“He gives everything for us so we have to give everything for him.”
Matt Doherty highlighted the improvements, that can be seen in all departments, since Antonio Conte’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur in November.
Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind North London rivals Arsenal with an extra game played, as they chase Champions League football for next season.
Matt Doherty on refinding his form for Spurs.
Doherty said he has rekindled his Wolves form for the Lilywhites. The familiarity of playing at right wing-back has been a major help for the Dubliner to establish himself in the Spurs starting 11.
Conte’s perseverance in giving the 30-year-old a run of games in the team has given Doherty the confidence to regain the form that earned him a £15m move to London in 2020.
The Republic of Ireland international highlighted the Leeds United match in February as the turning point, Doherty’s goal and assist helped establish himself at wing-back in the Spurs defence.
“I’ve just managed to hit the form that I was in at Wolves. I feel really good on the pitch and things are going really well. That has just come with game-time, the manager trusting in you, and obviously, the formation helps a lot, Doherty on playing under Conte.
“It’s just happening now where I feel I’ve gained his trust. Even when we lost to United, lost to Middlesbrough, I wasn’t taken out. I’m able to repay him and help the team set up goals and win games.
“There were times that I played for him and was in and out and then against Leeds (when he scored the opener and set up another in a 4-0 win) I kind of nailed it down and have been in ever since.”
Doherty on the ‘improvements’ Antonio Conte has made.
Doherty, who has four assists in Premier League since Conte’s arrival, emphasised the improvements he’s seen since his appointment.
The former Wolves player focused on the improvement that’ll be seen if the Italian had a full pre-season with the squad, Doherty is excited by that prospect.
Conte has curtailed the dietary habits of the Spurs squad. The defender was happy with that adjustment, as the players want to “give everything for him.”
“More professional, more focused on what you’re putting into your body, more focused on recovery. Tactically more aware,” added Doherty.
“So many things that he’s made all of us have little improvements on already and he’s not had a full season yet. He’s not even had a pre-season. So you can imagine with a full pre-season what kind of shape and what kind of state of mind we might be in. That is exciting.
“At home, you don’t dip into that sweet drawer that everyone has in the house. You want to be switched on, you don’t want to give him any excuses, and you want to be ready for him because he gives everything for us so we have to give everything for him.”
Related links.
- Gary Neville gives a damning verdict on ‘really bad’ Man United.
- Paul Merson says Bruno Fernandes new contract sums up Man United.
- Roy Keane on the key advantage the next Man United manager will have.
