If nobody expected the Hatters to win promotion from the Championship in 2023, fewer still imagined their bit-part utility man would be lionised on Match of the Day.
"Quite magnificent," was how pundit Martin Keown described a player who created more top-flight chances than Kevin De Bruyne last season.
Doughty eventually finished ninth in that particular metric, his tally of 70 (including eight assists) just two behind Chelsea star Cole Palmer and three adrift of Manchester City's Phil Foden.
What made Doughty's sudden emergence so incredible was not a lack of quality; that had been evident from his early days at Charlton, where he made his professional debut as an 18-year-old in 2018.
"Just outstanding," said former Addicks boss Lee Bowyer after Doughty had provided an assist against Sheffield Wednesday on his first-ever league start.
"He was playing against some of the best wingers in the division and he was excellent from start to finish.
Denne historien er fra December 01, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 01, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
NOLAN BIDS TO GIVE THE COBBLERS A REBOOT
NEW Northampton boss Kevin Nolan says restoring shattered confidence is his first priority at Sixfields.
'INCREDIBLE” MAGPIES HIT DONS HARD
NOTTS County boss Stuart Maynard hailed an \"incredible\" display after his side won at MK Dons.
100-UP HERO COOKS VALE
ANDY Cook was saluted by both managers after the Bradford striker scored a goal-of-the season contender in the Bantams' victory over Port Vale.
SUPER STAGS HUNT DOWN SORRY POSH
NIGEL Clough saluted his rampant Stags as Mansfield Nuted blew Peterborough away at London Road.
FLETCHER SPOT ON TO DEFEAT POOL & LEAVE BRUCE FUMING
STEVE Bruce slammed referee Ruebyn Ricardo for awarding Wrexham a late penalty against his Blackpool side from which they produced the winner.
LAMPARD HAS ROO FEELING SO SKY BLUE
FRANK Lampard admitI ted he has great sympathy with what counterpart Wayne Rooney is going through at Plymouth after their first managerial clash ended with a thumping Coventry triumph.
THORUP DELIGHT AS CITY BOUNCE BACK
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be looking to make it a Christmas double when his side entertain QPR today.
BULLISH EDWARDS DEFENDS HATTERS
'We did deserve a point'
Cullen brace sets a mark for Luke
LUKE Williams hailed a near-perfect performance by his Swansea side against QPR and hopes they can repeat the feat versus Luton today.
WARNE: WIN WILL GIVE US A BOOST
PAUL Warne admits his Derby side's win over West Brom will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United this evening.
