Thorn heaps praise on his new goalkeepers

01 July 2011 08:37
City boss on his latest signings. Andy Thorn has said he believes that his two new goalkeepers are as good as the departed Kieren Westwood. Murphy, who joined Coventry from Scunthorpe on a free transfer, has been Ireland's number three goalkeeper behind Given and Westwood, but will go into the City squad as their number 1 'keeper. Thorn revealed that when he was a scout he tried to sign Murphy three years ago, but the club ended up signing Westwood instead. Thorn also believes that Chris Dunn, who signed yesterday from Northampton, has  the potential to be as good as Westwood. Both goalkeepers have signed three year deals with Coventry City and Thorn is delighted to have captured them both especially as other clubs have been expressing interest in both of them. Newcastle United had been chasing Dunn along with Portsmouth, but Thorn persuaded him to join Coventry and so he has an excellent young 'keeper as back up for Murphy in case of injury or suspension. Thorn said, “Chris is someone we have watched and liked, and got a hell of a lot of potential. I know for a fact that a Premier League club was interested in him but we have managed to get it done quickly so that is a good coup for us because he could go on to be anything." “He’s got as much potential as Kieren Westwood had when I brought him to the club. He’s 6ft 4 as well, which is a big help. He is a good shot stopper, he takes crosses and kicks it really well, so he will just get better." “He will come in, get his head down and keep learning his trade and I am sure he will be a big asset for us, so it is a really good bit of business getting him on a free transfer.” Thorn then turned his attention to Murphy and he said,  “Joe is a proven Championship keeper who will also be a big asset. He will be No.1 but who knows, if Chris does well." "He is stepping up a couple of leagues and he’s only young in terms of goalkeepers but he’s got absolutely everything and I can’t believe we have nicked him on a free So we will be solid in that department now." “A year and a half ago Joe was ahead of Kieren in the Irish set-up and then he had an injury, but he is a proven, good quality keeper and ideal replacement as we start to build again. So we have got two really good replacements for Kieren who was a really good keeper for us.”  Both goal keepers were out of contract with their previous clubs, but as Dunn is only 23, City will have to pay a development fee to Northampton because of a clause in the Bosman ruling. It is though that the undisclosed fee is based more on sell on clauses  and first team appearances than an up front fee. Thorn concluded by saying, “I am absolutely delighted that we have signed the two boys. The chairman has worked really hard to get this done and I am really pleased." “Like everyone else, Chris is coming here to compete for a place in the first team. We don’t have reserves, everyone has a chance of getting their hands on the jersey and Chris will be no different.” Northampton Town manager Gary Johnson gave his departing goal keeper a glowing reference and said, “He is still very young for a keeper and he has the potential to improve with age and experience." "He has a fantastic attitude, and in the short time I worked with him here, I only saw him do well. He was a real team player who was desperate to succeed for the club." “We saw the type of lad he is after he had the stitches in his eye injury he suffered against Bury. Despite his injury he was desperate to get out and play against Stevenage in a very important game a couple of weeks later and that showed me he had the mental strength you need to succeed. “I am sorry to see him go but he has the opportunity to further his career and make a name for himself in the Championship. I think it is a fair deal for all parties and I wish Chris well at Coventry publicly as I did personally.”  

Source: FOOTYMAD