Baker says players must take blame for Thorn's sacking

Last updated : 31 August 2012 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City's Carl Baker has said the players must shoulder some of the blame for the sacking of manager Andy Thorn.

Speaking to the CT's Andy Turner, Baker explained the manger selects the players and picks the team, but it is down to the players to perform on the pitch and in the game against Bury, they let their manger down.

Coventry dominated the first half and led 2-0 at the break but allowed Bury to get back into the game with a poor second half performance to earn a 2-2 draw.

Baker said: “At the end of the day it’s not the manager’s fault. He picks the team but the same team went out in the second half against Bury as played so well in the first, so it must be frustrating for him. I think the lads must take full responsibility and we all showed that that wasn’t acceptable with the way we played in the cup.

“I couldn’t sleep on Saturday night thinking about how we had thrown it away. I had texts from a couple of the Bury lads I know who said they couldn’t believe how they got back in the game after the first half when they said we were one of the best teams they have played for a long time, but football has a habit of kicking you in the face one day and then you have nights like Tuesday.
 
"I did fear the worst after the first five minutes and it could have turned out to be an absolute nightmare, to be honest, but thankfully we gave a response and I personally felt proud of the performance and all the lads.”

Baker reflected, “It has been really hard over the last few days. I had a good relationship with Thorny who has always been good with me so I am sad to see him go.

“It was a shock because it was so early in the season. I know the second half against Bury wasn’t good but we still haven’t lost in seven games. I thought with him bringing in so many new players in the pre-season that they were going to give him a bit more time, but it’s a ruthless business.

“I’m sure he’s hurting now because he wanted to be a success here but unfortunately that wasn’t to be. All the lads were disappointed to see him go but it happens all the time and we have to make sure we keep going.

“Richard Shaw and Lee Carsley have been fantastic and it is testament to them that everyone worked their socks off for them against Birmingham.

“I think we did work harder because the second half against Bury was so bad but we knew that whether we won, drew or lost I think the fans would have gone home happy because we played for 90 minutes and gave a performance.”

 

More on this: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/2012/08/31/92746-31735261/?