Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Tommy Doyle made a strong impression during their recent 2-1 victory against AFC Bournemouth. Despite his crucial role in that win, he may not be in the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Newcastle United at Molineux on Saturday. Neil Moxley, Chief Sports writer for the Sunday People, suggests an alternative scenario for the team.
Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil faces a challenging decision regarding his lineup for their first home game in two weeks. Despite expectations of a relegation battle due to a turbulent pre-season with a change in management, the team has had a solid start to the season, providing a foundation for improvement in the coming months.
Tommy Doyle’s arrival at Wolves was one of the few signings they could make before the summer transfer window closed. The 22-year-old joined on a season-long loan with an option to purchase for just over £4 million next summer. His signing might have sweetened the deal as Wolves eventually agreed to sell Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes for £53 million.
According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Doyle had the potential to revitalize the squad, although he hasn’t started a Premier League match for O’Neil’s team yet, struggling to break into the midfield dominated by Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina. He made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 loss to Liverpool and got his first start in the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Ipswich Town. Despite the unfavorable result, Doyle impressed with his composure and ability to play precise passes.
Doyle’s standout moment came when he replaced Joao Gomes in the 2-1 victory against Bournemouth, helping turn the game around. However, Neil Moxley believes that, although Doyle’s performance was noteworthy, he is unlikely to start against Newcastle. This is because Mario Lemina, who was suspended last week, is available and could return to the starting lineup.
Moxley stated, “It will be one of the big takeaways from the match at the Vitality Stadium that Doyle performed well with an extended opportunity. However, facing in-form Newcastle, it is unlikely that O’Neil will entrust Doyle with a full 90 minutes, especially since Lemina has been a consistent presence in Premier League games until last weekend. Doyle has certainly boosted his prospects, but I don’t expect him to start on Saturday, particularly given Newcastle’s current form.”
Wolves will have the advantage of two players returning from suspension for their match against Newcastle, including Lemina. They will also have right-back Nelson Semedo available. Additionally, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and left-back Hugo Bueno are expected to return soon, bolstering the team as they head into the winter months.
Looking ahead, Wolves are set to face Sheffield United on November 4th, followed by a clash with Tottenham Hotspur on November 11th before the third international break. They will return to action with a match against Fulham on November 27th.
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