Some Ireland fans have blasted Matt Doherty for his performance against Slovakia yesterday after the Republic of Ireland suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in their Euro qualifier play-off.
With Seamus Coleman out injured, the Spurs right-back got the nod to start in the all-important playoff match at Bratislava last night.
Stephen Kenny’s side gave a decent account of themselves for the majority of the encounter and had chances to win the game both in normal time as well as extra time.
However, their failure to take their chances pushed the game into a penalty shootout, with Slovakia ending Ireland’s hopes of an appearance in next summer’s tournament.
While all four players who stepped up for the home side converted, Alan Browne saw his effort saved for Ireland while Doherty hit the woodwork to seal their fate.
Some Irish fans were critical of the 28-year-old’s performance in the game and suggested that he should have not been allowed to take a spot-kick.
How does Doherty play for Spurs?
— Liam (@ljte19) October 8, 2020
Coleman is best rb we have Doherty not good enough within back 4 and Byrne not good enough need to be England to be playing no doubting he is a good player at loi level but need to be playing at a higher level to prove he’s good enough to be getting intel
— Darryl Foley (@foley_darryl) October 9, 2020
Doherty has been very very poor so far, constantly giving ball away #SLOIRL
— 🏆 CHAMP19NS 🏆 robbie coombes (@robbiecoombes1) October 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/OdhranMahony/status/1314294050867023872
Doherty having a poor game again
— Paschal Bergin (@PaschalBergin) October 8, 2020
Yeah I thought Doherty was poor, resorted to fouling when beaten, poor distribution, looked way off. Should not have been given a pen.
— Paul (@paul_ver2_0) October 9, 2020
In a back 4, Seamus Coleman is a far superior player to Doherty. Such a shame he wasn’t available tonight 😔
— Barry Fitzgerald (@bfitzgerald76) October 8, 2020
Doherty poor all night Should never ave hit one
— Peter Mc Laughlin (@DonegalSigns) October 8, 2020
Doherty is so poor i see now why wolves got rid
— jackie connell (@jackie_connell) October 8, 2020
Matt Doherty is shite the Wolves set up suited him he has been poor so far for spurs too hopefully coleman is fit if somehow we sneak through #Ireland
— Anthony (@antohoop1) October 8, 2020
Spurs Web Opinion
Each fan base always seems to have a scapegoat when results do not go as planned and for Ireland fans that seems to be Doherty. It is understandable given that they have strong cover at right-back but in reality, the Spurs man can hardly be faulted for the loss yesterday. He helped kept a clean sheet and provided a lot of energy down the right flank. He deserves credit for stepping up to take a pressure penalty.
Have something to tell us about this article?
