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.
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I'd still want to keep Pat on side
Patrick Bamford has always been a player who divides opinion amongst Leeds supporters.
WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON
LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.
BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE
OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.
TOWN EARN THEIR CORN!
HARROGATE mon Weaver breathed a sigh of relief after his side edged past Gainsborough Trinity at a rain-sodden Exercise Stadium.
OH MY JOSH - O'S KEEPER IS THE HERO!
RICHIE Wellens praised keeper Josh Keeley as Leyton Orient reached the third round following a dramatic win over National League Oldham.
'IT HASN'T BEEN MY WHOLE FOCUS AND THAT HELPED ME
SHAUN Barker never attempted to conceal the fact that he had no burning desire to play football.
MATT'S BOYS SHOW CLASS
WYCOMBE side-stepped a tricky second round fixture by defeating Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
LUKE SEETHES OVER SLOPPY SWANS START
LUKE Williams admitted he gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time after seeing them come into the break trailing against bottom of the table Portsmouth.
UPSET FOR HARRIS AS TYLER HITS STUNNER
Neil Harris insisted the fact that Millwall were bitterly disappointed to claim only a point shows the progress his side have made over the past 10 months.
ANTE AT THE DOUBLE FOR ON-SONG CITY
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup paid tribute to the home fans after watching his side come through a tough test against Luton to win comfortably in the end.
