Matt Doherty: Wolves belong in Premier League

Doherty came in for criticism from his Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill last week, who said the wing-back needed to drive forward more and not pass inside.

The Wolves man hit back on Friday and suggested his face didn’t fit in the current Ireland setup.

He added after his man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday: “The way I play is good enough for the team at the moment so I’m not going to change just to please a couple of people.

“(Martin O'Neill's comments) aren't a motivating factor.

“The way I play at club level won’t change how I play, I’m not going to do things that are unnatural for me.”

Doherty set up Raul Jimenez’s winner as Wolves dominated the Clarets and moved up to ninth in the table.

He added: “The scoreline didn’t do it justice at all.

“We were really good and it was a deserved three points, for sure.

“We believe we belong in this league and we’ve started the season well, we could have had a point or two more.

“We’re just as good as the players we’re playing against.

“Players on opposite teams have said it’s a real struggle to get around us with the formation we play. Everyone knows their roles.

“We’re in a good moment right now, so let’s keep going.

“Burnley are no mugs at all but we’re a good side as well – it’ll take a good performance to beat us.

“I really enjoyed it. You could tell we were playing some great stuff.

“I didn’t feel uncomfortable at any stage, we were really on it against a well drilled and established Premier League team.

“It was my best performance of the season, I definitely should have scored.”