Coventry City caretaker manger, former chief scout Andy Thorn has strengthened his claim to succeed the ousted Aidy Boothroyd i leading his beleaguered side to a creditable 2-2 draw at high flying Burnley last night.
Thorn opted to play an attacking 4-3-3 formation which came close to winning the game. Burnley manager Eddie Howe admitted that the attacking style of play of Coventry City took him and his side by surprise and they had difficulty in coping.
He said, "Coventry put us under pressure and credit to them, they performed very well. It was a complete change of approach and a releasing of the shackles. They came here with nothing to lose."
As for his opposite number managing his first game as City boss, Andy Thorn said, “The boys were absolutely fantastic. We changed quite a bit yesterday and loaded a lot of information on to the players in one go, but they were awesome tonight for large periods of the game we were in control against a very good side."
"I like the way we kept the ball, our work ethic was fantastic and they were a credit to the football club. It’s a start for us and I think maybe we deserved a little more from the game."
"There has never been any doubt about the players’ attitude; I know that because I had a lot to do with bringing some of them to the club and I wouldn’t swap them for anybody else.”
Thorn has certainly had a good start as manager and if he keeps up with the attacking style of play witnessed at Turf Moor on Tuesday evening, he will help to attract the fans back to The Ricoh Arena. Attendances have dwindled recently as the side went on a suicidal run of poor form that saw them drop from play off contenders to relegation fodder in less than three months.
Thorn is a former team mate of his chairman Ray Ranson, they played together when they were both at Newcastle United, but Thorn was non committal about whether he either wanted, or though he would be offered the City hot seat by his friend and chairman.
“The chairman asked me to do a job for him,” said. Thorn. “I’m an employee of the club, I love the club and so it was an honour and a privilege. Nobody is running before they can walk, and I’ve just told the boys that we need to build on this."
“We played some good stuff tonight and I’m sure the supporters appreciated that because they gave us a standing ovation at the end. I’m delighted them because they came a long way and spent a lot of money to watch us.”
Coventry City started brightly, but went behind to a sublime strike by Burnley's Rodriguez, but City equalised through the nearly man of the Sky Blues Lukas Jutkiewicz.
City went ahead though a superb individual goal from Coventry born and bred Gary McSheffrey, who went past two defenders and lobbed the Clarets 'keeper. The lead was not to last long though and four minutes later Rodriguez scored his second goal of the game to make it 2-2.
Thorn was delighted wit the attacking style of his side. He said, “That’s the style I want to play. I’m not going to speak about Aidy’s style because he’s a lovely feller and I’ve got nothing but positives to say about him, but I think we can build on this."
"They were absolutely magnificent today and we’re looking forward to another big game at Preston on Saturday before we have a two-week break when we can really get down to work.
“It’s an entertainment business; that’s what people pay to see and if we can win games while we’re entertaining, so much the better.”