What’s up with Gus...
ROBINS BACKS MIDFIELD ACE TO SHRUG OFF DIP IN FORM
GUSTAVO Hamer has been a shining light at times during Coventry City’s first season back in the Championship.
Arguably one of the most talented signings for the Sky Blues in years, the all-action central midfielder has caught the eye of many an opposition manager and will, no doubt, be much sought-after in the summer.
His undoubted talent, speed of thought and improvised goals have wowed City fans since his arrival for over £1million last summer from Dutch side PEC Zwolle where he largely operated as a right wing-back.
Playing in his more natural deep lying midfield play-maker position where he started out in his career,
City’s high energy box-to-box man has been flagging a bit in recent weeks.
The dip in form resulted in him taking a rare rest on the bench on Easter Monday, having started 31 of his 35 league appearances for the club so far this term.
So what’s gone wrong for the 23-year-old in recent weeks.
“I think all sorts of circumstances come into play,” Robins, told the Telegraph.
“A season in general in English football in the Championship is relentless. It’s tough and changes week by week.
“January to the end of the season is different to August until December, and you have different games, different types of opposition, training, different surfaces, different weather types... He’s never experienced anything like this before. “He’s also here with his young family and not been able to see his extended family. He’s not been able to do anything outside his home other than training. And all the players have been magnificent in that sense. We have had very few cases of Covid because they have all been as professional as they can be, and we’ve mitigated as well as we can do.
“With the energy levels you need with the concentration levels it’s different. Pitches have changed and there are very difficult surfaces at the minute but it doesn’t affect him because he’s got great technical ability.
“What he’s never experienced before is 30 games in a season where he has played in the middle of a packed midfield where he’s up and down and expending such energy levels.”
Robins added: “So sometimes it happens where you get a little dip, and if that’s what he’s experiencing then there’s only really one way through it.
We have got seven games left and you have to dig in, knuckle down and kick on. Mark Robins
“We have got seven games left and you have to dig in, knuckle down and kick on. You have to work hard in training and get yourself to a level if you’ve had a dip in form.
“If it’s just the other side of it where you just need a mental breather it’s difficult to do, but we’ll have a look at that as well because there’s no certainty in all of it.”
And Robins is convinced Hamer will come back strong to more than play his part in the final run-in as City strive to avoid relegation.
“There have been times this season where he has been absolutely electric,” he said.
“Everyone has enjoyed watching him play and he just needs to relax a little bit because he will get uptight, and he will be uptight because he’s so desperate to do well. So maybe just re-focus and work hard in training and things will come back for him.”
As for the current vacancy at right wing-back with Fankaty Dabo injured, Robins has tried Julien Dacosta who is struggling for form and consistency and, more recently, played youngster Josh Eccles out of position.
Asked if he’s ever considered playing Hamer out wide in the position he knows well from last season, Robins said: “I think Gus is a brilliant midfield player and while I could maybe utilise his services there at any point, it’s not where I see him long term or short term really.
“I think he has got brilliant ability in the middle of the pitch and that’s where he’s best served.”