Post by Les on Apr 6, 2019 10:08:34 GMT
www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jack-ross-knew-denver-hume-16084451
Why Jack Ross knew Denver Hume had what it takes to be a key player for Sunderland
Jack Ross says he could tell very early on Denver Hume was going to be a big part of his Sunderland plans for this season – which is why he is so keen for the home-grown left-back to return for next.
The then-21-year-old caught Ross’ eye in pre-season training, and impressed with the way he played out of position in his first two starts for the club.
Now, after coming off the bench in the Football League Trophy final and starting at Accrington Stanley, Hume is starting to look like he could be the first-choice left-back.
“His performance level at Wembley and on Wednesday evening is what I expect from him,” said manager Ross.
“I remember in the first couple of days of pre-season trying to gauge the young players fairly quickly and he was one that quickly understood what he needed to do within training and games to be part of what we were doing here.
“He just kicked on hugely from it. From where he was and where he was viewed in pre-season to where he is now is brilliant.
“Take out the period of the injury and it’s been a really good season for him.
“He’s a good player, a really good player, and it’s encouraging for us as a whole club that we continue to produce players like him.”
Rochdale vs Sunderland
A knee injury kept Hume out from late September to mid-March but with Reece James and Adam Matthews on the sidelines, it would be a major surprise if he did not start at Rochdale on Saturday, even with Bryan Oviedo available.
Hume impressed as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers in last season’s final game, but Ross initially used the left-footer at right-back.
“When younger players are given their opportunity they’re usually given it through what you see in training and under-23 games, or sometimes through circumstance and the way things pan out for them,” Ross reflected. “You can never say with certainty how they’ll take that opportunity.
“One of the even bigger things for us was that he was not only making first-team appearances but playing on his ‘wrong’ side, and how he dealt with that was a real strong indicator as to his mindset and that he could deal with first-team football.
“Because he performed well at right-back you believed that when he got his opportunity on his natural side he would be even better.
“Being able to handle that so well at a young age was really good.”
Like Elliot Embleton, Ethan Robson and Max Stryjek, Hume is part of a cluster of youngsters to have come through the Academy of Light who are out of contract in the summer. Ross is keen to retain them, but not panicking.
“From my point of view it’s quite simple,” said the Scot, who lost top-scorer Josh Maja in January. “I keep saying to Denver that as long as I’m the manager he doesn’t have top worry about it because I want him to be here and I’ve wanted that to be the case for a long time, since I first started working with him. That is outwith my hands to a degree because it’s not my job at the club to conclude any business in that respect.
“For me it’s about the identification of the players I want to keep.
“It’s not a concern to me that Denver hasn’t signed a new contract yet but I would still like to get him tied up because I think he’s a good player and somebody who can play a big part in us moving forward.”
Why Jack Ross knew Denver Hume had what it takes to be a key player for Sunderland
Jack Ross says he could tell very early on Denver Hume was going to be a big part of his Sunderland plans for this season – which is why he is so keen for the home-grown left-back to return for next.
The then-21-year-old caught Ross’ eye in pre-season training, and impressed with the way he played out of position in his first two starts for the club.
Now, after coming off the bench in the Football League Trophy final and starting at Accrington Stanley, Hume is starting to look like he could be the first-choice left-back.
“His performance level at Wembley and on Wednesday evening is what I expect from him,” said manager Ross.
“I remember in the first couple of days of pre-season trying to gauge the young players fairly quickly and he was one that quickly understood what he needed to do within training and games to be part of what we were doing here.
“He just kicked on hugely from it. From where he was and where he was viewed in pre-season to where he is now is brilliant.
“Take out the period of the injury and it’s been a really good season for him.
“He’s a good player, a really good player, and it’s encouraging for us as a whole club that we continue to produce players like him.”
Rochdale vs Sunderland
A knee injury kept Hume out from late September to mid-March but with Reece James and Adam Matthews on the sidelines, it would be a major surprise if he did not start at Rochdale on Saturday, even with Bryan Oviedo available.
Hume impressed as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers in last season’s final game, but Ross initially used the left-footer at right-back.
“When younger players are given their opportunity they’re usually given it through what you see in training and under-23 games, or sometimes through circumstance and the way things pan out for them,” Ross reflected. “You can never say with certainty how they’ll take that opportunity.
“One of the even bigger things for us was that he was not only making first-team appearances but playing on his ‘wrong’ side, and how he dealt with that was a real strong indicator as to his mindset and that he could deal with first-team football.
“Because he performed well at right-back you believed that when he got his opportunity on his natural side he would be even better.
“Being able to handle that so well at a young age was really good.”
Like Elliot Embleton, Ethan Robson and Max Stryjek, Hume is part of a cluster of youngsters to have come through the Academy of Light who are out of contract in the summer. Ross is keen to retain them, but not panicking.
“From my point of view it’s quite simple,” said the Scot, who lost top-scorer Josh Maja in January. “I keep saying to Denver that as long as I’m the manager he doesn’t have top worry about it because I want him to be here and I’ve wanted that to be the case for a long time, since I first started working with him. That is outwith my hands to a degree because it’s not my job at the club to conclude any business in that respect.
“For me it’s about the identification of the players I want to keep.
“It’s not a concern to me that Denver hasn’t signed a new contract yet but I would still like to get him tied up because I think he’s a good player and somebody who can play a big part in us moving forward.”