Josh Windass makes Ballon d’Or claim for Wrexham teammate George Thomason. Thomason won the MOTM after bagging two assists and a penalty during Wrexham’s 5-3 win over Sheffield United.
It definitely doesn’t feel like it, but it’s been over a week since George Dobson dropped his ugly Championship verdict. Well, ugliness is just its nature, as the quote itself ages like fine wine day by day in the second division.
If not for it, probably no one would’ve expected the turnaround we witnessed last night. Not just for how the Dragons clinched back a memorable win, but the way a single masterclass has changed the opinions about boss Phil Parkinson.
Starting off with myself, I think all Wrexham fans owe an apology letter to Parky. Agreed, his defensive game felt shaky in the first half, but you’ve got to credit him for the impeccable records Wrexham made with the win.
For the game that was suspected to be the club’s worst, Parkinson turned their shallow squad depth into their biggest strength with a single bold change.
Which bet? Assigning a central midfielder, George Thomason, the responsibility of the left wing, and smiling at the touchline, knowing what’s gonna happen.
Thomason’s masterclass earns him Ballon d’Or shouts
Unequivocally, with the club’s conventional wing-backs sidelined and McClean suspended, the LWB decision ought to be Parky’s biggest headache going into the game. Yet, what people witnessed was a makeshift Thomason spamming cross after cross in Sheffield’s box, as if he had been training for this position his whole life.
As early as the 9th minute, Thomason delivered a sublime cross that, seeing Windass’ touch, ended up as an own goal. Well, that marked the beginning of the 24-year-old’s fest as he finished with contributing to 3 other goals, too.
In the 28th minute, Thomason pinpointedly found Moore, who headed it to make 2-3 for Wrexham. That was followed by him assisting Ryan Longman for the equaliser before he won the penalty that Windass precisely converted to seal the game for Wrexham.
Finishing the evening with 2 assists and an impeccable attacking display, Thomason won the MOTM for Wrexham. But his bigger trophy must’ve come off-field as teammate Josh Windass lauded him with even bigger praise.
Captioning the memorable 5-3 Boxing Day win, Windass wrote on IG: “G+A on a boxing day special 🤌🏻 Kieff at it again, and @georgethomason15 balon’dor”
Being vouched for the Ballon d’Or remains a symbol of individual excellence, and earning it with an EFL display says for Thomason’s masterclass.
Still, even Thomason knows Windass might’ve just flattered him up with such a shout, given it practically remains impossible for a Championship player to win the biggest award in football. Yet, for a talented individual like Thomason, it might be a possibility given how rapidly he’s improving.
Is Thomason the wing-back signing Wrexham targets?
Track back a day, and you’d find headlines suggesting how a wing-back signing could unlock Wrexham’s success. And perfectly so, for the club’s struggles have been well-documented with Kabore & Cacace on the sidelines.
Fast-forward a day, and after Thomason’s match-winning display, all such issues seem to have dried up. Which follows the question, is he the wing-back Wrexham needs?
Honestly, a straightforward yes or no feels tricky, but Thomason’s case is definitely interesting to consider.
That’s because, having spent most of his Wrexham days as an attacking option, the 24-year-old’s not new to an advanced role. Agreed, a sudden transition from a central position to being a wing-back feels rushed, but it may be worth what he can offer.
Delivering, not 1, not 2… but 3 crosses that ended up adding to Wrexham’s scoresheet, Thomason is arguably one of the most underrated crossers at the club.
Noting the downside, while Thomason is too good at attacks, his defensive ability to track back remains in doubt. Time and again, Sheffield’s counters had him helpless, leaving the back three quite exposed and vulnerable.
Overall, the choice to employ Thomason as an LWB should be a gradual progression rather than an immediate one. With McClean out for a couple more games and Cacace not yet fit to start, the 24-year-old has quite some time to make the new role his own.
If this experiment works, Wrexham can happily live with George Thomason being the wing-back signing they wanted. Either way, there’s negligible downside, and the player could return to his central role as and when Parky demands.
