Matt Doherty played a key role as Wolves snatched a 1-0 win at Leeds United on Easter Monday.
Leeds United may be able to call upon the services of homegrown left-back Charlie Taylor for just three more games.
The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and, after seemingly piquing the interest of almost half the Premier League, he appears certain to depart Elland Road regardless of whether or not Garry Monk’s side succeed in the play-offs.
However, if The Whites were wondering just how on earth they could replace yet another talented youngster reared in the Thorpe Arch academy, Monday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers may have made a cartoon lightbulb appear above Monk’s head.
While Wolves’ matchwinner Nouha Dicko may have grabbed the headlines after scoring the goal that knocked Leeds out of the top six for the first time in five months, left-back Matt Doherty deserves his fair share of the plaudits.
The Irishman was perhaps unfortunate to be overlooked in favour of former Wolves youngster and Fulham left-back Scott Malone in the Championship Team of the Year. Yet, while Doherty has been lauded for his attacking threat this season, scoring and creating four apiece, it was his defensive durability that shone through at Elland Road.
Making two tackles, two interceptions and a game-high ten clearances, Doherty was a major reason why Wolves were able to restrict Leeds to just two shots on target in front of their disappointed home supporters.
Leeds would certainly face a challenge if they wanted to convince Wolves to sell one of their key men but, with Monk a keen admirer of versatility, the addition of a player equally confident at either end, and capable of filling in at right-back, would certainly go down well.
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