Southampton remind Thorn of Norwich last season

Last updated : 04 November 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City manager Andy Thorn has spoken about his side's next opponents Southampton, who visit The Ricoh on Saturday.

Coventry City and Southampton have played each other more times than any other side. They have met 114 times over the years with honours fairly even. City have won 41, 37 have been drawn and Southampton have won 36. The saints have scored 161 goals to City's 158.

However, Thorn is expecting a hard game on Saturday with Southampton five point clear at the top of the table with Coventry deep in the relegation zone.

Speaking to the Southern Daily Echo, Thorn said that the current Southampton side remind him of Norwich City last season.

He said, “They are very similar to Norwich with what they did when they had (Grant) Holt, and Southampton have got Lambert, so it doesn’t surprise me.

“They have got good players in the likes of Lambert and Lallana, who has got quality, as well as Chaplow on the other side, and we’re looking forward to the game.”

Coventry go into the game knowing they desperately need points to ease their relegation concerns and in the knowledge that they are not easy to beat at home.

City haven't won in four games, but have lost just two games out of seven at home and have a decent defensive record.

Thorn remains upbeat and looks forward to the so called big games. After Southampton City face West Ham and then Brighton who are all vying for promotion this season.

Thorn said, “The big games are all good games to have and we have got a good run of them now, but top of the league coming to our place will make for a good atmosphere and a great chance for us to show people what we can do.

“They are all tough games but it depends on us and if we apply ourselves the way we know we can. It will be a good atmosphere and it will be tough, but it’s certainly not beyond us.”