Thorn sacking: First thoughts

Andy Thorn`s sacking as Coventry City manager came 24 hours after his side lost a two-goal lead against Bury to make it three consecutive draws at the beginning of the League One season.

What was noticeable on Saturday was that Richard Shaw and Lee Carsley (in the second half after taking a watching brief at the back of the stand for the first 45 minutes) did the majority of the touchline talking. If (and we don`t know) the duo also do the main work with the players on the training field then perhaps those making this decision felt that three ‘managers` was too many and that, with Shaw and Carsley being respected ex-players Thorn was the most expendable.

Certainly the sacking of a manager usually sparks off speculation about who will come in but with City being as cash-strapped as they are and having two senior figures already on the payroll it is hard to see beyond a Shaw/Carsley partnership until the end of the season.

‘promotion’

The decision is hard on Thorn in many respects. He will be left to point to two big ‘what ifs?` The first is what would have happened had he been able to keep Marlon King and replace the other departed players from the summer of 2011 with new faces. The second is will the players he signed this summer be good enough to get promotion at the first time of asking.

His time at the club will be more warmly remembered than a record of 9 wins from 51 games in permanent charge would suggest and his optimistic outlook and faith in his players were never far from the surface despite the numerous problems he had to deal with.

But he did have a full season in charge, a luxury not afforded to the likes of Eric Black, Iain Dowie or Aidy Boothroyd in recent times and, whether or not people like the decision, those making it cannot be accused of indecisiveness.