‘I know what he expects’ – Doherty opens up on those Conte comments
Matt Doherty has said that Antonio Conte’s reported quotes about not wanting to lose matches when quizzed on why he does not play the Irishman were taken out of context.
Doherty was handed his first start of the season away at Brighton on Saturday, and the 30-year-old passed the test with flying colours.
Although the Republic of Ireland international looked a little rusty in the final third, he made some well-timed runs into the box and some important defensive interventions.
The right wing-back earned the praise of the Tottenham head coach after the game (Spurs TV), but the Italian had been insisting in the weeks leading up to the match that Doherty had still not recovered fully from the knee injury he picked up back in April (Football London).
In fact, when the Spurs boss was asked after the 3-1 loss to Arsenal earlier this month why Doherty did not start, he was quoted as responding: “I am not stupid. I don’t want to lose” (Goal).
However, the right-back has now remarked that those words did not affect him and that they were taken out of context.
Doherty also added that he has been nearing 100 per cent fitness over the last few weeks, particularly after getting some game time during the international break.
When asked if Conte’s comments affected him, he told The Evening Standard: “No. To be honest, some of the lads, and one of my best friends, said that it was taken out of context. I didn’t read the whole thing, but they said to me that it was, and I trust their opinion.
“Look, I spoke to the manager when I was on international [duty], I know what he expects of me. I took no offence to the comments at all. It didn’t spur me on. I knew that I’d continue to train hard and that if an opportunity did arise I’d be good enough to take it.
“It’s only been frustrating [not playing] because I feel like it’s fitness issues. I just didn’t feel great in my body. The last four to six weeks I’ve started to feel like myself again.
“But look, I had a serious injury. It wasn’t a three or four-week injury. I had surgery on my knee. I’m happy with where I am at the moment.
“I’ve started to feel good over the last four to six weeks. It’s taken a bit longer than I would have liked for my body to fully recover, get my legs back and that match fitness that you need to play for a club like Tottenham.
“I feel like I’m getting there. It’s only one start. I think if I get a run of games I’d really start to shine again.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I think Conte’s remarks about Doherty’s fitness over the last few weeks were intended as a means to push the Irishman to get to the fitness levels he was at during the second half of last season. The 30-year-old’s performance at the Amex Stadium will certainly help boost his confidence.
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