Jay Emmanuel-Thomas: Delighted with a run of games but I deserved to be dropped
JAY Emmanuel-Thomas has backed Paul Jewell’s decision to drop him for Monday’s 2-1 home defeat by Leicester City.
JET’s impressive run of 20 consecutive starts was ended by Jewell as one of four changes made by the Blues boss.
But Emmanuel-Thomas admitted: “I needed a break. I was looking a bit jaded in my last game (against Derby on Saturday) so I think I was due a rest.
“The manager pulled me to one side and told me I was looking a bit tired, but that he hoped a break would do me good.
“I am looking to get back flying and getting involved in the games again, starting with Palace tomorrow.”
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After struggling to convince his manager and fans alike during a largely underwhelming first four months at Portman Road, the mercurial Emmanuel-Thomas has been one of the Blues’ best performers in the second half of the season.
He said: “It is a great feeling to have played so many consecutive games. When you are on loan somewhere, you don’t get to play 20 games.
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“I am very proud to have done that and hopefully I can do it for even longer next season.”
Despite three loan spells in the second tier, the former Arsenal man needed time to adapt to playing in the Championship full-time.
And asked what he has learnt about the gruelling league, he explained: “There are a lot more games than what you think.
“Every team seems to have their own little strategy – some teams have a target man, some teams work off counter-attack, some use their wide-men heavily.
“In the Premier League, a lot of teams just put a heavy emphasis on just passing the ball.”
Emmanuel-Thomas could well go straight back into the starting line-up for tomorrow’s trip to Crystal Palace after Josh Carson took his place on Bank Holiday Monday.
