‘I don’t care if Sa scores!’ - Tommy Doyle’s one priority for Black Country derby

Tommy Doyle has already savoured victory in a Black Country derby with Wolves - now he wants another taste.

Doyle is part of a small contingent of players who featured in the last meeting between the fierce rivals at The Hawthorns in January 2024, when Wolves came out on top in the FA Cup.

There was no shortage of drama that day - and the midfielder is determined to help Wolves steal the headlines again and secure two derby wins in a row at Molineux this weekend.

He said: “Obviously the last one I played in was quite eventful, wasn’t it?

“It was a good game. Some things probably got a bit out of hand, but that’s what this fixture brings.

“It was obviously a good one to win and I want to win again.

“I’ve never had the pleasure of playing in one at home. It should be exciting. Obviously we’re expecting a loud occasion, I am really looking forward to it.”

In preparation for the highly anticipated clash, Albion boss James Morrison enlisted the services of supporters’ club chairman John Homer to inspire and educate his players ahead of the game.

Meanwhile, Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto revealed the club have been showing videos around the training ground - including in the canteen while players are eating - to help them understand the significance of the fixture.

Doyle says the squad, including those who are not from the UK, are well aware of what the derby means to Wolves supporters.

“We know well,” he added. “Some of us have played in this before, we speak a lot about it.

“We understand the magnitude of the game and what it brings. But we have to have a calmness going into it.

“We understand that it isn’t classed as any other game, but we have to treat it like that. And that’s how we perform at our best.

“We have to give everything for the badge and for the club, and especially for the fans, because we know what it means.”

Manchester-born Doyle also recalled his grandfathers’ own experiences of derby occasions. Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe both played for Manchester City, and they both also featured against Wolves in the 1974 League Cup final.

“It’s everything, I know it from my grandad’s and they probably took it too far as well back in that day,” the 24-year-old smiled.

“You feel it, you have to feel it. You have to embrace it. It’s such a massive occasion, but it’s an enjoyable occasion.”

Today (September 18) marks exactly two years since Doyle scored his last goal for Wolves.

And while he will be hoping to play his part in the derby this weekend, the midfielder does not care how Wolves find the net - even if goalkeeper Jose Sa gets on the scoresheet.

Doyle said: “The most important thing for me is winning, we have to win. If I score, if somebody else scores, it’s no problem for me. We have to win the game.

“If Sa scores, I don’t care. We are all in this together, this is a collective group. And we all have to be ready.

“If there is a chance that falls to one player, they have to be ready, they have to be in the right mindset.”