Rovers eager to see more from wing threat Thomas
KEVIN Maher believes Luke Thomas showed what he is capable of in a Bristol Rovers shirt on Wendesday night, but the first-team coach has demanded more from the winger.
Thomas was Rovers’ outstanding performer in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy at the Mem, scoring the opening goal with a curling leftfooted strike from 20 yards.
An unfortunate Niall Lovelock own goal and Lewis Baker’s finish from a set-piece routine just after half time turned the game on its head and Thomas was the man in a quartered shirt most likely to rescue a result before being taken off with more important fixtures in mind.
The 22-year-old’s performance followed an impressive cameo on Saturday which featured two excellent assists, and he will certainly be in starting contention for tomorrow’s League Two trip to Bradford City.
Joey Barton and his coaches were duly impressed with Thomas’ efforts on Wednesday but Maher, handling media duties for the evening, said Rovers need more from the bleach-blond winger.
“The pleasing thing is that Luke
Thomas got through and you can see what he’s capable of with his goal,” Maher said.
“And then moments in the second half when he’s cutting inside, you’re thinking here we go. That’s what you want from him all the time, every time he gets the ball we want him to be positive.
“He’s got to realise what a player he can be when he’s positive and as soon as he turns and gets on the front foot and starts getting at people.
“He’s going to be a massive player for us, but we need more of it from him.”
Thomas joined Rovers with big expectations from the coaching staff and supporters alike, having played much of his football for Barnsley at a higher level.
But he was ordered to undergo an individual fitness programme by Barton after a slow start to the season.
An ankle injury ruled him out for a further two weeks before the former Coventry City and Derby County man returned to action last weekend, and the Gas are pleased by the way he has responded.
“You can see from tonight what he’s capable of but we still need him to give us more,” Maher added.
“We want him in the team but that’s got to come from him as well.
“But everyone is really pleased with how he’s responded and you know he’s worked hard and hopefully he’s going to grab a chance when it does come.”
Meanwhile, former Rovers midfielder Josh Barrett has signed a two-year contract with National League Kings Lynn having had the final 10 months of his deal at Rovers terminated at the start of September.
Barrett joined the Gas in January 2020 having failed to make the
breakthrough at Championship Reading despite being earmarked as one of the Royals’ most exciting young talents.
Rovers was seen to be a fresh start for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international but he slipped into a cycle of niggling injuries coupled with concerns from a succession of coaches over fitness.
That was against the backdrop of Barrett’s own unhappiness in Bristol and with his profession, with the 23-year-old now hoping a move to non-league can reignite not only his career but also his passion for the game. Barrett wrote on Twitter. “I fell out of love with my biggest passion the last two years. But I’m ready to get fit and show what I can do. Look forward to seeing you all soon.”
Kings Lynn, managed by former Norwich City defender Ian Culverhouse, are 19th in the National League. Gas forward Zain Walker has also spent the last month on loan at The Walks.