Coventry City's 17 year old Burundi born midfielder Gael Bigirimana is ready to play again after suffering a dip in form and confidence after the poor game he had at Ipswich last month.
After being taught a harsh lesson at Portman Road by the likes of former Premier League players Jimmy Bullard and Lee Bowyer, City boss Andy Thorn dropped Bigirimana to give him time to rest and regain his confidence.
The ploy has apparently worked and he is now ready to join the first team again and he is raring to go.
Andy Thorn told the CT: “He’s starting to come back on it now so I am pleased with that, but after having a bit of a wobble at Ipswich, where he understandably looked out of his depth against ex-Premiership stars Lee Bowyer and Jimmy Bullard, the Academy graduate was given a spell on the sidelines.
“Young players do take a dip, that’s what happens and his stats backed up the fact that he was running on empty and if you keep going with them then you end up ruining them, so it was important that we reeled him in for a bit.
“It’s been difficult because Cyrus Christie and Chris Hussey have been going through the same so I have had to mix those two a little bit because there is no-one else to put there.
“Cyrus is starting to come through it and Chris starting to dip, so it is important that we get the more experienced players back as quick as possible, but I am pleased with Gael who has benefited with coming out of the team. In an ideal world you would dip them in and take them out and let them have a little look from the stands before putting them back in again.
"You give them a taste and gradually feed them in rather than just throw them straight in. You have to keep an eye on what they are doing and none of them have been dropped, it is because we are looking after them for the future.”
Ever since Bigirimana arrived in Coventry he has impressed everyone with whom he has come into contact with his enthusiasm and commitment and after being dropped he asked to be played in the youth team again. He is so keen to play and to improve his game he is prepared to play at any level, just as long as he can get a game.
Thorn revealed: “He asked me if he could play in the youth team last Saturday, which is good because it shows he’s hungry and wants to play but he’s around us now and getting back on it again.
“We had a reserve game against Northampton this week and he played 90 minutes and that gave me a chance to bring him back to the boil. He’s been looking good in training again which is great to see and he’s desperate to get going again.”
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