Gamble pays off for JT

21 April 2010 17:15
Decision to join Albion delights winger Despite being battered and bruised for the majority of the season Jerome Thomas insists his decision to join the Baggies has been justified.  The former Arsenal, Charlton and Portsmouth winger joined on a free transfer after his release from Pompey in the summer and played a significant part in helping Roberto Di Matteo’s men seal an immediate return to the Premier League. After trials with a number of Premier League clubs the flying winger decided to sign for recently relegated Albion despite experiencing the nature of the Championship football with Charlton Athletic.  Thomas, who arrived after pre-season training, has managed to make 22 starts for the Stripes and five appearances from the bench smashing seven goals in the process.  But he admits he’ll be glad to see the back of the Championship after a tough season facing no-nonsense opposition. "I'm over the moon," said Thomas. "I've said to people who've asked me '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. "I said play-offs was not an option and we've got a top-two finish - I'm happy and proud of the lads. "It was a risk to drop down a level, especially after experiencing a Championship season 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. "It's worked out very well for me. "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."

Source: FOOTYMAD