Wrexham captain Dom Hyam has made the top 5 EFL Championship list on the back of a strong individual form during the festive period.
An old story in football often goes like this. Most often, upcoming prodigies end up a defender by trade, not by choice. And rightly so, because no matter how much one resists, the sport’s inclined towards strikers & the ultimate deciding metric ‘goals’.
Naturally, defenders(particularly centre-backs) go unnoticed & underappreciated. Chances are, a number 9 may be excused for missing a sitter, yet every mistake by a defender counts as a blunder.
The result? Forwards turn their disastrous performance into a clean match rating with a goal, while the backline’s efforts go under the radar of the fans.
Take, for instance, the latest Wrexham outing against Blackburn. Despite a solid overall display with a rotated lineup, returnee Ollie Rathbone & Sam Smith emerged as the fans’ heroes while Dan Scarr finished as the underappreciated one.
Well, who better to relate to the center-back’s agony than his teammate, Dom Hyam. Especially, for how the standing captain has moved past the last 3/3 wins as a silent guardian.
Dom Hyam makes it to top Championship stat
Not to forget, Dom Hyam had a part of his image tarnished for Wrexham’s abysmal defensive record in between. A timid performance against Sheffield won’t help him, followed by a Preston goal that went directly through his feet.
Despite consecutive errors, the Wrexham captain comes in front, urging his teammates to win against the club’s poor away form. What’s interesting to note is that Hyam was the first one to follow the orders, in the club’s comfortable 2-0 win over Blackburn.
Not to forget, it was Wrexham’s only clean sheet display in over a month of letting in avoidable goals.
It must be additionally noted that with this performance, Wrexham leader Dom Hyam enters an esteemed Championship list. As per Fantasy EFL, the 30-year-old ranks 5th in the most clearances tally in the division.
Trailing by Lloyd Jones, Cameron Burgess, Matt Clarke & Michael Helik, Hyam has 193 clearances in the 24 appearances this season. Even if not the best, the center-back’s record is quite impressive, given he’s missed a game and has his effort cut back by a solid midfield, unlike most of the other clubs’ participants here.
Couple it with the occasional Captainship responsibilities, and easily, Dom Hyam has proved to be one of Wrexham’s best defensive signings ever.
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For a club that has gained a lot from Captain James McClean’s character, this may read bogus. Yet Wrexham shouldn’t undermine Hyam’s contribution as the leader, having won all of his recent games as the standing captain.
Well, and now comes the moment of truth as McClean ought to return after serving his 3-game suspension.
First things first, displacing George Thomason from the left wing back role to revert McClean there comes as a big call for Parky. With the makeshift excelling in the position, and Cacace back as well, the option of McClean being unused for some games isn’t ruled out.
All it does is spice up the armband contest, which Wrexham must resolve without causing mid-season chaos.
From a practical perspective, considering Wrexham’s roster churn policy, a decision on 36-year-old McClean’s future would demand attention. While the leader’s extensive Premier League experience is well appreciated, the Dragons may want to look ahead with an option for the future.
That’s where Dom Hyam strengthens his contention for the role even more. Being backed by Parky & well trusted by teammates, Hyam can be the perfect leader Wrexham need to fly up to the Premier League.
What remains imminent is that Hyam looks destined to serve as Wrexham’s permanent Captain one day. Shall it be this year or the upcoming ones? We will see.
