KOROMA: I was in a rut, but now it’s time to kick on

tap-in off a Sorba Thomas cross to kickstart the Terriers’ comeback.

That marked Koroma’s first goal in 18 games, and it was no less than he deserved after a much-improved all-round performance playing off the left wing. Corberan said after the game: “I think he was more brave, he was more aggressive, and the key with him is to recover his aggressiveness because we know he’s a player that, in attack, can use that to create chances against any opponent.”

Koroma is now hoping to do exactly that, saying: “Last year Carlos was fantastic for me. It was the best season of my life so far and I’m hoping to do better this season.

“I’ll be the first one to say I wasn’t playing well, but Carlos never treated me any different to when I was scoring every game for him. That was reassuring, that he still has that trust in me, and hopefully I can start repaying him.

“I think every footballer goes through a period of not playing well, whether you’re playing at the very top or at the very bottom end of football.

“I was just in a rut of form really and needed a goal. I’ve got that goal now, my confidence is starting to come back so, hopefully, I can just kick on from here.”

Corberan has a theory that all young players who bust a gut to get to a certain level are then given a harsh lesson in just how much hard work and dedication takes to stay at that level.

He has named Koroma, alongside Sorba Thomas, Scott High and once upon a time - Lewis O’Brien as having gone through that process.

Koroma agreed that has been one factor behind his lull in form this season, but added: “It’s not just that. It’s that once you do reach peaks of your performances, other teams start to adjust to stop you as well.

“I think Sorba would tell you the same thing, likewise Lewis. When you’re consistently playing well over a period of time, teams will start to find ways to stop you playing your game.

“Then I think that’s where you need to learn to unlock defences or learn to stay in the game in different ways.

“That’s one thing I need to learn,

When you’re consistently playing well, teams will start to find a way to stop you playing your game

it

Sorba is learning now. You can see he had a bit of a period where he didn’t have an assist for a long time and now he’s come back firing. “Hopefully, it’s the same story for me. You’ve just got to adjust to what the other team is doing.

“I think a main aspect I need to add to my game is learning to go both ways (cutting inside and going out to the wing), which I’m constantly working on every day with the coaching staff.

“Hopefully that can start to come out soon as well.”

Corberan has stood by Koroma throughout his dry spell, saying after the game against QPR in late November that he had picked Koroma in his starting line-up primarily because he ‘wanted to make him involved and continue feeling important in this squad and this process.’

Koroma revealed that is reflective of the head coach’s attitude behind the scenes, too, saying: “When we had the conversation he said he knows the player I am and knows how good I can be and that it was just about getting that out of me.

“He said he could tell I’m not confident at the moment and he was just reassuring me that I was in his plans, which is obviously helpful.