From this week's Flying Kiwis. Thomas playing 10 at PSV, may not be a long term move.
"Plus here’s PSV’s caretaker manager Ernst Faber talking about the decision to put Thomas into that number ten role, that shadow striker role as Thommo calls it... including how he struggled defending energetic players like Thomas back when he was playing and also how Guus Hiddink played a role in the decision. Apparently it’s still viewed mostly as a temporary fix for the club. The idea is presumably that after this season they’ll sign a more natural player for that role and Thomas will go back to being a deeper midfielder where he still says he prefers to be (although he’s not complaining – he’s happy to play anywhere after such a long absence).
Thomas mentions a bit about how Hiddink’s role unfolds at the club in that Fox Sports interview too, with Old Guus apparently encouraging him to relax and trust his natural game as he saw the fella being a bit too eager as he tried to get back after that injury.
EF: “Such a mobile player who then pops up again in the rush hour and then again in midfield. When do you cover and when do you not? I used to struggle with that as a defender. You discuss that within your staff, you talk about it with Guus Hiddink in his role as advisor. Then you take the plunge. What did Ryan think of it? He didn't have time to say yes or no.”
Quality content."