‘Really impressed’: National boss lauds 22-year-old for bouncing back after West Ham let him go

Follow us on Google Discover

Rob Page has praised Sorba Thomas for how he has ‘bounced back’ after being released by West Ham, as he told his press conference.

The 22-year-old has earned his maiden call for Wales and Page has shared that he has been ‘really impressed’ by the player.

When Thomas was let go by West Ham at the age of 16, it would have been difficult for the flying winger to leave his local club.

Thomas then went from the bright lights of the Premier League and dropped all the way down to Non-League and was snapped up by Boreham Wood.

In January, he was snapped up by Championship side Huddersfield Town and that road has now led him to International recognition.

Page praised the mentality Thomas has shown since being released by the Hammers as a teenager and why he has picked him.

“I have watched him play a few times now and I have been really impressed,” said Page.

“He has shown great attitude. He has been released from West Ham, and as any young boy, you would be devastated by being released by a Premiership club.

“But he has shown great character to go and play non-league football and bounce back again. So, first and foremost, you can see that he has got a great attitude and outlook to keep himself positive.

“He deserved his move. He dipped, in and out of the Championship, at the back end of last season. But he’s hit the ground running this season. I have seen him, two or three times and been really impressed.”

Only a small percentage of youngsters make the top grade and a large proportion are released into the wilderness to fend for themselves. 

They will go from receiving VIP treatment by those from the top of the pyramid to then being in economy class if they are let go.

Thomas would have been no different, but he has clearly shown that he has something about him by bouncing back in such a fashion.

After ten Championship games, Huddersfield are sitting one place outside of the play-off places and Thomas has supplied an impress six assists during that period.