Matt Doherty has faced calls to retire by the Republic of Ireland fanbase after a poor display in the 2-0 loss to England. 12 of Wolves’ major players are currently on international duty. For many, they have enjoyed a fruitful first game back for their nation.
Nelson Semedo was widely praised for his performance against Croatia. New signing Andre was also brilliant in Brazil’s victory over Ecuador.
However, Doherty had a far less encouraging display in the defeat to England which left supporters seething.
Doherty had little luck during the game. The full-back struggled against England’s attackers and failed to push the hosts further up the field.
As a result, he was hooked off the pitch just before the hour mark with fans furious with his performance.
Many supporters took to X, formerly Twitter, to vent their frustrations at the Wolves man, claiming that he was ‘woeful’ against the Three Lions.
Criticism From Fans
Doherty’s performance sparked a wave of criticism from Irish fans on social media. Some fans pointed out his lack of impact and questioned his ability to contribute effectively for the national team. Many supporters took to X, formerly Twitter, to vent their frustrations at the Wolves man, claiming that he was ‘woeful’ against the Three Lions.
Calls for Doherty's Retirement
Several fans went a step further, calling for Doherty’s immediate retirement from international football. They believed his performance against England was a sign that he had reached the end of his time with the national team and that it was time for younger players to take over.
Many Republic of Ireland supporters also claimed that the match should be Doherty’s last game for the nation, with suggestions that he should just retire.
Some fans even suggested that Doherty should have retired years ago.
Doherty's Performance Analyzed
Doherty certainly wasn’t great against England. According to WhoScored, the defender only had a 56% passing completion and he didn’t make a single tackle.
However, it was always going to be a tough ask for the Wolves man. Up against the Euro 2024 finalists and some of the best attackers in the world, he was always fighting an uphill battle.
Looking Ahead
Republic of Ireland’s next game against Greece would give a more telling look at Doherty’s form for his nation. Hopefully, he will perform against the Mediterranean side and return to Wolves with confidence.
Despite the criticism he received, Doherty remains a key player for Wolves and has a crucial role to play in their upcoming season. The club will be hoping that he can regain his form and confidence soon. It is important to remember that one bad performance does not define a player's career. Doherty has a long and successful history with Wolves and the national team, and he will be hoping to bounce back from this setback.
It remains to be seen whether Doherty will be able to silence his critics and regain his place in the hearts of the Republic of Ireland supporters. Only time will tell if he can bounce back from this setback and continue to contribute to the national team.
