Macdara Ferris reports from FAI HQ at Abbotstown
The first half of this season was not one that Matt Doherty can have enjoyed. At club level he didn’t start a Premier League game for Wolves for three months and was omitted from the Ireland squad in October, only making his return to the international camp the following month as a late call-up.
However, the arrival of new Wolves boss Vitor Pereira in mid-December has kick started his season, with the Portuguese manager deploying him regularly in a new position – moving him from a wing back to being on the right of a back three.
With club games under his belt, he is now back in the Ireland squad having “cleared up” things with Heimir Hallgrímsson as he explained on Monday.
“I played the first couple of games and was out for a while,” said Doherty about the start of the league campaign with Wolves.
“You have conversations. You wouldn't be normal if you didn't speak to the manager when you aren't playing, figuring out why and what you can do to get back into the team.
“I didn’t think of myself as a squad player. It may have looked like that at the time, I wasn’t getting as many minutes as I wanted.
"But the belief I had, I knew there was a possibility of a change, getting into the team, it’s a long season as long as you stay available and stay fit which I pride myself on doing.
"Results weren't going well at club level. The manager relied on me for a particular game and I played well for Gary [O'Neil] for two, maybe even three games, before he got sacked.
"Vitor Pereira came in and changed my position for the first training sessions and I have not played out wide since. I am almost thankful for that as the position I am playing I am really enjoying it and playing well.
"I played centre back a lot growing up. When I went to Wolves, at the very start I fell into the right back slot. I am getting involved in the game defensively and even in build up play.
“I always back myself to turn things around when thing weren't going well and I have managed to do it again, so I am happy. You want to just play your games every week.
"I'm fortunate enough at the moment that the manager trusts me, believes in me and is playing me.”
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About Macdara Ferris
Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile