Matt Doherty: Wolves must stay focused in the Premier League

The wing-back believes Wolves can’t afford to take their foot off the gas at any moment – because they would be punished in England’s top tier.

Doherty was outlining how Wolves have had to up their game going into the Premier League, compared to playing in the Championship last season.

Asked about what he has improved on this season, Doherty said: “Probably concentrating more. In the Championship you can kind of lose concentration for a bit and not get punished, but in the Premier League you can’t really do that.

“Obviously it is the best league in the world and I want to stay here so I want to do everything I can to do that.”

He continued: “Of course (these are the days of my life), first year in the Premier League and we are flying at the moment.

“We have got a bit of a break now with the international break and back at it against Watford.”

Wolves have made a strong start to the Premier League and sit seventh in the table after eight games.

They battled to a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in their last game, which extended their unbeaten run to six league games.

And Doherty – who got the winner – believes Wolves’ fine form is down to their discipline and organisation, which is drilled into them by boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

He said: “Yes, I mean we are getting coached every day on it with the shape of the team, little things on the opposition. So a lot of it is down to that. Once we get on the pitch we know what to do.”

Doherty will be in contention for his first start for the Republic of Ireland tomorrow when they play Denmark in the Nations League.

He has only made three substitute appearances for Ireland and last month received criticism from manager Martin O’Neill who felt Doherty should get forward more down the wings.

But since then Doherty has won the PFA’s Player of the Month award for September and scored his first Premier League goal.

Now O’Neill, who went to Palace to watch Doherty play on Saturday, revealed the Wolves wing-back is pushing for a starting place.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Ireland’s game against Denmark, O’Neill said: “Yes I think he is, I went to see him on Saturday and he was saying himself the team didn’t play particularly well in the first half but they came storming through in the second half.

“He in particular scored the goal so he is having a really good time at the moment. Again, one player who is playing exceptionally well in the Premier League and he has got a good chance of being involved in the game (against Denmark).”