Home
Jak Hickman’s positive start in a Wanderers shirt is just the tip of the iceberg, in the opinion of head coach, Ian Evatt.
The former Coventry City defender made his first appearance against Crewe in the EFL Trophy, creating some good chances with his work down the right flank.
Evatt was pleased with the 21-year-old but believes he is still playing catch-up on the physical condition his position demands.
“Hicky is a talent and he has an ability to put balls into difficult areas for defenders to defend,” the Whites head coach explained.
“He is one who, fitness-wise, is not quite there yet. He needs to be fitter and when you look at Gethin (Jones) how fit and strong he is, how he can sustain over 90 minutes, when Hicky gets to that level he is going to be a very good player. That game certainly helps and I think he was very good.”
Hickman left Coventry under a cloud after a video circulated on social media in which he appeared to mock the club and make disparaging comments to supporters.
He spent much of the last 12 months on loan in the non-league before earning a contract with Wanderers after a successful trial.
Evatt has no doubts Hickman can play regularly at League Two level once he improves his conditioning and has backed the youngster to challenge Gethin Jones for a spot on the right.
“He was very highly thought of at Coventry before that incident happened. He has learned from it, and he’s a better person now,” he said.
“As a player he’s always had talent. For me, it’s just being able to sustain that energy and what we’re asking from him for 90 minutes. It’s a difficult job that wing-back job for us. You have to attack and defend, run con constantly at high speed for 90 minutes, and he can’t quite do that at the moment yet. But when he can he’s going to be a top player.”
Source
The former Coventry City defender made his first appearance against Crewe in the EFL Trophy, creating some good chances with his work down the right flank.
Evatt was pleased with the 21-year-old but believes he is still playing catch-up on the physical condition his position demands.
“Hicky is a talent and he has an ability to put balls into difficult areas for defenders to defend,” the Whites head coach explained.
“He is one who, fitness-wise, is not quite there yet. He needs to be fitter and when you look at Gethin (Jones) how fit and strong he is, how he can sustain over 90 minutes, when Hicky gets to that level he is going to be a very good player. That game certainly helps and I think he was very good.”
Hickman left Coventry under a cloud after a video circulated on social media in which he appeared to mock the club and make disparaging comments to supporters.
He spent much of the last 12 months on loan in the non-league before earning a contract with Wanderers after a successful trial.
Evatt has no doubts Hickman can play regularly at League Two level once he improves his conditioning and has backed the youngster to challenge Gethin Jones for a spot on the right.
“He was very highly thought of at Coventry before that incident happened. He has learned from it, and he’s a better person now,” he said.
“As a player he’s always had talent. For me, it’s just being able to sustain that energy and what we’re asking from him for 90 minutes. It’s a difficult job that wing-back job for us. You have to attack and defend, run con constantly at high speed for 90 minutes, and he can’t quite do that at the moment yet. But when he can he’s going to be a top player.”
Source