Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Thomas start leaves Jalal fearing for his place
Cherries' star stopper Shwan Jalal is bracing himself for a serious challenge to his crown from emerging talent Dan Thomas.[LNB] Jalal was a mainstay of Cherries' promotion and played his part as Eddie Howe's men ended the season with one of the meanest defences in the country.[LNB] He made 44 league starts and kept no fewer than 19 clean sheets, with a series of impressive displays between the sticks seeing him concede only 39 goals.[LNB] But having already lost his place once under Howe, Jalal knows there will be no room for complacency when the battle for the number one berth resumes next season.[LNB] Teenager Thomas, who made four appearances last season, will be Jalal's sparring partner after successfully graduating from the club's youth ranks.[LNB] Jalal told the Daily Echo: It was a whirlwind season for Dan. I don't think he would mind admitting that he took a bit of time to find his feet and he must have found it a little intimidating to start with.[LNB] Eventually though, it clicked that it was an opportunity of a lifetime. I've always said to him that I would have killed for this when I was his age. I was a third-year scholar at Spurs and was nowhere near the first team.[LNB] For his age, he is an outstanding keeper and, if you look at a lot of other keepers of his age, I don't think they can touch him. I think he's got a lot of potential and to have someone like him behind you is all the motivation you need to push yourself on.[LNB] Thomas, who turned 18 in September, was catapulted into the first-team squad following the departure of back-up goalkeeper Ryan Pryce.[LNB] The former Portchester School pupil played his youth football for Redhill Rangers and has flourished under the tutelage of Cherries goalkeeper coach Neil Moss and Jalal.[LNB] If you're good enough, you're old enough, said Jalal. I would never take my place for granted and I know Dan is breathing down my neck. Every place is up for grabs and, if you don't perform, somebody else will be given a chance. Every time Dan had his chance last season, he performed exceptionally well.[LNB] Eddie left me out of the side when he first came in and it did me the world of good. It gave me a chance to step back and re-evaluate things. These things are thrown up to challenge you and you can either sink or swim.[LNB] A lot of keepers would give everything to swap places with Dan.[LNB] I am expecting him to come back for pre-season and be challenging me for the shirt.[LNB]
