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.”
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.
