Busy Robins adds two more to his City roster
and long term aims. We need players for all levels of the club, with the ability to fight for a first team spot and to push everyone else in the squad further.
“Liam is a good age and has the attitude which we need at this club, and we’re looking forward to starting work with him.”
O’Brien will not have switched to Coventry to be content with sitting on the bench for another season, having been understudy to Pompey’s David Forde for 45 of the League Two Champions’ 46 league games this season and playing just three first team games in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The commanding 6ft 4in tall keeper came through the ranks at Fratton Park and was capped at England Under-19 level while at the club. He left Pompey initially in 2010 following their relegation from the Premier League, and went on to have spells at Barnet and Brentford before moving to Dagenham and Redbridge. He has plenty of experience in League Two, having made 34 of his 39 appearances for the Daggers in the division, before returning to Portsmouth on a shortterm deal last summer to provide cover.
He was limited to three appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy and Under-23 reserve team football, helping Pompey’s second string to the semi-final of the Premier League Cup.
During the course of last season he saved six penalties in all competitions, earning a reputation for being a specialist in facing spot-kicks.
Fellow new signing Dominic Hyam, meanwhile, ended the campaign on loan at Conference side Aldershot Town, having started the season on loan at Portsmouth where he failed to get a single game before being called back. The Scotland Under-21 defender – who has featured five times for his country at that level to date – has League Two experience after a loan spell with Dagenham and Redbridge the season before when he played 16 times, coincidentally, in front of goalkeeper O’Brien, joining from Portsmouth where the pair also trained together last term. Hyam is a lean ball playing centreback, not dissimilar to Cian Harries in style, who can play out from the back, pick a pass and doesn’t get flustered. He’s also known for his bravery after sticking his head in where it hurt during his short spell with Aldershot and requiring 20 stitches to a head wound and then returning to play the next game with a head bandage.
Hyam becomes Robins’s sixth signing of the close season, joining midfielders Michael Doyle and Liam Kelly, striker Marc McNulty, centreback Rod McDonald and goalkeeper Liam O’Brien.
“Dominic is a strong and aggressive centre half, who comes from a very good Academy set-up at Reading,” said the manager.
“His time there has ensured that he has all of the attributes to be a quality defender. He has also spent time on loan in men’s football, which is an experience which will undoubtedly benefit him and us.
“Dominic is another player with potential who we’ve brought in to develop and strengthen the club as a whole, not just the first team.
“He will be expected to push for a place in the first-team, and adds depth and further quality to an important position.”
Dominic is a strong and aggressive centre half. His time at Reading has ensured he has all of the attibutes to be a quality defender Mark Robins