Doyle | 'There was a lot riding on the game'

17th January 2024

Tommy Doyle was happy to have helped Wolves set up an FA Cup Black Country derby thanks to their third round win over Brentford although he admits he would have preferred the replay not to have gone to extra time.

The midfielder believes his side could have done better with the goals they conceded at Molineux on Tuesday night having dominated for most of the game but was pleased they were eventually able to get the job done after playing 80 minutes of the original tie with 10 men and then 120 minutes in the replay – setting up a mouth-watering fourth round clash with West Bromwich Albion.

But having reached the semi-finals with Sheffield United last season, Doyle is determined to not just go one better with Wolves, but the England under-21 international is confident the team has what it takes to go all the way.

On making it into the fourth round

“It was difficult. Obviously, we don’t plan for anything to go to extra time, so for that to happen was tough for us, but when you’re on the winning side it makes the feeling a lot better.

“It’s frustrating because I think the goals were a little bit sloppy and we were made to work really hard for it, so there’s things that we can obviously improve on, but the main thing is that we won and we’re through to the next round.”

A thrilling two hours of football 🥵

What was your favourite moment tonight? pic.twitter.com/LTnHWgnLkv
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 16, 2024

On giving their all for 120 minutes

“It’s tough, but it’s part and parcel of what we do. You’ve got to put your body on the line, you’ve got to work for each other and I think we did that tonight. The lads were flat out near the end, but once you’re winning, it gives you that little bit extra to run.

“It’s difficult, but I think we do that most weeks. Here, we work really hard and it’s not easy when it goes to extra time but you’ve got to find that bit extra as there was a lot riding on the game. With West Brom now in the sights, it’s a big game for us and a big game for the fans, so we’re really happy.”

On setting up a Black County derby

“We knew that if we got a good result what that would mean, especially for the fans and what it would mean for them.

“We’ve got it done now, but we won’t think about that game until it comes because we’ve got Brighton next on Monday night, so we’ll recover in the next few days and be ready to go again.”