Why Tommy Doyle might be the most unfortunate player at Wolves right now
Wolves are out of the Carabao Cup after losing 3-2 to Brighton, and some have been talking about Tommy Doyle since last night’s game.
Wolves could not bounce back from the defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend.
Gary O’Neil made a host of changes and Wolves turned in a horrible first-half performance, conceding two goals from the edge of the box to Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra.
Goncalo Guedes, who impressed his manager with his display, pulled one back just before half-time though to keep Wolves in it.
Wanderers then squandered a few really good chances, before Brighton got a third through Ferdi Kadioglu.
Tommy Doyle popped up at the end to score a consolation for Wolves, and it was a goal his performance deserved.
Tommy Doyle deserves more minutes for Wolves, but he’s in a tricky spot
Doyle impressed when called upon for Wolves last season and it was obvious that the club were quickly going to trigger their option to buy clause that was agreed with Manchester City for around £4.3 million.
That was a very small price to pay for someone of his quality and potential.
This was Doyle’s second start of the season, his first coming in the previous round of the Carabao Cup against Burnley.
In the Premier League though, Doyle has made just three substitute appearances so far, for a total of 44 minutes.
44 minutes for a player as good as Doyle is a concern.
Against Brighton, a lot of Wolves players struggled but Doyle was arguably the standout. Sporting the captain’s armband, he actually took some responsibility, worked hard and used the ball nicely as he always does. He also took his goal extremely well.
As per Sofascore data, Doyle was very industrious, contesting 14 duels which was the most of any Wolves player and second only to Adingra (16) out of players from both teams. Doyle won the most though with nine.
Doyle has been behind Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes in the pecking order at Wolves since he came to the club.
Those two have been brilliant under O’Neil, who has played them both at every opportunity near enough. Occasionally, Doyle has joined them to make up a midfield three.
But now the club have gone out and signed Andre.
As exciting as this transfer was, and as good as he looked on his debut against Newcastle United, it is a further blow for Doyle.
Andre looks a similar player to Doyle – a player branded ‘outstanding’ by former Wolves winger Mark Kennedy – in that he prefers to play deeper in midfield and has a great passing range.
Doyle now has three quality players to compete with and this surely makes him the most unfortunate player in Wolves’ squad right now, given how good he also is.
The position he finds himself in really is a shame, but we will see if O’Neil can find a way to get him more minutes.
