Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle | Netherlands)

Not in match day squad as PSV (2nd) win 3-1 at Fortuna Sittard (11th).
Unfortunately Ajax (1st) also keep on winning, and maintain a 6 point gaps on PSV - who will want 2nd as a minimum (UCL qualifying spot). 

Missed the Fortuna game with a niggle apparently.
From this week's Flying Kiwis.
Ryan Thomas: “I am certainly not the best football player at PSV. I know that very well. But I can, however, ensure that the best PSV football players can perform at their best. I certainly have the qualities for that.”

Still out with that niggle it seems.
Not in matchday squad as PSV (2nd) draw 1-1 with Feyenoord (5th).
PSV are 3 points ahead of 3rd placed AZ, with 8 rounds to go.
They play next in a '6 pointer'. 
2nd spot grabs a UCL qualifying spot.

The '6 pointer' unfortunately goes way of AZ, with a 2-0 win.
Thomas still out injured.

PSV and AZ equal on points (55 pts), though at this stage PSV edge the vital 2nd spot (UCL qualifying) on GD. 7 games to go.
Ajax 11 points clear with a game in hand.

Unfortunately injured in training and needs to have surgery on his ankle which will keep him out for the rest of the season

Crap he's having a torrid time there. Do we know what's wrong with his ankle? Let's hope he bounced back! 

newzealandpower

Crap he's having a torrid time there. Do we know what's wrong with his ankle? Let's hope he bounced back! 

PSV made a short statement about the injury (in Dutch) which translated just said: Ryan Thomas will soon have an operation on his ankle.  The midfielder was injured during training.  This operation marks the end of the season for Thomas.

PSV, since being knocked out of the Europa League and KNVB Cup, have just the league to play for, so hopefully he’s fit for next season in which case he’ll only miss their 7 remaining league fixtures. They’re currently in second (though equal on points with AZ in third) with Ajax 11 points ahead with a game in hand, so the team is essentially just playing for Champions League qualification.

Fingers crossed his recovery would (assuming they hold second) allow him to play the qualifiers as their hasn’t been a New Zealander in the Champions League proper since Chris Killen in 2007/08. [edit: forgot about Killen, my bad]

Hope he's ready for the next AWs match in........in.....oh, never mind. 

carlind

newzealandpower

Crap he's having a torrid time there. Do we know what's wrong with his ankle? Let's hope he bounced back! 

PSV made a short statement about the injury (in Dutch) which translated just said: Ryan Thomas will soon have an operation on his ankle.  The midfielder was injured during training.  This operation marks the end of the season for Thomas.

PSV, since being knocked out of the Europa League and KNVB Cup, have just the league to play for, so hopefully he’s fit for next season in which case he’ll only miss their 7 remaining league fixtures. They’re currently in second (though equal on points with AZ in third) with Ajax 11 points ahead with a game in hand, so the team is essentially just playing for Champions League qualification.

Fingers crossed his recovery would (assuming they hold second) allow him to play the qualifiers as their hasn’t been a New Zealander in the Champions League proper since Danny Hay in 2000.

Except for Chris Killen at Celtic...

carlind

newzealandpower

Crap he's having a torrid time there. Do we know what's wrong with his ankle? Let's hope he bounced back! 

PSV made a short statement about the injury (in Dutch) which translated just said: Ryan Thomas will soon have an operation on his ankle.  The midfielder was injured during training.  This operation marks the end of the season for Thomas.

PSV, since being knocked out of the Europa League and KNVB Cup, have just the league to play for, so hopefully he’s fit for next season in which case he’ll only miss their 7 remaining league fixtures. They’re currently in second (though equal on points with AZ in third) with Ajax 11 points ahead with a game in hand, so the team is essentially just playing for Champions League qualification.

Fingers crossed his recovery would (assuming they hold second) allow him to play the qualifiers as their hasn’t been a New Zealander in the Champions League proper since Danny Hay in 2000.

Rusty Dunks

Hope he's ready for the next AWs match in........in.....oh, never mind. 

