Latest news with #MattDoherty
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Nelson Semedo is still a free agent – what will his Wolves legacy be?
Nelson Semedo remains a free agent. As long as that remains the case, there is a theoretical chance he could re-sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers. But no one at the club expects the 31-year-old to return. Instead, Wolves have been preparing for life without the man who ended last season as their influential captain. Advertisement Wolves, who offered Semedo a four-year contract towards the end of last season, have made no firm comment on the right-back's future out of respect for his service since joining in 2020. They expect, though, that in the coming weeks, Semedo will announce that he has signed a contract elsewhere. In the meantime, Wolves are looking hard for replacements. That means the time is fast approaching to consider Semedo's legacy at Molineux. It is a complicated task and it is instructive to look back two years to the time when his initial three-year contract expired. In the summer of 2023, there was a genuine debate at Wolves about whether to activate an option to keep Semedo for a further two years. In the end, the club decided to trigger the clause but the fact they considered allowing him to leave tells the story of his early time in the Premier League. There was pressure from day one, due to the fee — an initial £27.5million ($37m) from Barcelona — and the fact that he was bought to replace Matt Doherty, who had been a popular and key player in Wolves' successes under Nuno Espirito Santo. To begin with, Wolves fans were less than convinced that the significant net outlay — they recouped around half of Semedo's transfer fee by selling Doherty to Tottenham Hotspur — had brought them an upgrade. As Nuno attempted to transition from his successful 3-4-3 system to play a four-man defence, Semedo struggled to handle the defensive demands of playing at right-back in the Premier League. When Wolves reverted to playing him as a wing-back outside a three-man defence, it gave Semedo more scope to use his athleticism and fitness, but recurring defensive errors and a lack of precision in attacking areas meant his effectiveness was limited. His weakest season was his third, which coincided with the dismal start to the campaign under Bruno Lage, followed by a brief spell under Julen Lopetegui. Advertisement So when decision time arrived at the end of that campaign, it was not a straightforward call. On one hand, Semedo still had a good reputation around Europe and triggering the option in his contract protected his resale value. On the other hand, the Portugal international was one of the club's highest earners. The decision to keep him was rewarded with his best two campaigns in Wolves colours, under Gary O'Neil and then Vitor Pereira. Semedo showed his experience, making fewer defensive lapses and posing a greater threat in attack. The biggest impact, however, came out of fans' view. As Pereira arrived with the task of rebuilding a crumbling team, with Matheus Cunha's attitude being increasingly questioned and former captain Mario Lemina making clear his desire to leave, Semedo became the mortar that helped hold it together. One of O'Neil's last significant acts at Wolves before being sacked in December 2024 was to appoint Semedo as captain. When Pereira took over, Semedo kept the armband and was credited with galvanising a dressing room that could easily have been shattered following a poor run of results. His performances remained solid if unspectacular, and his influence on the team grew each week. In his five years at Wolves, Semedo was known as solid, ultra-professional and low-maintenance. In his final five months, he was regarded as almost inspirational. Still, it now feels like an official parting of the ways is just a matter of time. In the unlikely event that Semedo's move away from Wolves falls through and he returns to Molineux asking to sign the contract that has been on the table for months, the club would need to consider the optics of allowing a player to re-sign essentially because he cannot do better elsewhere. There is no doubt that Semedo enjoyed his time at Wolves and left at the end of last season on excellent terms but the club believe he had made up his mind that his future lies elsewhere. Advertisement To present a change of heart as anything other than a backup plan from Semedo would be a challenge — but it is not a quandary Wolves expect to be presented with. Despite his long influence, he is unlikely to enter the hall of fame from Wolves' Fosun era, but he will be remembered as a player who, from difficult beginnings, built an excellent reputation with fans and colleagues alike.
Irish Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ireland 1 Senegal 1: How Heimir Hallgrímsson's side rated at the Aviva Stadium
Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford) A quiet night until the 52nd minute when he made a brilliant tip-of-the-fingers save from Krépin Diatta's header. Could do nothing about Senegal's equaliser. Brentford have themselves a bargain. Rating: 8 Matt Doherty (Wolves) This fella's international career looked done and dusted not so long ago, but after a good season with Wolves, he's continued his solid form for Ireland. Replaced by Jake O'Brien on 67 minutes. Rating: 7 Nathan Collins (Brentford) Helped set up Kasey McAteer's opening goal and was rarely troubled by a Senegal attack that was on the decidedly lacklustre side ... until they equalised. Rating: 7 Dara O'Shea (Ipswich) As with Collins, his central defensive partner, he didn't have a whole lot to do at the back, but was left furiously frustrated by that 82nd-minute leveller. Rating: 7 READ MORE Robbie Brady (Preston) No more than his team-mates, the newly crowned senior men's international player of the year would have expected a busier night. Instead, he was able to push forward at will. Rating: 7 Ryan Manning (Southampton) Came close enough to making it 2-0 after Will Smallbone's initial shot was saved early in the second half, and was an attacking threat on the flanks in the first half. Replaced by Killian Phillips on 67 minutes. Rating: 7 Jason Knight (Bristol City) 'Industrious', as we know, is his middle name, but despite an impressive showing from the team, he was never really able to put his mark on the game. Rating: 6 Will Smallbone (Southampton) Some loose passing and gave up possession too cheaply at times but, as ever, no end of work-rate. Brought out a fine save from Yehvann Diouf early in the second half. Rating: 6 Jack Taylor (Ipswich) Largely anonymous in his first start for Ireland, couldn't get in to the game at all. Replaced by Evan Ferguson on 57 minutes. Rating: 5 Adam Idah (Celtic) Got the nod ahead of Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott in the central attacking role, but hold-up play not the best, nor was his service. Ineffective. Rating: 5 Kasey McAteer (Leicester City) Marked his first start for Ireland with a goal on 21 minutes, nimble feet helping him turn home the rebound from the bar after Yehvann Diouf's brilliant initial save. A lively and impressive showing from the Leicester man. Rating: 8 Substitutes Evan Ferguson (Brighton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Killian Phillips (St Mirren), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Andrew Moran (Brighton). Rating: 6 Manager : Heimir Hallgrímsson. Selected a surprisingly experimental-ish line-up when he was expected to go for a more tried and trusted eleven in the build-up to September's World Cup qualifiers. Nearly paid off, though. Rating: 7
