Hoddle claims Spurs man now has a chance to seal spot in the starting XI

Glenn Hoddle has urged Matt Doherty to seize the opportunity he will now get after Emerson Royal’s suspension in order to build his own confidence.

Antonio Conte had continued to overlook Doherty heading into last weekend, with the Italian consistently giving Emerson Royal the nod to start at right wing-back.

The Spurs boss had reasoned that the Irishman was still short of his best physically after the knee injury he sustained in April (Football London).

With Emerson being suspended for three matches after his red card in the North London Derby two weeks ago, Conte turned to Doherty against Brighton on Saturday.

The 30-year-old put in a solid display and helped Spurs come away with a hard-fought 1-0 win from the Amex Stadium.

Hoddle remarked that Doherty showed signs of getting his confidence back in the final stages of the clash against the Seagulls and called on the former Wolves man to build up his confidence and fitness over the next two weeks.

The Spurs legend said on Premier League Productions (08/10/22 at 6:30 pm): “He (Doherty) was so close to having what I would say is a good game after coming back in from his injury. He just needs to go to that next level.

“He does some good things. But he also does some unusual things and he’s trying to work his own game out. He was getting better and better actually, getting the confidence, before he got the injury.

“I think he now has to start again. He has an opportunity. Emerson is out for a few games. Two more is it now? So, he has a chance to, maybe he won’t play in the European game (against Frankfurt), but against Everton, he will be back in there.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Doherty was always going to look a little rusty, given his lack of game time this season. However, even so, the 30-year-old demonstrated on Saturday why he is a much better fit for the wing-back role than Emerson Royal, with the timing of his runs into the final third.

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