Long runs, Premier League scouting and self-reflection: The inside track on Denver Hume's transformative summer

In the life of a young footballer, it can be hard to find the time to reflect.
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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.

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The 2019/20 season had been a breakthrough one for the academy graduate who, having flirted with the first-team during the previous campaign, firmly established himself as a regular under Phil Parkinson.

The inside track on Denver Hume's transformative summerThe inside track on Denver Hume's transformative summer
The inside track on Denver Hume's transformative summer

But there’s that old adage, isn’t there? The hard work only begins once you get into the team.

And while it may be 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 physical and mental condition upon his return.

That involved a lot of running, hard work in a makeshift home gym and a fair dose of self-reflection.

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“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 stuff at home and we got a bit of 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.”

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And there were two Premier League teams in particular who were closely watched by Hume over the summer, given their tactical similarity to Sunderland.

It gave the 22-year-old a chance to watch players at the top of their game, garner the good parts, and improve himself.

"There's quite a few teams do it [play 3-4-3] in the Premier League and even the Championship,” said Hume.

“If you look at Sheffield United and how they play, it probably is a bit similar to us. Obviously not exactly the same, they've been playing it longer than us and are better in some parts which is why they're in the Premier League.

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"But teams like that - Wolves play it as well - watching them and taking bits from players in your position and seeing what they do and what works well for them.”

And the work Hume has put in over lockdown has certainly paid dividends thus far.

His goal against Carlisle United last week was just rewards for a start to the season which has seen the wing-back emerge as one of the Black Cats’ prominent attacking threats – while he also looks to be much-improved in a defensive sense.

He’s quickly become one of the first names on the Sunderland teamsheet and is becoming a shining beacon to players lower down the rungs at the Academy of Light.

But still, Hume is aiming to progress further.

So where does he feel his game needs to improve?

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"It's difficult to answer, because I'm a young player and there's still a lot of my game to improve on.

"So I'd say all-round really. But the stuff I've been working on with the staff is making sure my defensive side is really good.

"It's all good going forward, but making sure I'm recovering hard and helping whoever is playing on the left side of the centre backs.

"Going forward, the gaffer has been telling me to get in at the back stick and try and get more goals. Still creating stuff, trying to get assists, plenty of crosses in.”

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And the influence of Parkinson and his staff has certainly been a key factor in Hume’s continued development.

The Sunderland boss has placed a great deal of faith in the academy graduate, and it speaks volumes about Hume’s form that – despite needing a left-sided defender for much of the summer – Parkinson has placed plans on the back burner.

He has placed his faith in the youngster, who has been preferred to more experienced options in Laurens de Bock and Declan John over the last 12 months.

That belief isn’t lost on Hume, who admits the trust that has been placed in him – coupled with a run in the first-team – has seen his confidence rapidly increase.

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“I think confidence comes with playing games, and I did play a lot of games last season,” he said.

"When the league got shut down I looked at what I'd done well and what I needed to improve on so when I came back I was definitely in better shape all round to go into the new season.

"The gaffer and the staff have helped me with that a lot - making me confident and making sure every game I'm the best I can be. I think it's down to everyone really, I've worked hard on my game but the staff have really helped me as well.”

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