Penalty king Thomas happy to be back in first-team picture
ALTHOUGH he won’t read deeply into it, Conor Thomas scored two important penalties which contributed to Cheltenham Town progressing on two fronts, writes Joe Shepherd
He was the first to score in the 7-6 penalty shootout win in the Checkatrade Trophy match against Newport last Tuesday as the Robins sealed their place in the last 16 of the competition.
But that spot-kick couldn’t have topped Thomas’ last-minute winner in Saturday’s game against Grimsby Town and having conceded a late goal to draw against Mansfield Town in November, the midfielder was delighted with his side’s change in fortune.
“The game on Tuesday against Newport, unfortunately they (penalties) don’t count on your goal tally, but it was nice to get the win on Saturday - which was important for the boys,” said the 25-year-old.
“Against Mansfield we conceded late on, so it was nice to be on the other end of it. It’s three points, but the way it happened in the last couple of minutes does make it sweeter.”
Saturday’s win meant that Cheltenham had won three consecutive league games at home for the first time this season.
Manager Michael Duff has clearly started to build foundations at the Jonny-rocks Stadium, with his side unbeaten in seven home matches in all competitions.
However, Cheltenham did have to wait 18 games before their first league win at home and although confidence was low going into matches, Thomas was delighted to find that winning feeling.
“Momentum’s a big thing so it can get to a point where when you lose, then lose and you’re getting a bit edgy for a win but it’s nice to get a win and hopefully we can get that feeling a lot more this season.”
Prior to the Checkatrade game against Arsenal Under-21s at the end of October, the former Coventry City player hadn’t made an appearance for two months and although Thomas thankfully overcame this hurdle to force his way back into the mix, it didn’t come without its difficulties.
“It was tough when he (Duff) came in I was totally out of the picture,” said Thomas.
“I had to take it day by day; training well, doing everything right off the pitch, biding my time and letting my football do the talking.
“Eventually I spoke to him and he said you’re going in the right direction. It was just hard work every day, and you’ve got to stay mentally strong so thankfully I got back in the mix.”
There’s no doubting that Duff’s preferred 3-5-2 system has benefited, not just Thomas’s chances, but the likes of Ben Tozer, Chris Clements and Alex Addai who’ve also given the Robins boss something to think about - and it appears the feeling is mutual with Thomas revealing the expectations he’s been set under Duff’s guidance.
“If you look at the players who we’ve got it does fit in with their positions instead of putting people where they’re not comfortable,” he said. But I think with the more games we play in it we’re getting more familiar.
“I think he says it how it is, and you know where the land lies with him. We as players know what’s expected of us and it’s good to have a clear idea of your role and responsibility.”
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