Wins, clean sheets, pushing for the top, I couldn’t be happier
DOM Hyam insists he’s “lovin’ it” at Coventry City right now.
In his third year with the Sky Blues, last season’s Player of the Season continues to grow and develop – a feat all the more impressive given that he’s playing out of his natural position.
The right-footed defender has adapted his game to become Mark Robins’s ‘go to’ man on the left of the team’s highly impressive back three that has kept 11 clean sheets in the league so far this term – few more impressive than Tuesday night’s shut-out against big and physical promotion rivals Portsmouth.
“We talked about it in the dressing room afterwards, knowing just how big a game it was and how important the three points were,” said Hyam, reflecting on the hugely satisfying 1-0 victory over Pompey.
“We’re pleased with how we stood up. They put a lot of balls in our channels in the second half and tested us defensively, but I think we stood up well and are really proud of what we did as a defensive unit.
“We’re working well and have quite a good record all playing together, so long may that continue.”
Asked what areas of his game he feels he needs to improve on, Hyam said: “I still think I need to work on my left foot to be honest and generally just sharpening up playing out from the back and building attacks.
“I think we have been solid defensively but I think we can always improve on building attacks.”
He added: “I’m naturally right footed so it’s always a bit of a challenge on the left. I don’t know if I would prefer playing the other side because I think I have found my bearings now and it would be a bit weird if me and Rosey swapped.
“I’m quite comfortable with it now and had to adapt.
“But I’m lovin’ it, playing lots of games and quite a few clean sheets. All the centrebacks are playing together so none of us are unhappy at the moment.
“I am playing some good football and happy.” With City up to third in the division and unbeaten in nine in the league, does he sense the team building momentum?
“I think so,” he said. “You can’t help but feel that we’re on a good run at the moment so we try to take it one game as it comes. But we’re on a good wave at the moment and we want it to continue. You can’t help but look at the table every now and again but we have to focus on ourselves and not worry about teams around us.”
Today’s opponents secondbottom Southend have lost experienced players and also have a number of injuries, resulting in manager Sol Campbell turning to many of the club’s academy players, but Hyam warned: “We can’t underestimate Southend and they’ll be fighting so we have to treat them with respect and earn the points.”