The inside track on Hume's transformative summer
In the life of a young footballer, it can be hard to find the time to reflect.
Especially given the rigmarole of League One, opportunities to look back are scarce.
So when the COVID-19 outbreak saw Sunderland’s League One side placed on an indefinite hiatus – which soon turned into a cancellation – it gave Denver Hume to look back on what had been, and look ahead at what was to come.
The 2019/20 season had been a breakthrough one for the academy graduate who, having flirted with the firstteam during the previous campaign, firmly established himself as a regular under Phil Parkinson.
But there’s that old adage, isn’t there? The hard work only begins once you get into the team.
A n d wh i l e i t m ay b e cliched, it was something Hume had on his mind over what turned into an extended break. He therefore set about ensuring he was in peak physicalandmentalconditionupon his return.
That involved a lot of running, hardwork in amakeshift home gym and a fair dose of self-reflection.
“Physically, I've always been quite good. I'm quite naturally fit so that side wasn't too bad,” he explained.
"We had a running programme and stuff to do and all that was fine. I did my gym stuffathomeandwegotabitof equipment from the training ground so that wasn't too bad.
"On the other side of my game, it was watching a lot of stuff back from last season. I played a lot of games and when you're playing a lot of games consecutively you don't ever really get a chance to look back and see what's gone wrong and what's gone well.
"So that was a good chance for me to watch stuff back and watch a lot of football. The Premier League was on so it was good to watch those big games and take bits of your game and try and implement things from other players you watch.”
And there were two Premier League teams in particular who were closely watched by Hume over the summer,
given their tactical similarity threats – while he also looks tainly been a key factor in season. to Sunderland. to be much-improved in a deHume’s continued develop"The gaffer and the staff
It gave the 22-year-old a fensive sense. ment. have helped me with that a chance to watch players at the He’s quickly become one of The Sunderland boss has lot - making me confident and top of their game, garner the the first names on the Sunderplaced a great deal of faith in making sure every game I'm good parts, and improve himland teamsheet and is becomthe academy graduate, and it the best I can be. I think it's self. ing a shining beacon to players speaks volumes about Hume’s down to everyone really, I've
"There's quite a few teams lower down the rungs at the form that – despite needing a worked hard on my game but do it [play 3-4-3] in the Premier Academy of Light. left-sided defender for much the staff have really helped me League and even the ChampiBut still, Hume is aiming to of the summer – Parkinson as well.” onship,” said Hume. progress further. has placed plans on the back *Sunderland are in the
“If you look at Sheffield So where does he feel his burner. market for defensive cover United and how they play, game needs to improve? He has placed his faith in ahead of Friday’s 5pm deadit probably is a bit similar to "It's difficult to answer, bethe youngster, who has been line – and the Black Cats have us. Obviously not exactly the cause I'm a young player and preferred to more experibeen credited with an interest same, they've been playing it there's still a lot of my game enced options in Laurens de in Rotherham United defendlonger than us and are better to improve on. So I'd say allBock and Declan John over the er Curtis Tilt. in some parts which is why round really. But the stuff I've last 12 months. The Black Cats are sweatthey're in the Premier League. been working on with the staff That belief isn’t lost on ing on the full extent of an
"B ut t e a m s l i ke t h at - is making sure my defensive Hume, who admits the trust injury suffered by defender Wolves play it as well - watchside is really good. that has been placed in him – Arbenit Xhemajli while training them and taking bits from "It's all good going forward, coupled with a run in the firsting on international duty, it replayers in your position and but making sure I'm recoverteam – has seen his confidence mainsunclearhowseriousthe seeing what they do and what ing hard and helping whoever rapidly increase. injury is but it is understood he works well for them.” is playing on the left side of the “I think confidence comes could be facing several weeks
And the work Hume out.hascentrebacks.withplayinggames,andIdid put in over lockdown has cer"Going forward, the gaffer play a lot of games last season,” It would be a further blow tainly paid dividends thus far. has been telling me to get in at he said. for Sunderland who are al
His goal against Carlisle the back stick and try and get "When the league got shut ready without Morgan Feeney United last week was just remore goals. Still creating stuff, down I looked at what I'd done after he suffered a hamstring wards for a start to the season trying to get assists, plenty of well and what I needed to iminjury and is facing up to four which has seen the wing-back crosses in.” prove on so when I came back months out. Tom Flanagan emerge as one of the Black And the influence of ParI was definitely in better shape will also serve a one-game ban Cats’ prominent attacking kinson and his staff has cer- all round to go into the new after the international break.