Shropshire Star

Matt Doherty believes Wolves boss Nuno has perfect managerial blend

Matt Doherty says Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has the perfect blend of tactical nous and man-management skills.

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Nuno was linked to the vacant Arsenal hot-seat but with Mikel Arteta taking the role those rumours will finally be put to bed.

And Doherty, who was already at Wolves when Nuno arrived in 2017, revealed the secret to his success at Molineux.

He said: “I think it is both (man management and tactics).

“Tactically we leave meetings before games thinking ‘there is no way we cannot win this game’.

“That is what he does. You leave the meeting and think ‘I know how to beat them.We know they cannot get through us’.

“So tactically I think he is on another level. He is a world class manager and his man management skills are also excellent.

“I think you need to have both to be a top manager. He has that.

“You can be friends with him at times, but he also knows how to grill you.

“We have all been on the end of one of them (a grilling). But then the next day he will come in, give you a hug and talk to you. He has the perfect blend.”

One tactical element Nuno has made this term is shifting from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3.

That formation has seen right-back Doherty and left full-back Jonny Castro Otto push higher up the pitch into wing-back roles.

And Doherty says that has given him a licence to thrill in the final third as he bids to add to his four goal tally at Norwich.

He said: “(Playing as a wing-back and full-back is) totally different.

“As a wing-back I can play the ball out wide to (right forward) Adama Traore or I’m running straight into the box.

“At times I’m either a full-back or a striker, at times that is how high I can be.It gives me and Jonny the freedom to run inside, run out wide if we want.Just to stay as high up the pitch as possible.

“We still have a duty to defend the back post and our number one (priority) is to still defend.

“But going forward, the licence is just to go and express yourself and make a difference.

“Which fortunately nobody has been able to work out the formation were they can prevent us fully yet.”

Traore netted in Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

And Doherty admitted he would not want to defend his wide partner.

He said: “I don’t go anywhere near him (in training) fortunately for us we always have to stay in our position so he is always in front of me.

“I don’t envy Jonny and Ruben Vinagre having to defend him!

“In training it is the same thing, sometimes the only way to stop him is to foul him but he takes it quite well. Against Tottenham the other day he was getting hacked down on numerous occasions.

“He does not moan about it, he just gets up and goes again.

“I think he almost sees it as a compliment that that is the only way to stop him.

“Other than that he is pretty unstoppable!”