Spirit in the Sky
Posted on: Mon 09 Jul 2007
New City defender Arjan De Zeeuw believes the Sky Blues' team spirit can play a major role in 2007/08.
The experienced Dutchman, who arrived on a free transfer after leaving Wigan Athletic recently, boasts promotion medals with Barnsley and Portsmouth during a distinguished career.
And he admits to being impressed with the positive mood flying around the dressing room.
"All the players have really tried to make the new boys welcome and that's a really good thing," De Zeeuw told Sky Blues World.
"Everybody is not afraid of speaking their minds and there's a really good spirit.
"You can sense something is about to take off here. The team morale is as good as I've seen in my career and there is definitely a desire and hunger around the place to get back into the Premiership."
The 37-year-old is convinced that Iain Dowie is the man to take the club forward and revealed the City boss played an integral part in his decision to sign a one-year deal at the Ricoh Arena.
"It took me a while to decide where I wanted to go but once I spoke to Iain personally it was made a lot easier.
"I like the way he approaches things - he's very direct, very personal and really enthusiastic - even in the first week of training its clear to see how well he wants to do here.
"My ex-manager Paul Jewell at Wigan rang me to say he'd spoken to Iain Dowie and that he'd passed on my phone number. He said he was a really nice chap and a good manager so that put him in good stead anyway.
"For me personally, it's a really important thing to have a good understanding with the manager and I believe under Iain this club can go far."
2007/08 will mark De Zeeuw's 13th campaign in England since his journey from his native Holland began with a move to Barnsley from lower league outfit Telstar in 1995.
But he says he's eager as ever and determined to prove himself in a sky blue shirt and hopes to pass on his vast experience to the younger players at the club.
He added: "I'm a player who always gives nothing less than 100% and hopefully I can bring a bit of leadership and experience to the side.
There a lot of young, talented players at this club so you need a couple of older heads to keep it together and hopefully I can be one of them."
You can see the interview with Arjan De Zeeuw on Sky Blues World. Click HERE to find out more?
The experienced Dutchman, who arrived on a free transfer after leaving Wigan Athletic recently, boasts promotion medals with Barnsley and Portsmouth during a distinguished career.
And he admits to being impressed with the positive mood flying around the dressing room.
"All the players have really tried to make the new boys welcome and that's a really good thing," De Zeeuw told Sky Blues World.
"Everybody is not afraid of speaking their minds and there's a really good spirit.
"You can sense something is about to take off here. The team morale is as good as I've seen in my career and there is definitely a desire and hunger around the place to get back into the Premiership."
The 37-year-old is convinced that Iain Dowie is the man to take the club forward and revealed the City boss played an integral part in his decision to sign a one-year deal at the Ricoh Arena.
"It took me a while to decide where I wanted to go but once I spoke to Iain personally it was made a lot easier.
"I like the way he approaches things - he's very direct, very personal and really enthusiastic - even in the first week of training its clear to see how well he wants to do here.
"My ex-manager Paul Jewell at Wigan rang me to say he'd spoken to Iain Dowie and that he'd passed on my phone number. He said he was a really nice chap and a good manager so that put him in good stead anyway.
"For me personally, it's a really important thing to have a good understanding with the manager and I believe under Iain this club can go far."
2007/08 will mark De Zeeuw's 13th campaign in England since his journey from his native Holland began with a move to Barnsley from lower league outfit Telstar in 1995.
But he says he's eager as ever and determined to prove himself in a sky blue shirt and hopes to pass on his vast experience to the younger players at the club.
He added: "I'm a player who always gives nothing less than 100% and hopefully I can bring a bit of leadership and experience to the side.
There a lot of young, talented players at this club so you need a couple of older heads to keep it together and hopefully I can be one of them."
You can see the interview with Arjan De Zeeuw on Sky Blues World. Click HERE to find out more?
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