Trai Hume reflected on being handed the armband, adapting to a new role and earning the trust of Régis Le Bris
Trai Hume says wearing the captain’s armband for Sunderland was a moment of immense pride, after being handed the responsibility in the absence of Granit Xhaka.
Hume captained the side following Xhaka’s injury and admitted the call from head coach Régis Le Bris was unexpected, but hugely meaningful. “I’m really proud,” Hume said after the Burnley game. “When we knew Granit wasn’t playing, the boss spoke to me before the game and said I’d wear the armband. It was a proud moment and showed faith in me. I’m really proud of the boys, and I think that shows not just in games, but in training and how you apply yourself. It’s a real honour.”
Walking out as captain at Premier League level is something Hume is still taking in, particularly given his journey with the club from League One to the top-flight. “It’s something I’m really proud of. I was surprised when I got the opportunity. If I’m doing it for the next couple of weeks until Granit is back, I’m happy to do that. My family are over the moon. I don’t want to get too high or too low – I just take it in my stride. I’m really proud to do it.”
Hume also revealed how Le Bris broke the news, with senior teammate Luke O’Nien present. “It was just before the West Ham game. He called me in for a meeting and brought Luke O’Nien with me. When he told me, Luke was probably more smiley than me. That’s just how he is. Luke said after the game tonight how proud he was of how far I’ve come and the responsibility I’ve taken on. That meant a lot.”
That captaincy trust sits alongside broader faith from Le Bris, particularly after Hume was withdrawn at half-time against West Ham last month. The defender admitted he was his own harshest critic but was grateful for the backing he received.
“I think I’m more harsh on myself than anyone else can be, to be honest. I know when I’ve had a good game and when I haven’t, and I won’t shy away from it or feel sorry for myself. I just know we get to go again, work hard throughout the week and hopefully get another opportunity. I’m thankful to the boss for keeping me in the team and hopefully I repaid that tonight.”
Asked whether that trust boosts his confidence, Hume acknowledged the understanding that has built between himself and the head coach. “Probably in a way, yeah. I think we’ve worked together for a long time now, and he knows what he’s going to get out of me. I’ll listen to the job he wants me to do and go out and try my best to do it. Sometimes that changes depending on decisions, but I think he trusts me to go out and do what he wants me to do. That’s my job.”
In his first Premier League season, Hume has also been adapting to new tactical demands, including spells in unfamiliar positions – something he views as part of the learning process. “In a way, it does give you a bit of confidence, but I just try to take it in my stride. It’s my first season in the Premier League – you’re not going to play perfect every week. I think West Ham showed that. I won’t be too high, and I won’t be too low. I just try to be steady, work hard and keep improving.”
That adaptability will again be tested with trips to Arsenal and a home clash against Liverpool on the horizon, but Hume insists Sunderland will approach those fixtures with belief rather than fear. “We know the two teams we’re coming up against – they’re two of the best teams in the Premier League, without a doubt. We’ve faced them earlier in the season, and we know how good they are. But we also know we can stick together as a team and go out and get a result because we’ve done it before. We’ll go there with no fear and belief in ourselves that we can get something.”
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With Xhaka set to miss Arsenal, Hume acknowledged the skipper’s frustration but stressed the group’s focus remains unchanged. “Yeah, 100%. You know his character – he wants to play every game. That’s probably one of the big games he’d want to be involved in. But it’s out of our control. We’ll go there and try to get a result.”
Looking ahead, Hume believes positive results in the next two fixtures would further reinforce Sunderland’s progress this season. “Looking at where we are in the table and the points we’ve got, if we do get results against two of the best teams in the league, it gives us a lot of confidence. We’ll go there with no fear. They’re good teams, no doubt, but earlier in the season we took points off them. The plan is to go and try to do that again.”
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