MX23RW : Monday, March 25 22:54:44
Apr 7, 2019 at 4pm UK at ​Vicarage Road
Watford
vs.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers

Matt Doherty backs Wolverhampton Wanderers for FA Cup glory

Matt Doherty backs Wolves for FA Cup glory
© Reuters
Wanderers beat Manchester United in the quarter-finals and now face Watford.

Matt Doherty is targeting FA Cup glory as he aims to turn a good season into a great one on both the domestic and international fronts.

The Republic of Ireland wing-back was a key member of the Wolves side which dumped Manchester United out of this year's competition at the quarter-final stage last weekend.

And as he prepares for Saturday's opening Euro 2020 qualifier in Gibraltar, he has already set his sights on a big day at Wembley.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men face Watford in the semi-finals with either Manchester City or Ireland team-mate Shane Duffy's Brighton awaiting the winners, and Doherty sees no reason why they should not lift the trophy to cap a remarkable campaign.

Asked if Wolves can win the cup, Doherty replied: "Yes, of course. I know Manchester City are still in there, but we have managed to avoid them. I know they'll be favourites, but we have drawn with them this season.

"I know they beat us at the Etihad, but in the semi-final, it's a 50-50, one-off, anything is possible and we have got a good team, so yes, we're capable of doing it."

Wolves' 2-1 victory over United which booked the showdown with the Hornets wrote a new chapter in the story of a season which has seen the Premier League newcomers take to life in the top flight as if to the manner born.

Matt Doherty has played a key role in Wolves' recent success
Matt Doherty has played a key role in Wolves' recent success (Nick Potts/PA)

Doherty said: "Our record against the top-six teams is pretty good and we were at home at Molineux, so we actually expected to win the game and fortunately we did win the game.

"Now we have got a big semi-final to look forward to and we'll expect to win that too."

Doherty's club form will do him little harm on the international stage too, although it is perhaps a change of manager which may finally open the door for him.

The 27-year-old was a frustrated by-stander for much of his time in the squad under previous boss Martin O'Neill.

But the arrival of Mick McCarthy – the pair worked together during the Yorkshireman's time in charge at Molineux and Doherty described him as "a very good man-manager" – is likely to be a positive for him.

Asked if he felt he should have started more games under O'Neill, of whom he was openly critical following the Derryman's departure in November last year, he said: "I would like to think so personally, but I don't pick the team and it didn't work out for whatever reason. Hopefully, that will be different.

"[I've] no idea why I didn't play more. I just didn't play. It's not the end of the world. You've got to respect the 11 that go out."

View this post on Instagram

Great to be back with the lads @faireland

A post shared by Matt Doherty (@mattdoherty20) on

Doherty will hope to get the nod on the artificial pitch at Gibraltar's Victoria Stadium with the Republic desperate to erase the memories of their disappointing Nations League campaign by taking maximum points from that game and the visit of Georgia to Dublin three days later.

He said: "We need to get off to a good start for us and our manager. We need to beat Gibraltar on Saturday – if you slip up there, that wouldn't be good – then the home game against Georgia, which will be a bit more difficult as they are quite technically good and better than people might think.

"The first two games could make all the difference."


Click here for more stories about Matt Doherty

Click here for more stories about Wolverhampton Wanderers

Share this article now:
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring the winner against Swansea City on March 16, 2019
Read Next:
FA Cup semi-final fixture dates confirmed
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool31237170185276
2Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea30176750331757
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham31126134146-542
10Leicester CityLeicester31125144043-341
11Everton31117134342140
12Bournemouth31115154356-1338
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3198143140-935
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3186173559-2430
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3145222970-4117
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3135231857-3914

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account