PLUS: Dom’s verdict on new boy
DOM’S VERDICT ON ACE AFTER DEFENDER IS NUTMEGGED IN TRAINING
DOMINIC Hyam is backing Coventry City’s latest signing to make an impact in the team after experiencing his skills at first hand on the training field.
Loan man Bright Enobakhare has trained twice with the Sky Blues this week and already made an impression on his new team-mates.
The 20-year-old forward, who can play as a striker or out wide, was drafted in from Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers to boost Mark Robins’s attacking options.
And centre-back Hyam has already experienced what it is like to defend against him. “He is quite tricky and he nutmegged me yesterday, which I am not too proud about,” said the defender, when asked about the player who is expected to be in the squad to face AFC Wimbledon at the Ricoh Arena today.
“It always gives us a lift when a new player arrives. I have seen him in training in the past few days and he is quite a good player.
“He is quick and he has good feet as well, so he can beat a man.
“He can go off both feet and he can whip a ball in too.
“He is bright, as his name would suggest, but he looks good and I am sure he will be a good addition to the squad.”
Manager Mark Robins is keen to get the 20-year-old integrating into the squad as quickly as possible. Enobakhare has been likened in style to former favourite Duckens Nazon who made an immediate impact when he joined the Sky Blues at the start of last season, also joining from Wolves. “He and Nazon are both powerful runners who can beat defenders,” said Hyam. “I think he will prove to be a good signing and we will see what he can do at the Ricoh.”
As for what type of character the player is, Hyam revealed: “He has been quiet so far because he doesn’t really know anybody yet, but I am sure he will come out of his shell and he seems like a nice enough lad.
“There’s healthy competition which is the sign of a good team and you need that in order to strive for better things, and that can only improve us.
“Out on the training pitches, it makes you have to fight for your shirt and that is good.”
As for this weekend’s opposition, bottom of the league Dons, against whom City played out a goalless draw away from home in the second game of the season, Hyam said: “It was a tough game at their place and I remember it well.
“They play in a certain way and we have got to have a look at how we can exploit their weaknesses to get the three points.
“We were all disappointed with the Scunthorpe result after a good Christmas period with three wins, but it is just trying to get back to winning ways now.
“The games come thick and fast in this league so we have to be prepared for the physicality of Wimbledon, but we are all working really hard in training to get consistency. When it is in the balance we have to be tight defensively and let the flair players do their jobs, and hopefully we can keep it tight on Saturday.”
Jordan Ponticelli has returned to Coventry City from his loan at Macclesfield Town.
The striker joined the Silkmen on a season-long loan deal in August in a move intended to provide regular football.
But Ponticelli’s progress has been restricted by injuries and he’s made only four appearances for the League Two side, including a single start.
He is quick and he has good feet as well, so he can beat a man. He can go off both feet and he can whip a ball in too Dominic Hyam