Doherty delighted with Traore link-up

Matt Doherty says he is enjoying the burgeoning partnership he and Adama Traore are forming down Wolves’ right side. The Irishman’s injury allowed Traore to fill his right wing-back berth during pre-season and the Spaniard excelled in the role.
Despite his undoubted talent, the 23-year-old’s lack of end product led to regular criticism when he played in attack but he seemed to thrive in the extra space provided playing a more withdrawn role.
With Doherty struggling to find fitness, Traore’s form provided Nuno Espirito Santo with a solid and reliable option. So much so, the Portuguese has occasionally adapted his preferred 3-5-2 shape, reverting to his previous 3-4-3 to accommodate both down the right.
The pair’s latest link-up came on Saturday when Doherty came on for Ruben Neves at half-time in the 1-1 draw with Southampton, and they again looked bright together.
With the fixtures coming thick and fast this season, Nuno is again likely to use both in Thursday’s Europa League trip to Slovan Bratislava or Sunday’s Premier League match away at Newcastle.
After having the freedom of the right side of the field to himself last term, it would be easy for Doherty to be a touch perturbed by sharing his space.
This is clearly not the case, though, and like his team-mate, the 27-year-old says he has been encouraged by how they complement each other down the flank. “When I came on, I was told to play a bit more inside and let Adama stay out wide,” he told the club’s website. “We obviously work on those kinds of things on the training ground all the time, and I managed to get in behind a few times, with one of those leading to the goal. “When I play alongside Adama, we’re told to switch all the time – to never be in the same position. Our movement is quite good, and at times today (Saturday) their defence didn’t know what to do.”