Declan Drysdale was “proud” to have made his Sky Blues debut in City’s 3-2 win against Southampton U21s in the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday night.
The defender made his first senior appearance for the Sky Blues since his arrival from Tranmere Rovers back in January 2019.
Drysdale was happy to have got his debut out of the way and pleased to have come away with a victory.
Drysdale said: “It’s a proud moment, to have made my debut. It’s something I’ve worked for since pre-season and I’m just happy to get it over and done with. Hopefully, there’s more to come and I can build on this.
“We were alright in the first half, we moved the ball quite well, but it still wasn’t good enough.
“We started well in the second half, scoring two goals, but we came off it and we need to be more ruthless, but it was good to get the win on my debut.
“Being a defender, it’s disappointing not to get a clean sheet and let a two-goal lead slip. We’ll learn from it and especially me, being young, I’ve got to learn from it now.”
He also heaped praise on striker Max Biamou, after the Frenchman netted a sensational hat-trick as well as praising the Sky Blues faithful for creating a superb atmosphere on Tuesday night.
“On his day he can do anything and he’s proving it week in week out at the moment. He’s a had a tough time with injuries, but he’s come back, and he’s been on fire.
“The fans were brilliant tonight! We’ve got a great fanbase and they’re a credit to the club and I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Despite a good display, the 19-year-old still wants to improve the defensive side of his game.
“I think I did well tonight, but it’s whatever the gaffer wants, if I’ve done enough, he’ll keep me in.
“I’ve just got to keep working hard, keep my head down, keep getting performances on the board and hopefully he can’t not pick me.
“I like to defend, I want to improve my defensive side of the game, but I do enjoy defending.
“I’m confident on the ball, but again, I want to keep working on what I’m good at and then the rest will all come together.
“I’ve made my debut now, so that’s one target achieved, but I want to get more and more games in the first-team.
“I need to improve on my game before I do that, I want to be a regular, it’s a slow process, I’m still young and still learning the game”
Drysdale also believes that playing alongside fellow youngster Morgan Williams in the U23s is aiding his development as a player.
“Morgz is pushing me every day in training. We need to keep pushing each other, if anything, I need to get better at what he’s good at and he needs to get better at what I’m good at.
“We’re improving every day and it’s good to have competition like that. Morgan has the physicality and I’m more of a technical player.”
He also noted Sam McCallum’s rise to the first-team this season as a reason for all the club’s young players to be at their best in training.
“You’ve seen with the amount Sam McCallum has played this season that the gaffer always keeps an eye on training.
“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing in training and hopefully the game time will come.”