Ireland defender Matt Doherty details Spain pain as Wolves return from pre-season training camp
Premier League side Wolves were in Marbella for a pre-season training camp.
Matt Doherty might have scored the winner in Wolves’ pre-season friendly opener against Italian side Como - but the Ireland defender admitted that conditions were tough during their pre-season training camp in Marbella.
Temperatures rocketed into the high-30s during the Premier League side’s visit to southern Spain.
And the Dubliner revealed that he had never experienced heat like it - as Wolves’ players were put through their paces during some gruelling pre-season sessions.
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“It was obviously tough. We’ve been training quite hard as people can probably see on the Instagram videos and all the running we’ve been doing, and things like that, and obviously the weather,” said the Ireland defender.
“When I’ve gone on holidays, I’ve never been places where it’s been this hot. It’s been quite unbearable at times, but I think we got what we wanted out of the game, some minutes in the legs, and I think we did alright.”
Wolves saw off Serie A newcomers Como 1-0, with Doherty heading home the only goal of the game.
“Everyone played 45 (minutes), pretty much, but it’s just the first game,” he told the Wolves website. “Obviously, as things go on through pre-season, people will probably play more minutes. But it’s the first week and we’re pretty happy with where we are.
“You’re trying to get your breath and it’s obviously our first game back after some people have had six or seven weeks off, others have had three or four, and you just can’t recreate the type of fitness that you need for the football training back at home like we’ve had here.
“No matter what you do, it’s always a big blow when you come back.”
As for his goal, Doherty added: “It’s obviously nice to chip in with a goal and all that, but the deliveries are always on point from the lads, so it doesn’t really matter who takes it. Rayan managed to stick it on my head and I managed to take it.”
Next up for Wolves is a trip to the USA next week and the 32-year-old can’t wait.
“Of course I’m looking forward to it! We’re going to Miami for two weeks – how can you not look forward to that?” Doherty asked.
“But we’ve got three games that we’ve got to prepare for, so there won’t be much time for much fun, it will be mostly work. It’s a different atmosphere, a different country, a different culture, so it will be enjoyable.”
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