Source: FOOTYMAD
City's new striker bags hat trick in training
McDonald eager to start Coventry City only new signing on the transfer deadline day striker Cody McDonald proved to his team mates why Andy Thorn bought him by scoring a hat trick in his first training session with the Sky Blues. Now McDonald is eager for the next game, at home to Derby County in a week's time and is working hard to prove his ability and to be in with a chance of being selected to play. The 25 year old, 5' 10" striker signed for Coventry from Norwich City late on on the last day of the summer transfer window on a three year deal. Andy Thorn later revealed he had been after McDonald for some time. McDonald, speaking after his first training session with his new team said, "I did well to be fair." He was on loan at League Two outfit Gillighmam last season where he scored 26 goals, but when he returned to his parent club Norwich, he was told he was not part of Paul Lambert's plans and would be allowed to leave. McDonald admitted, "The last couple of months have not been the greatest but I came in yesterday and there was a great tempo in training and the lads made me feel really welcome, and for my first one I think it went really well." "It has been a bit difficult because the gaffer at Norwich has got a massive squad and a massive job to do. I got told at the end of last season that it was time for me to move on and he felt it wasn't right for me to be in and around the squad and I have got no problem with that." "I wish this had got sorted a little bit sooner but I am really happy that it has now. It's a great opportunity for me and I just can't wait to get going." "I have come here to play games and it's my aim to be involved against Derby next week. There are a few other strikers there fighting for a place and it's great competition for the club." He was aware that Andy Thorn was interested in him, but then interest seemed to wane only to be resurrected again last Tuesday. McDonald explained, "I knew about Coventry's interest but then it went off a bit and then it cropped up again on Tuesday night when I got a phone call saying I was going to Coventry the next day, which was nice and it makes you feel good when you hear a manager say that, and thankfully we got it all sorted and now I just want to move on and do some good things this season." He was brought in to score the goals that the departed Marlon King used to score and judging by the the dearth of goals that Coventry have scored this season, just two in the league, both scored by Lukas Jutkiewicz, he has big boots to fill, but he is not bothered by the pressure. He said, "I suppose people will be looking to me for goals but I just take each game as it comes and if you don't start performing it is no-one else's fault, you have to start looking at yourself, but I am confident in my own ability and hopefully things will work out fine and we'll have a great season." "I have made eight appearances in the Championship when I first signed for Norwich but only started one game, which was great for me at the time coming from non-league." "It is a big step up from League Two but like I say, I am confident and hopefully things will work out fine." McDonald has earned a reputation for working hard on the pitch, a work ethic learnt from his time working as a scaffolder on the London Underground and from his part time football career playing for Dartford, where he once scored 19 goals in 20 games. McDonald was asked if working full time and playing part time had made him hungry for success, he said: "Definitely, because I don't want to go back to doing that. That's no disrespect to scaffolders but a footballer's life is great and something that doesn't last forever, so I just want to hold on to it for as long as I can." "One thing is I will never give up. I like to get in behind defenders and I'll skim around the box ready to pounce on anything. I surprised myself with my headers last year but it is certainly a side of my game that has improved since I turned professional and hopefully I will score a few more here." "If a striker is working hard by closing down and chasing back then it makes it easier for the rest of the team. I have always done that and I am not going to change that now. I haven't played for a bit so I maybe need to work on my fitness and sharpness, but that will come." Even before he arrived in Coventry, McDonald had been impressed with the style of football Andy Thorn had his side playing and since his arrival he has been impressed with the facilities and the Ricoh Arena. He said, "When I met the gaffer he told me how he likes to play, getting the ball down so being part of a team playing attractive football certainly attracted me, but it was bit of a no brainer even before I spoke to him because it is such a big club, but the type of football is a massive added bonus."
