Was very good today, he’s exceeding my expectations of him as I thought he’d struggle
Likewise. He has certainly stepped up. Always thought he was a good captain, but not convinced as a player. Certainly proving me and other doubter wrong. Long may it continue.
Think he is an excellent captain, an excellent representative of the club and has worked extremely hard to rise to the level. A proper NJ player who I’m glad we have
Still think the end of the day we need someone who is slightly better on the ball, but if people can’t see what he does offer off it and think he’s not able to play at this level have been given a big reality check
Still think the end of the day we need someone who is slightly better on the ball, but if people can’t see what he does offer off it and think he’s not able to play at this level have been given a big reality check
When we are, hopefully, pushing up the league this is obviously correct. I don’t think anyone think he’s the man to lead us to the Premier League, as much as we’d love that.
But he is exactly what we need for right now. His off the ball energy was likely always part of the plan.
So good is a bit of a stretch but he did his job very well today.
Exactly: great man, great captain, great performance today, but in general he's the weakest of our 3 starting midfielders. I actually think Coventry is the one who plays better in championship than league one, he's looking a much more complete midfielder.
Best game so far in a Charlton shirt yesterday at this level. Think it helps when his teammates are also in good form. While Coventry is more technically gifted Doherty has the experience and leadership.
I was certainly one who felt he was a passenger, particularly in the first half of last season. I think by his own admission he took time to settle and Jones also benched him a couple of times.
I questioned the wisdom of not only making him skipper, but signing him at all. 2025 has certainly seen a much better version of Doc, with I hope more to come.
I always find it amusing when a club feels a player isn't up to their level so they let them go, only for the player to eventually play above that team.
E.g. Greg Doherty from Hull Macaulay Gillespie from Plymouth
I’ve said this before but I think he’s underrated by the fans because the weakest part of his game is when he’s in possession.
Yesterday’s performance was one of his most eye catching for sure, but his intelligence, positioning and work rate off the ball are a major reason why we are the way we are.
And that does not even take into account his influence on the team and culture off the pitch as well.
Honestly don’t think there’s gonna be many games this season that we’re gonna control, so alongside Coventry and Carey/Knibbs, he will be absolutely fine. He’s fit as a fiddle and brave to go with it.
I think some people underestimate the value of a good captain on the pitch. Docherty is just that. He’s able to steady the ship by both example and vocally and is I think a key component of our generally tight performances. Certainly not the complete midfielder but for where we are in terms of team development and for how Jones wants us to play I’d suggest he’s very important. Always thought he’d retain his position because I think Jones recognises his value.
Think it’s pretty obvious that JRC was brought in to replace/challenge him and he’s risen to the challenge. JRC has only played in the Champ and I haven’t seen many (if any calls) for the swap to be made
Fine margins in that middle though, if Doc would've been punished for giving the ball away easily we'd be having the complete opposite discussion.
He's doing well but is prone to a mistake.
Every player at every level is prone to a mistake. You see mistakes in every game and every game is about ifs, buts and maybes. Can't we just say he, and the rest of the team, played well overall and we deserved to win without trying to pick holes. And before anyone says "it's a discussion site" I agree but sometimes it gets a bit grating that some people want to find something to moan about. 😞
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He's not a player who is going to single handedly win games maybe, but he's absolutely a player who enables the game winners.
Some of our subs can offer more on the ball, but they’ll need to offer plenty off it to take Doc’s place.
Going to be interesting to see how our midfield 3 and front 2 evolves this season. Playing like this Doc fully deserves his place.
But he is exactly what we need for right now. His off the ball energy was likely always part of the plan.
I questioned the wisdom of not only making him skipper, but signing him at all. 2025 has certainly seen a much better version of Doc, with I hope more to come.
E.g. Greg Doherty from Hull
Macaulay Gillespie from Plymouth
He's doing well but is prone to a mistake.
You see mistakes in every game and every game is about ifs, buts and maybes.
Can't we just say he, and the rest of the team, played well overall and we deserved to win without trying to pick holes.
And before anyone says "it's a discussion site" I agree but sometimes it gets a bit grating that some people want to find something to moan about. 😞