'Not always sunshine and rainbows' - Milan van Ewijk opens up on 'rollercoaster' season at Coventry City
Milan van Ewijk reckons he is starting to get back to his best form after what has been a ‘rollercoaster’ season with Coventry City.
The Dutch defender described his campaign as ‘up and down’ individually, as well as collectively, but he feels the influence of Frank Lampard is already reaping its reward. And as the Sky Blues prepare to kick off their festive fixtures with this weekend’s trip to Portsmouth, Van Ewijk insists the squad is capable of putting their struggles in the first half of the season firmly behind him to start pushing up the Championship table.
Asked about the campaign so far at Friday’s pre-match press conference, the 24-year-old said: “It’s been up and down. I’ve struggled a bit with confidence to be honest, but I’m getting back there to my old self. It’s been a rollercoaster season for me. Things haven’t worked out for me, like conceding goals down my side or being out played, but that’s on me.
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“I’m confident in my ability defence-wise with one-v-ones, but in certain points in games things have gone against me and confidence drops and you end up somewhere. The boys try and pick you up and the gaffer as well, but like I said, I’m getting back to my old self.
“It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, these games are part of your journey and your career, and you need to just deal with it.”
Amsterdam-born player Van Ewijk has moved from a wing-back role to right-back since Lampard’s arrival and is relishing linking-up with Tatsu Sakamoto on the right flank.
“I prefer to play as a right-back with Tatsu in front of me, because I think the chemistry we have together can bring a lot to the game and I’m happy we have gone back to a back four,” he added.
“I think you could see it last season (the chemistry), the way he (Lampard) wants us two to play now, it will be even better and the chemistry like I said is almost perfect between us.”
It’s been one area that van Ewijk says the new head coach has already been to work on.
“He’s given me some tips on how to play with Sakamoto and how to make the best of our game together to make sure we destroy the right side,” he added.
“It’s been working out and also in ball possession and just trying to improve my game and I feel more confident.”
The Sky Blues have won two, drawn one and lost one since Lampard replaced Mark Robins and go to Fratton Park looking to push up the table.
Van Ewijk, who joined from Dutch side Heerenveen in July 2023, certainly believes the squad should be higher up the standings.
“If you look at the names who we have on paper, we should be up there, but I don’t think it has been our season so far, but the way everybody is feeling, we’re ready to go. I think we can now start the process of climbing the table.”
