Sideways Sammy

For so much of his Coventry City career, the missing element to Callum O’Hare’s game has been his end product and now, after missing nearly one and a half seasons through injury and entering the final months his contract, O’Hare has found it. Ever since that match-winning brace against Birmingham City in early December, Callum O’Hare has led the Sky Blues’ charge into a play-off position with some decisive, devastating contributions in the final third. Whether it is in his finishing or his passing in the final third, O’Hare has now finally demonstrated that he is has taken that next step up as a footballer into becoming a reliable match-winner.

It isn’t quite the case that Callum O’Hare has taken his game from prior to his injury and added goals, he has become a slightly different player. Once someone who played at a furious intensity in pressing opponents and carrying the ball directly into contact, O’Hare has seemingly been forced to adopt a more circumspect approach in order to lessen the physical toll on his body, and he has become more impactful as a result. While he can still lead the press, O’Hare is more focused off the ball on floating into pockets of space to receive the ball and then releasing it before defenders can get to him. He is running less and thinking more, which has added composure to his game. Where once fans would grimace when the ball fell to O’Hare in the penalty area, there is now a confidence that he will convert positions into goals.

With no indication yet that Callum O’Hare will sign a new contract with Coventry City, the club is left in a similar situation with a star player as they were last year with Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer, however, without the possibility of raising money for a replacement through a sale. After missing the best part of two seasons through injury, it seems Callum O’Hare is taking the view that he has waited long enough for a shot at the highest level, and that this summer may be his best opportunity to guarantee that. Callum O’Hare has demonstrated since returning from injury that he deserves his chance in the Premier League, the only way it seems likely that he will stay with the Sky Blues is if they join him there.