Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Promotion justifies gamble for Thomas
Tuesday 20th April 2010, 10:20AM BST.
Albion winger Jerome Thomas has claimed promotion to the Premier League has justified his gamble in moving to the Hawthorns.
The former Arsenal trainee signed for the Baggies in the Championship despite interest from several Premier League clubs, including Wolves.
Thomas reckons the club’s return to the top flight proved him right to link up with Roberto Di Matteo’s side.
Albion were the first club to offer him a contract after his injury-hit season with Portsmouth, but had the option of trials with Premier League sides.
He said: “I’m over the moon. I have told people who have asked me that there is nothing like setting a goal and then achieving it. That’s what we did at the start of the season and it was one of the main reasons I came here.
“The play-offs was not an option for me and we’ve got a top-two finish, so I’m happy and proud of the lads.
“It was a risk to drop down a level, especially after experiencing the Championship with Charlton. It’s not a league I want to be in. I get beaten up every game, as you’ve seen. It’s not where I want to be, I want to be at the top level.
“I had to think long and hard about dropping down. The major factors were the gaffer, the facilities here and being one of the favourites to go back up.
“It will be nice to take all this into the top league and prove we deserve to be there and stay there.”
Thomas has helped Albion win promotion while seeing Pompey relegated and reduced to chaos off the field.
The wide man is saddened by his former club’s fate but was pleased to escaped the turmoil at the right time. It’s worked out very well for me in that sense.
“I’m a strong believer in fate. I’m happy it’s all worked out for me. It’s been a long year and the lads have worked hard.
“It’s unfortunate where Portsmouth are now, but I can’t look back I have to look at the future and I’m happy to be back in the Premier League.”
Sponsored Links
UK Sport
Latest Blog — Microsoft Comes to the University of Wolverhampton
Last week Microsoft visited the University of Wolverhampton to give students the chance to develop their own phone apps that could be published on the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Technology blog
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
