Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Matt Doherty has launched a scathing attack on his own teammates, questioning their courage and challenging them to avoid being labelled "cowards" as the club teeters on the brink of an infamous Premier League milestone.
A Looming Historic Low
The Molineux club's dismal season hit a new low with a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford on Saturday, a result that leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table. The consequence is stark: if Wolves fail to win at Liverpool next weekend, they will set a new and unwanted record. They will become the first team in Premier League history to fail to win any of their opening 18 matches since the competition's inception in 1992.
Doherty's Explosive Challenge
Speaking to Premier League Productions after the latest defeat, an emotional and frank Doherty did not hold back. He presented his colleagues with a brutal choice about how they wish to be remembered. "Do we want to be remembered for fighting until the end of the season or do we want to be remembered for being cowards and taking maybe the easy option out?" he asked.
Doherty suggested some players might be considering an exit when the transfer window reopens, adding, "Maybe trying to leave in January or letting other people take your position?" He described the atmosphere at Molineux as damning, noting the stadium was nearly empty at the final whistle and not full at the start, a clear sign of eroded fan faith.
A Crisis of Belief and a Plea for Help
The experienced full-back, who has seen both European highs and League One lows during his time at Wolves, pinpointed a profound psychological issue within the squad. "We are just lacking the belief to win a game," he stated. "We are scared to win a game, almost. Nervous about going ahead and trying to hold on. It feels like we are watching the same game back every week."
Doherty openly called for reinforcements in the January transfer window to inject "fresh energy" into the camp, though he declined to specify which positions need strengthening. He expressed confidence that the club, historically proactive in the winter market, would be working on solutions behind the scenes.
The situation is particularly dire under new boss Rob Edwards, who has now overseen six consecutive defeats since replacing the sacked Vitor Pereira. Edwards echoed the need for fight, insisting, "We cannot give up now. That would be crazy. I will fight, the staff will fight, and we need the players to come together and fight too."
With a trip to Anfield next, the challenge to avoid an indelible place in the history books for all the wrong reasons could not be greater for Doherty and his beleaguered teammates.
