Express & Star

Matt Doherty: Don't forget where Wolves have come from

Matt Doherty says the Wolves fairytale ride has been unbelievable – as he stated the importance of remembering where the club has come from.

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Just five years ago Wolves were promoted from League One under Kenny Jackett.

They now sit eighth in the Premier League and reached this season's FA Cup semi finals.

Doherty said: "It’s been unbelievable. You’ve got to remember it’s been a short space of time where this has all happened, it’s not that long ago that we were in League One, we had a season there where we were able to get up straight away and had a few seasons in the Championship.

"It was only the start of pre-season the season just gone when we were under a new manager and started to bring players in and it’s all kind of clicked straight away..

"I guess a lot of credit for that has to go down to the backroom staff and management as they were able to make it happen straight away."

Doherty has played a key role in Wolves' campaign, providing seven goals and seven assists in all competitions.

The Irishman says he's fitter than ever before – and embracing his wing-back role.

"I absolutely love playing wing-back," he added. "The licence you get going forward, obviously you still have to do your defensive work – defending is still number one.

"But the way the manager gives us the freedom to just go forward and be the highest player on the pitch at times, for a player it’s the best feeling to score a goal or be involved in a goal, so it’s allowed me to get into positions higher up the pitch to score more goals than I probably would have done before.

"I actually love playing wing-back and have really enjoyed the change.

"I’ve got a lot fitter, I’m a lot fitter this season than I have been in the past, mainly because it’s a more intense league. I had to be fitter for the Championship last season and I needed to improve myself just to survive and compete in the league.

"Then in the Premier League you have to be even fitter and stronger, and I’ve had to make sure for my position I’m in the best shape possible otherwise it could be a disaster.

"I wouldn’t say I’m surprised at how well I’ve done. I’m a confident type of person any way so I would always back myself, but it’s different to actually going to do it."