teams have played it well, sometimes you don’t know where to go.
"From the back we need to build our way forward and try and get some goals.
"We’ve got one more friendly and it’s a big game as well against Leicester at Molineux. It’ll be tough and really test us out. That’s what we need.
"Your whole pre-season is preparing for Middlesbrough. You just can’t wait to get going, to get back in the season it’s a different feeling altogether."
Results and performances have been mixed in pre-season with three wins and two defeats.
But it's the work on the training ground that Wolves are placing a big emphasis on. Doherty knows it will take time to hone Nuno's philosophy.
"We’re playing three at the back and it doesn’t just click overnight," he added. "There are going to be games where it doesn’t really work for us. But we’re trying to master it in training and bring it out in the games.
"It takes a bit of time. It’s not easy to get it right. Saturday against Shrewsbury was a prime example of that.
"In the second half against Peterborough I thought we did get it right.
"We’re going to get there and when we do we’ll be very hard to play against and beat.
"It’s tough getting up and down that wing, I tell you! But you’d think (right wing back) would suit me, going forward.
"We’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll speak to Jordan (Graham) and get some tips on step-overs from him and try and take somebody on."
