Coventry City boss Andy Thorn suffered a bit of a setback yesterday as he prepared for the first game of the new season when his normally faithful car broke down.
Thorn's car a silver Vauxhall Omega, nicknamed the Silver Bullet, finally ended its life after hauling the large frame of its owner around the country over the last few years when he was on his scouting missions for the club.
Thorn did have some good news yesterday though. He announced at the press conference that two of his more senior players had signed contract extensions.
James McPake and David Bell have agreed deals that will keep them at the club until 2013 and 2015 respectively.
Thorn was in no mood to buckle under to the speculation that Coventry City would, at best be 'also rans', or worse relegation favourites this season, he didn't even acknowledge that the Sky Blues would be the underdogs to one of the teams fancied for promotion, tomorrows opponents Leicester City.
With Thorn not having spend very much money on his two new goal keepers, Sven-Goran Erickson has spent over £10m rebuilding his Leicester side, with more to be spent over the next few weeks.
A bullish Thorn said, “They’ve spent a hell of a lot of money and they’ve obviously got a good manager and a good staff so they should be getting promotion this season."
“Apparently we’re just there to make up the numbers but that doesn’t bother me one little bit. I’ve been an underdog all my life so I’m used to it now! I don’t care how much money people spend on players, when you go into a game it’s 11 v 11 and believe it or not we’re not a bad side.”
Some bookies have Coventry down to struggle in the Championship this season and that Thorn will be one of the managerial casualties as a result of their struggling.
Unsurprisingly Thorn doesn't agree and he hit back saying, “I’m fed up with having my players written off. Other people can think or say what they like, but it’s all about what we do on the pitch and we’re ready to put the smiles back on the fans’ faces like we did at the end of last year."
“Of course it can be frustrating when you’re trying to bring in new players, but I’m just pleased the games have come around because it gives us all something else to talk about. Off the pitch what will be will be. If we get new players we do, if we don’t then I’ll go with what I’ve got.”
Thorn didn't mention the names of any player he is interested in signing, but Adam Le Fondre is one striker who has persistently been linked with a move to Coventry, but the speculation that a loan deal with Tottenham Hotspur for their midfielder Jake Livermore is looking increasingly unlikely.
Thorn will be without Freddy Eastwood for between two and three months after scans showed a tear in his hamstring which he sustained in last weeks friendly against Norwich City.
“James broke his back but he’s a really strong character and he’s itching to get back after getting some playing time under his belt in pre-season."
“I had to put in a few nice trips to Livingston before we signed him which is probably why the Bullet blew up! I wasn’t very happy about that but apart from that everything’s fine.”