Coventry City club crest on the side of the Ricoh Arena
Coventry City’s Jake Bidwell this week celebrated two years at the club – but things could have been very different if a proposed move to St Andrew’s had gone ahead last January
Jake Bidwell has been at Coventry City for two years to the day today (January 17), safe in the knowledge that he’s won over any early doubters. Consistently strong and reliable, the 30-year-old saw off competition from young loan man Josh Wilson-Esbrand last season after the Manchester City wing-back joined in January, and is currently keeping summer signing Jay Dasilva on the bench as more of an impact sub.
Bidwell has many admirers and has grown to become a firm favourite among the fans and teammates alike – only this last weekend earning the nickname the Terminator after jumping up from a red card challenge by Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu, with Callum O’Hare saying: “Bidwell is the Terminator. Bidders is a monster. I mean, everyone knows that. He took a two footed tackle and just got up like it’s nothing. He’s like Rambo!”
Ironically, just 12 months ago the former Brentford, QPR and Swansea defender was widely reported to be heading to Birmingham City to free up space and wages after the Sky Blues had targeted Dasilva for a January transfer from Bristol City. But when the Robins were unable to find a replacement left-back themselves, the chain broke down and Dasilva stayed at Ashton Gate for the remainder of the season, with his switch to the CBS Arena put on hold until last May.
“Umm, I don’t think it was as close as people seemed to think,” he told CoventryLive. “Obviously we had just brought in Josh Wilson-Esbrand on loan as well, so I don’t know. People seem to think it was a done deal, sort of thing, but it was never that far down the line.”
Dasilva’s arrival and early season form resulted in the former Chelsea prospect establishing himself as the manager’s first choice, with Bidwell consigned to the sidelines for a sustained period – three months to be exact – for the first time in his senior career. Although in every matchday squad, he barely got on the pitch and the writing appeared to be on the wall in terms of his longer term future at the club.
Asked if it was a difficult period for him, having to be patient on the bench, he admitted: “Yeah, but I just think that’s part and parcel of football sometimes and that’s probably the first time in my career that I have had that long a spell out. It was a different experience for me but I just used it to sit back and take stock of my game, see where I could improve and try to use that time as best as I could really when I wasn’t playing.
“You have to get your head down and get one with it, and be ready to contribute when you get your chance again.”
He added: “Bigger squads and more competition, that’s just modern day football in general. Managers usually want bigger squads and with the busy schedule these days it’s probably needed. But ever since I have been back in I have enjoyed it and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season.”
So was there any aspect of his game that he wanted to improve and thinks he has managed to achieve during his time on the bench?
“No not really,” he said. “I just think that when you are in the games sometimes it’s hard to analyse what’s going on because the game is so fast and you’re just concentrating on doing your job.
“But when you are sitting back and watching from the side you get a broader view of what teams are trying to do, so from that point of view you see a lot more, I suppose. I just tried to use it to my advantage. No player wants to be sat on the sidelines but I just tried to use the time the best I could to improve myself. I don’t think there’s one area but I tried to take in as much information as possible.”
The one big thing that has changed, however, is City’s preferred formation, and it can be no coincidence that a switch from wing-backs to a back four with more orthodox full-backs has resulted in Bidwell re-establishing himself in the side.
“Yeah, I have mentioned before that playing wing-back is something I have had to learn along the way,” he agreed. “Coming through the youth team in my time we never played a back five. It was always a back four, so naturally I think I am always going to be a bit more comfortable in a back four.
“Obviously I am happy and comfortable playing wing-back but most of my football growing up was in a four, and if I had to pick a favourite position it would be left-back. But as I say, I am just happy to be on the pitch and playing anywhere.”
He added: “If you want to compete at the right end of this league you need a big squad and need competition all over the pitch to push people on. And I think everyone knows they can’t get complacent.
“Obviously my position with Jay is no different. It’s healthy to have a strong squad to push each other’s levels all the time. I’m happy to be in the team at the moment but I know that if there’s any drop off at any point then I won’t be in the team.”
