“Matheus Cunha Steals the Show as Wolves Crush Fulham 4-1 – But One Key Player Could Be Fearing for His Future After Gary O’Neil’s Surprising Tactical Call”
Wolves’ 4-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday was nothing short of a statement performance, marking one of the most uplifting results for the club in recent memory. Matheus Cunha was the hero, scoring two goals and providing an assist for Joao Gomes, leading his team to a dominant win at Craven Cottage.
What made the result even more impressive was the context. Fulham had been in solid form, sitting in seventh place before the match, making this victory all the more significant. But Wolves were without two key defensive players, Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson, both sidelined due to fitness concerns. Despite their absence, Wolves put together a solid defensive performance, with Gary O’Neil opting for Mario Lemina and Toti Gomes to partner at the back, and Alfie Pond stepping up as a substitute.
However, there was one player who may have felt overlooked in O’Neil’s lineup – Matt Doherty. The experienced right-back, who many believed would feature in this crucial match, found himself on the bench once again. Given the tactical shake-up and the impact of the result, it’s understandable if Doherty is now questioning his role under O’Neil moving forward. Could this decision signal doubts about his future at Molineux? Time will tell, but this surprising tactical shift could have significant implications for the player’s standing in the team.
“Matt Doherty’s Snub Against Fulham Could Have Stung – Was This the Moment He Realized His Wolves Future is in Doubt?”
Matt Doherty’s absence from the starting lineup in Wolves’ dominant 4-1 win over Fulham on Saturday will have undoubtedly stung the experienced right-back. With a chance to shine in a crucial match against a top-seven opponent, Doherty was instead relegated to the bench once again by manager Gary O’Neil.
This decision was particularly surprising given the context. Wolves were missing two key defenders in Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson, and many expected Doherty to step in as a reliable option in the backline. Instead, O’Neil opted for Mario Lemina and Toti Gomes in the center, with Doherty left out of the starting XI entirely.
While the team’s impressive performance, including two goals and an assist from Matheus Cunha, will have been a positive outcome, Doherty will likely be left questioning his role moving forward. With competition intensifying for places in the starting lineup, this snub could signal deeper concerns about his future at Molineux. For a player of Doherty’s caliber, the sting of being overlooked in such a big match could be hard to shake off.
“Matt Doherty Overlooked Again by Wolves Manager Despite Injury Concerns – Is His Future at Molineux Now in Doubt?”
Matt Doherty must have felt a wave of frustration and confusion as he sat on the bench for Wolves’ 4-1 victory over Fulham. With both Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson doubtful or sidelined due to injury, many expected the experienced Republic of Ireland international to seize the opportunity and start in a crucial match.
However, despite the absences, Gary O’Neil decided once again to overlook Doherty, opting for a defensive pairing of Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina instead. The decision to stick with a back four and leave Doherty on the sidelines, especially with the injuries in the squad, raises serious questions about the player’s standing within the team.
For Doherty, this snub must have been particularly stinging, as he could have reasonably expected a chance to prove himself. With each passing match, the doubts surrounding his future at Molineux grow. Could this be a sign that his time at the club is coming to an end? After yet another overlooked opportunity, Doherty may have to seriously consider his next steps as he continues to fight for a role in the Wolves squad.
“Gary O’Neil’s Tactical Decision to Keep Doherty on the Bench Raises Questions About His Wolves Future”
With both Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson unavailable for Wolves’ 4-1 win over Fulham, many believed this was the perfect opportunity for Matt Doherty to make his mark. The potential was there for Gary O’Neil to switch to a back three, a formation that could have seen Doherty slot in as part of the right-center-back trio, with Nelson Semedo providing width as the right wing-back.
Instead, O’Neil opted for a back four, keeping faith in Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina at center-back, and leaving Doherty on the bench once again. Given the injury concerns in the squad and the flexibility that a back three would have offered, this decision is likely to have stung the experienced Republic of Ireland international.
With this continued snub, Doherty’s future at Wolves now appears more uncertain than ever. Despite the tactical opportunities available to him, O’Neil chose to overlook the 32-year-old, which raises serious questions about his role within the team moving forward.
“Matt Doherty’s Bench Role Against Fulham Could Signal the End of His Wolves Career”
Matt Doherty’s absence from the starting lineup in Wolves’ 4-1 victory over Fulham was a significant moment that could point to deeper issues with his future at Molineux. With defensive stalwarts Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson both sidelined, many would have expected Doherty to step in, especially with the potential to play in a back three. Instead, Gary O’Neil opted for a back four, pairing Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina in central defense.
Doherty was brought on in the dying minutes of the game, but not as a defender—he replaced Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, playing as a winger. This late cameo, in a completely different position, suggests that O’Neil is not currently seeing Doherty as a first-choice option in defense.
Given the absence of two key defenders, Doherty would surely have hoped to play from the start at Craven Cottage. The fact that he didn’t, and was instead used in a more peripheral role, could be a telling indication that his future at Wolves is now uncertain. This decision could mark a crossroads for the Republic of Ireland international, with the possibility that he may need to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
“Matt Doherty’s Wolves Career in Jeopardy After Continued Lack of Game Time”
Matt Doherty’s future at Wolves is increasingly uncertain following his severe lack of game time under manager Gary O’Neil. Despite the team’s recent wins over Fulham and Southampton, Doherty has barely featured, playing just a handful of minutes across both matches. His absence from the starting XI in any of the six Premier League games prior to those victories speaks volumes about his current standing within the squad.
It is becoming clear that O’Neil doesn’t fully trust the Republic of Ireland international. In a recent match against Fulham, the Wolves manager opted for a defensive pairing of Mario Lemina and Toti Gomes at the back, rather than include Doherty in a back three, even with the team’s defensive injuries. This decision is particularly telling, given that Doherty, a £50,000-a-week player, would have been an obvious choice to provide depth in such a setup.
Doherty’s last start in the Premier League came in the game against Newcastle United, a match in which he struggled defensively, notably allowing Harvey Barnes to score. After that performance, O’Neil issued a subtle warning to the 32-year-old, and since then, Doherty has found himself out of the starting lineup. With such limited opportunities, it seems increasingly likely that Doherty’s time at Wolves is coming to an end, unless his situation changes drastically in the near future.
“Matt Doherty’s Wolves Future in Serious Doubt After Struggling for Game Time This Season”
Matt Doherty’s Wolves career is becoming increasingly uncertain, with the Irish full-back managing just 330 minutes of playing time across all competitions this season. His limited involvement puts him in the company of fringe players like Pablo Sarabia, Rodrigo Gomes, Goncalo Guedes, and Boubacar Traore—individuals who have seen even less action than Doherty.
Last season, the 32-year-old openly expressed his frustration with his reduced game time at Wolves, and despite hopes for a greater role this term, he remains firmly on the periphery. This continued lack of minutes is likely to lead Doherty to reconsider his future at the club.
Although Doherty is contracted with Wolves until 2026, the way things are unfolding under Gary O’Neil, it seems doubtful he will see out the remainder of his deal unless there’s a significant change in his situation. With the full-back’s opportunities dwindling, he may soon be forced to explore new possibilities if he wishes to get his career back on track.