The defender has been one of the real winners since Jakirovic arrived
Cody Drameh says his future is at Hull City and is relishing working under Sergej Jakirovic as the full-back prepares for Sunday’s first home game of the season.
Drameh has impressed throughout the summer and in the first two competitive games of the season, but much of the months leading into the new campaign centred around his future.
The 23-year-old has attracted significant interest, and at one point, it looked like he might be leaving the MKM Stadium before the club decided he wasn’t for sale and Jakirovic made him a firm part of his plans.
Given Lewie Coyle’s unfortunate hamstring injury, he picked up during the pre-season training camp in Turkey, Drameh has been an ever-present and has certainly given Jakirovic food for thought when the skipper returns.
“I’ve, really, really enjoyed it,” he told Hull Live. “For me, the gaffer has been super, super chilled, and I’m kind of a bit of a chilled guy, so we have meshed together quite well. I really, really like his tactics, his man management as well, so yes, it’s been a nice fit, a nice change of pace. It’s all about keeping playing, keeping getting by, training, and just listening to the gaffer and just doing the best I can.
“I don’t really pay attention too much to the outside noise. I’m just very focused on myself and my football. My future’s with Hull City. I’ve got two years left on my contract, plus a year on the club side, so that’s what it is for me.
“I can’t really comment on the outside noise because I don’t really know what’s going on. I’m just trying to play football, trying to play games.”
Drameh and left-back Ryan Giles have looked like players reborn in recent weeks, and the ex-Leeds United man believes he’s been given a new lease of life by the Bosnian.
“I can’t speak about Gilo (Ryan Giles) personally, but he’s been really, really good these past two games. I just took a lot of time to reflect over the summer. It was a difficult season last season. I used that break very, very well. It’s a new lease of life, and with the gaffer – he’s been helping me out a lot with that, I think it’s been a good start.”
Despite all the off-field distractions, Jakirovic has put together an organised team and one that remains unbeaten in their opening two games away at Coventry City and then at Wrexham, though the Tigers did succumb to penalty shoot-out heartbreak in North Wales.
Drameh credits the manager, staff and senior players in the dressing room for ensuring that they are in the best possible shape going into the new campaign.
“Absolutely (City look like a well-drilled team). I think that’s a testament to the gaffer and a lot of the senior players in the squad. We’ve got a real togetherness through the players, the staff, and then obviously you’ve seen the fans; they were brilliant and I’m gutted for them (about losing at Wrexham).
“It’s just about sticking together. It’s been a difficult time for the club, there’s a lot of things going on off the pitch, but once you cross that white line and there’s a game in front of you, you have just got to focus on the football and do the best you can.”
You can listen to the full interview in the latest episode of the 1904 Club podcast right here
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