Matt Doherty’s no stranger to Pat Fenlon second time around

By ALAN PATTULLO
Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 05:18

PAT Fenlon’s pre-match talk ahead of last weekend’s game with Kilmarnock was unusual since it went along the lines of: Matt, this is James. James, this is Tom. Tom, remember this is Roy.

Matt Doherty, one of four new signings brought in by Hibernian on transfer deadline day, yesterday revealed that he still wasn’t sure who was who when he lined up against the Ayrshire side. Such unfamiliarity with each other did not do Hibs too much harm, however. A 1-0 win meant optimism is once again being felt in the east end of Edinburgh.

There was not too much evidence to suggest a win could be achieved following the first training session together last Thursday, as players bumped into each other and generally performed like the strangers they were. “It wasn’t the best in terms of quality,” said Doherty, who, like team-mate Leigh Griffiths, is another loan recruit from Wolverhampton Wanderers. “Everybody was running around everywhere and we were all over the place. But it didn’t seem to make a difference in the game. Everything seemed to connect in the game.

“I don’t know, I think the first few days are hard and then it gets easier because everyone is on the same path and everyone blends in and becomes more friendly.

“To be honest I didn’t know some of the boys’ names going into the game against Kilmarnock – even some of the boys who were already here.”

Even now, he is not 100 per cent sure of who is who.

“If someone was to walk out the door right now I might have to guess, I wouldn’t be able to know exactly who it was,” he said. “The good thing is that you feel more comfortable because a lot of new players have come in, you’re not the only one.”

Doherty’s path to Hibs is unusual in that he was once unsure whether the one person he does know at the club rated him or not. Doherty was at Bohemians under Fenlon yet did not play a single competitive game.

Asked what he sees in the player now compared to two years ago, Fenlon replied: “Four inches”. The full-back has filled outwards and grown upwards, something which helped him seal a move to the English Premier League. He impressed manager Mick McCarthy in a pre-season friendly even though Fenlon had again restricted his action, having replaced him after 55 minutes.

“I was at Bohs for the best part of a year but I just didn’t get picked, basically,” reflected Doherty. “I was playing for the reserves and the under 19s but Pat never played me.

“He must have liked me to have wanted me to come up here, but I never played a first-team game under him there. I was surprised when Wolves asked me to go on trial with them because I didn’t think I played that well against them.

“That’s when Pat started talking to me! He wanted me to go because it was a great opportunity and he was quite helpful with the whole situation.” Doherty’s agent was not so keen on the move north to Easter Road and Wolves themselves remained undecided for weeks after Fenlon made it known he was interested in working with the player again. The English club knew that once he signed his loan deal he could not be recalled again, even in the event of an injury crisis. You wonder whether Doherty himself had some doubts, since he watched Griffiths make the same journey to Easter Road and then fall very quickly out of favour with McCarthy. Now the combustible striker looks set to part company with Wolves at the end of his current loan deal with Hibs.

“Leigh is a different character to me,” said Doherty. “The stuff he does on the pitch I wouldn’t really do. That stuff doesn’t help you at all. It’s more performances that help you, not that kind of showing off. So I didn’t think about that.”

Doherty has every intention of making it at Wolves although he has been pleasantly surprised by the standard of both the facilities at Hibs, and also the football. But there is little doubt the Premier League in England is where he wants to be.

He made his debut there against Liverpool earlier this season and has also featured in four cup games during the current campaign, including one against Manchester City. “The first time I played in the Premier League I thought: ‘I want to do this every week’,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it, it felt great. I have played in cup games which are not the same but it’s still first-team action. I played against Manchester City and that makes you want to play every week.”

He is already proving his worth to Hibs and looks set to swap full-back for centre-half in today’s home league clash against Aberdeen.

The Easter Road side have been forced to re-shuffle their pack due to suspension, which means last week’s central defensive pairing of James McPake and Paul Hanlon will sit out.

Comments

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16

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:48 PM

@ Hen Broon. What's the latest from East End Park??? Seeing as you are so keen on this game.

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15

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:23 PM

For goodness sake Hen Broon grow up & stop killing every thread with your immature nonsense. You are driving all the inteligent Hibs & Hearts posters away.

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14

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:23 PM

#13 Your point being on a Hibs story?

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13

Hen Broon

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:18 PM

pars all over rangers 1-0...hit the post....denied a pen

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12

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 12:11 PM

#10 Baron. To think of the faith we put into Calderwood is spine chilling. I do however have trust in Pat Fenlon. The way we defended last week was such a surprise to say the least, given the amount of time the majority of the team had been together.

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11

jambo2006

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Griffiths mcpake and hanlon in the stand, 3 less empty seats, hubz 1 dons 3 killie 1 HMFC 2

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10

Baron von Hibee

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:46 AM

#9Scania, Yes I agree about O'Hanlon. He and Thornhill shows to me Calderwood couldn't spot a player. Last week was the first time there seemed to be stability at the back, even with Osbourne putting in a poor defensive display in the middle. Hope we remain solid but definitely apprehensive. Cheers.

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Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:29 AM

Baron*

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8

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:28 AM

#5 Basron, as long as O' Hanlon is in the stand or out shopping today. I think we'll be ok.

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7

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:27 AM

#4 says the man who recently changed his name from tott, etc etc. Oh the irony. Not one single Hibs fan gives a flying fig what you have to say Hen Broon. 2-1 Hibs....... 3-1 Killie.

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Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:23 AM

For goodness sake Hen Broon grow up & stop killing every thread with your immature nonsense. You are driving all the inteligent Hibs & Hearts posters away.

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5

Baron von Hibee

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:01 AM

To be fair #1HB is correct. The loss of the McPakeHanlon combination is a worry for me today. If we play like we did against StJ without them, we will need to score 3 to win it!

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4

Hen Broon

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 10:40 AM

#2 Grow p....stop changing your name & enter the world of adult debate. R U that thick that u think other posters will not recognise that there is nothing immature or nonsensical in my post? Rheotorical ?

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3

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:41 AM

2-1 HIBS. Quite fancy Pitbull to get one today. GGTTH

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2

Scania R620

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:40 AM

For goodness sake Hen Broon grow up & stop killing every thread with your immature nonsense. You are driving all the inteligent Hibs & Hearts posters away.

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