Winger hopes Baggies can extend second-half form against Villa into tough trio of games
JEROME Thomas hopes Albion can carry the momentum of their pulsating second-half comeback against Villa into the next trio of games against teams from the Barclays Premier League’s top seven.The Baggies winger has returned from his loan spell at Leeds rejuvenated and his introduction as a 36th-minute substitute in the derby played a part in cancelling out a two-goal deficit.
He is now hoping he can help Steve Clarke’s men get back to winning ways, with trips to Everton and Liverpool sandwiching a home clash with Tottenham.
“We won't always get our way and it's about the end result,” said Thomas.
“We showed a lot of character to come back from 2-0 down on Saturday - it felt like a victory and we have to take that on.
“We have to go to places now where we're not expected to get points and try to pick points up.
“Our targets haven’t changed; 34 points wasn't a target, it was 40.
“We need to reach that and then aim at getting more points than last season.
“After that we need to look at finishing in the top eight or top six.”
The former Charlton man is hoping the 11-day break between games will now give everyone chance to take stock and allow injuries to heal.
“We've had a run of poor form,” added Thomas.
“You have to factor in the injuries we've had here.
“A combination of things have impacted on us.
“Even for Steve Clarke, we have to remember it's a learning curve for him - it's his first managerial experience, so he's learning as he goes.
“Since he's been here I've pretty much agreed with everything he's said and done.
“I'm very much on board with what he's done, everything he's said, from the training regime, to the pre-match meetings, to the team-talk, to the post-match talks - it's all been spot on.
“We have got some young players who have come in and are learning, and we've not had the rub of the green over the last few games.”