Sideways Sammy

Brought in as Milan van Ewijk’s readymade replacement during the summer, the Dutchman staying at Coventry City has complicated Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s integration into the team. Starting in just one of his ten league appearances for the club, Kesler-Hayden has largely had to content himself with late cameos, often being played out of position in an advanced role. Strangely, or perhaps not, it has been during those brief introductions that Kesler-Hayden has been most impressive, whereas he has looked tentative on the couple of occasions he’s been handed a start in league and cup.

It is hard to judge what Kaine Kesler-Hayden is truly capable of at the moment with such little experience of playing in his preferred right-back spot. His biggest asset appears to be his pace and directness in attacking areas when he gets the chance to run at defenders and get into good positions in and around the penalty area. The defensive side of his game hasn’t really been tested in Sky Blue yet but the early indications are that he isn’t as strong a defender as Milan van Ewijk is, hence why Kesler-Hayden hasn’t really got a look in as far as challenging Van Ewijk for a starting role is concerned.

The reality for Kaine Kesler-Hayden is that he will remain in a supporting role for as long as Milan van Ewijk can either avoid injury or is a Coventry City player. The positive that Kesler-Hayden can take from his early months at Coventry is that he has made himself one of the first players that Frank Lampard turns to from the bench to either see out results or looks to change things up. It would be easy for Kesler-Hayden to be discouraged due to the lack of a realistic opportunities to start but he has largely made a positive impact in the smattering of minutes he’s been handed. It is an encouraging sign from the player that suggests he is ready to make a bigger impact as and when required.