George Thomason is ready to keep playing his part in the Wanderers’ engine room after the latest midfield masterclass.
Thomason started his first League One game of the season to help the Whites beat Charlton Athletic last Saturday.
The 21-year-old produced a stand-out performance alongside the ever-consistent MJ Williams as he followed up a successful return to action against Crewe in the Papa Johns Trophy on the back of a recent three-game ban.
And while the number of midfield options open to manager Ian Evatt means the Whites’ starting line-up is likely to keep changing, Thomason has shown he’s perfectly placed to answer the call.
“Over the past year when I’ve not been involved as much within the games, I’ve looked at myself to see where I can improve off the pitch,” he said.
“And on top of that, the manager and his staff have been really good with me to improve me dramatically on the pitch as well.
“I’ve just tried to take in all the information and work on myself and come back ready and fit and raring to go when called upon.
“Every time I play, I enjoy it. That’s my aim, as it is for every single footballer.
“They want to play as much as a I can. I’ve mentioned it before. It’s a very competitive position I’m in in the midfield and each one of us brings a different type of game to that midfield.
“But as long as we’re pushing each other, it can only benefit the whole team and not just myself.”
Wanderers are blessed with a formidable midfield unit which Evatt can tweak according to the opposition.
And the boss will soon have another candidate pushing for a place with Josh Sheehan making a welcome return from his long-term injury absence in the Trophy win over Crewe.
“It was really competitive before Josh was fit again and, again, he adds something different with his range of passing and how nimble he is and how he travels with the ball,” added Thomason, who made his 50th appearance for the club in Wanderers’ opening group game against the Railwaymen.
“I’m sure once he’s fully up to speed and back into the mix of things it will only make myself and the other midfielders lift our performances even more.
“That’s what we’re doing. We’re pushing each other to be in that starting XI.”
Kyle Dempsey and Aaron Morley – previously an ever-present in the league this season – both came off the bench against Charlton as Evatt’s men bounced back from successive league losses to wrap up a third home league win of the campaign.
They will also be in the midfield mix for Saturday’s trip to Cheltenham Town as Wanderers face two away games in four days with a visit to MK Dons to follow.
And whoever gets the nod to start, Thomason just wants another win to keep the Whites on a roll and within striking distance of an early top-six place.
“I was happy with my own performance (last Saurday) but it was really important for us to bounce back after the two league defeats,” he added.
“Saturday was a great win but it’s all about backing it up now. As cliched as it is, you’ve got to find some consistency to get ourselves to the top end of the division.
“We took in some real positive momentum from the game against Crewe and three goals and three points made it a well-rounded day.
“I think generally, so far, during the league the performances have been good. We might not necessarily have picked up as many points as we would have liked but we’re back on the train and we want to make sure we continue that on Saturday.
“We’ve got two away games now on the bounce and consistency is key to climbing the league.
“Home form should really take care of itself, with the fans and the style of play and how well we play.
“If we want climb the ladder and be right up there at the end of the season it’s the away form we’ve got to pick up and that starts Saturday.”