Coventry City manager Andy Thorn has said that he is not bothered about new loan signing's Alex Nimely's record during his time at Middlesbrough.
Although Nimely has officially joined Coventry City on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season, he will not join up with his new team mates until Monday and will probably make his debut for City against Middlesbrough, where he was on loan for three months, but failed to score in his ten games.
Thorn addressed the criticisms by some fans of Nimely's inability to score by saying he was used as a winger and not as a striker and was more often than not used as a substitute.
Thorn insisted to the CT: “He’s a young boy and I’ve seen him score enough goals to know what he does. He is a very, very talented young player for his age in this country and I’ve liked him for a long time now.
“I was keen on him a while back but he caught malaria from the African Nations or something like that and it kept him out for a long time, but he’s back now and he’s a very good player who will give us a dimension that we haven’t had at this club for a long time.
“People can look at his goal record at Middlesbrough all they like but I know what he can do and I know what he will do. He was never really been given a chance.
"He was played in wide areas but he’s an out and out centre-forward and a goal scorer, and I’m looking forward to getting him in. I have seen him in reserve games and he causes centre-halves all sorts of problems and he suits the way I want to play.
"He stretches teams and he’s a big talent. A lot of clubs are after him and Brian Marwood has done us a big favour at Man City and agreed to let him come to us, but he’s a real good talent and will suit the way we play because he’s quick. We need pace in the team up front.”
One of the criticisms levelled at Thorn and Nimely has been that he is virtually unknown, but Thorn hit back saying, “Did anyone know who Jordan Henderson was when he came in? I can’t bring in Darren Bent and people like that to the football club. That’s just where we are.
“I think Gary Gardner from Villa is probably the best young central midfield player in the country and we managed to get him in and everyone said what a good player he is.”
Thorn is also thought to be close to signing a left back as both Hussy, who has an ankle injury and Wood, who damaged his groin on Saturday, are both likely to be out of action for a week or two.
Thorn confirmed: “I have also got a couple of solid, experienced players to do so I feel like a kid in a sweet shop for the first time and long may that continue.”