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Matt Doherty breaks silence on relationship with Ireland boss after being left out of squad
Republic of Ireland star Matt Doherty has opened up about his relationship with manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, insisting it's on solid ground despite previous tensions. The Wolverhampton Wanderers defender didn't hide his frustration after being left out of the squad last October, especially when centre-back Andrew Omobamidele was chosen to play right-back in the September clash with Greece. But having been brought back into the fold for the Nations League games in November and now selected for the crucial play-off against Bulgaria, Doherty seems to have put any issues behind him. READ MORE: Wolves start on broken hand, goal relief and 'going in the right direction' READ MORE: Vitor Pereira on Matheus Cunha ban, Wolves fans, and feeling proud In a press conference before Thursday's first leg in Plovdiv, Doherty said: "I stand by the comments I made at the time. It was a long time ago and a lot has kind of passed since then. "At the moment we have a good relationship and everything seems to be fine. We haven't spoken too much. We cleared things up I think the last time I was in camp, so everything seems fine now." Doherty also touched on dealing with criticism: "When it comes to criticism, I don't care too much about the criticism. "I did an interview a few weeks ago where I said I would rather take the criticism over some of the younger players. I know I'm able to handle the criticism, so that's fine." He concluded by reflecting on his desire to always be part of the national team: "You want to be in every squad as a player, it's natural to think that. Obviously I was disappointed at the time, which I said, but I have managed to work my way back in." Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea has heaped praise on Matt Doherty, who has been a constant in the squad since Vitor Pereira's takeover at Wolves. O'Shea remarked: "It's straightforward, once Matt is playing and playing well, it's the key," and pointed out, "He'll know that himself – he's a totally different animal when he's playing football." He further noted Doherty's importance to the team, saying, "You can see that now, when playing for Wolves. When we have that Matt, he's always going to be in this squad – simple as that." O'Shea's considerations are part of Ireland's strategy to remain in League B of the Nations League, fending off Bulgaria, who are eager to claim their spot. As preparations continue, the second leg of the play-off is set for Dublin this coming Sunday. Injury updates have come through as well, with Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone and Cardiff's Callum O'Dowda pulling out from the Irish squad. To fill the gaps, Stoke midfielder Andrew Moran and Southampton left-back Ryan Manning have been summoned.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bournemouth 1-1 Wolves (5-4 on pens): Cherries progress after VAR and spot-kick drama
Bournemouth are through to the last eight of the FA Cup for only the third time in their history - but only by the skin of their teeth after a dramatic afternoon at Vitality Huijsen was first to miss his spot-kick in a tense penalty shootout, but Matt Doherty and Boubacar Traore failed to hit the target before Luis Sinisterra coolly converted to book the Cherries' place in the home fans may have feared Bournemouth's failure to turn their dominance into further goals would come back to haunt them after Sam Johnstone pulled off fantastic saves to deny Sinisterra and Lewis Cook in extra Cherries also had goals from Milos Kerkez and Alex Scott ruled out - the former after an eight-minute video assistant referee (VAR) review - after Evanilson's first goal since December had put them ahead in the first Cunha's sensational strike restored parity in the second half and Wolves held on in extra time to force the shootout, but Andoni Iraola's side - who were beaten at home by Vitor Pereira's team in the Premier League last weekend - had the last failed to reach the semi-finals in both 1957 and 2021, Bournemouth will now be aiming to go one step further and progress to the last four of the competition for the first time.
USA Today
30-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Duke basketball superstar rips UNC for lack of effort and communication
If you remember watching North Carolina Tar Heels basketball during the disappointing Matt Doherty era, you likely remember Duke superstar Jay Williams. Now an ESPN analyst who appears on numerous college basketball broadcasts and shows, Williams enjoyed quite the college career. Williams helped bring the Blue Devils their 2001 NCAA Championship, plus he earned National Player of the Year honors that same season. UNC (13-9, 6-4 ACC) is preparing to face first-place Duke (18-2, 10-0) on Saturday, February 1, with Williams' Blue Devils holding the massive advantage. North Carolina is a shell of the dominant program it once was, while Duke looks like a front-runner to cut down the nets in March. In the Tar Heels' latest debacle, a 73-65 loss at Pitt on Tuesday, January 28, Williams called out their apparent effort and lack of communication. 'I can tell you what you want to go through North Carolina's players' minds right now – they are all fragmented on the court,' Williams said during UNC-Pitt. 'Look at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is huddling in the middle of the court. It already looks as if – with 24.9 seconds left to go, North Carolina being down only four points – that the game feels over. None of them have huddled. None of them have talked to each other. You're never out of it until you're out of it. But you need to have communication about what you're doing next and about what you're going to run offensively, where you need to be defensively and there's no quit in your voice.' UNC's greatest veteran presence is reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, but the team is largely otherwise a young bunch. There isn't another senior starter on North Carolina, which relies heavily on its guard play and struggles without Jalen Washington at center. The Tar Heels will miss their second NCAA Tournament in three seasons under head coach Hubert Davis, barring a 2024 NC State-esque run. Do there need to be changes at UNC? Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