You would have to think, now very doubtful he will be one of the 3 overage players in Tokyo.

I'm sure PSV will want full control of his rehab, and training/playing load back to full fitness. They seemed to have missed him last few games, form gone downhill a bit.

PSV with a 3-0 win over Heracles (9th).
PSV stay 2nd on GD from AZ.

From this week's Flying Kiwis.

RYAN THOMAS – PSV EINDHOVEN (DUTCH EREDIVISIE)

Well that’s a punch in the gut right there. Thommo was only just back in training and now he’s busted his ankle and needs season-ending surgery. This was all the detail that the PSV website had to offer...

“Ryan Thomas will soon have an operation on his ankle. The midfielder was injured during training. This operation marks the end of the season for Thomas. We wish Ryan a speedy recovery!”

Not sure if this is the same injury that led him to miss the previous three league games or if it’s a flare up of the same thing or perhaps something entirely different. Roger Schmidt had confirmed Thomas was back training with the group ahead of their last game before the international break but you never know. It’s a pretty big setback for Ryan Thomas considering he missed his entire first season with PSV due to injury and even this season it’s felt a bit like whenever he’s gotten a run of games there’s been an injury that followed.  

Regardless, he did appear to establish himself as one of Schmidt’s most trusted midfielders. All up he played 16 Eredivisie matches, starting 11 of them, with one goal to his name and a pair of assists this season. He also featured off the bench in two KNVB Cup games as well as starting four Europa League matches including both R32 knockout legs against Olympiakos (plus two more games in qualifying). Couple of assists there as well.

PSV are already out of the Europa League in devastating fashion.  They were knocked out of the domestic cup by Ajax. And Ajax would appear to be running away with the league title too... although PSV are in the midst of a three-team shootout for second which comes with the only other Champions League qualification ticket – AZ and Vitesse are the other two rivals there and AZ beat PSV just before the international break. PSV won 3-0 against Heracles two days after the Ryan Thomas news to keep them second on goal difference as things stand. Their season finishes in mid-May so although we don’t have a timeframe here we can assume that Thomas is out for at least six weeks. 

We can also probably assume that this means he won’t be in consideration as an overage player for the Olympics, which he’d already hinted he wouldn’t be doing.

PSV with a 2-0 win at VVV, remain 2nd on GD from AZ, in race for UCL qualifying spot.
5 games left.

From this week's Flying Kiwis.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNZ1WYllpUm/?utm_source=ig_embed

PSV with a 1-0 win over Groningen. They go 3 points clear of AZ in the race for 2nd spot.

AZ with a tough trip to runaway leaders Ajax tomorrow 

PSV (2nd) draw 2-2 at home verus Heerenveen (11th).
They are 1 point ahead of AZ in the race for 2nd spot (UCL qualifying slot).
3 games left.
Ajax have already wrapped the title up.

PSV (2nd) with a 2-0 win at Willem II ().
2 games left and PSV still edge AZ (3rd) by a point, for that UCL qualifying spot.

Woud's old club Willem II still in danger of the drop. 1 point above the relegation playoff spot.

PSV (2nd) with a 4-2 win over Thomas's old club PEC Zwolle (13th), have virtually clinched 2nd place and the UCL qualifying spot.

With 1 game left PSV (GD +39) are 3 points ahead of AZ (3rd & GD +29). AZ could only draw 0-0 at Groningen overnight.

So Thomas to have some UCL qualifying games, and maybe UCL proper to look forward to, as he undergoes his rehab.

Elsewhere Willem II are 1 point above the relegation playoff spot, with 1 game left.

PSV's (2nd) spot in UCL qualifying is fully confirmed with 1-1 draw at Utrecht (6th), in their final game. 

AZ (3rd) finished 1 point behind. Ajax won the league, 16 points clear with a +79 GD!

Elsewhere Willem II won, to finish 14th, and above the relegation playoff spot (Emmen 16th).

PSV have drawn Galatasaray, in UCL 2nd qualifying round, home & away tie from 21st July.

Read somewhere that even if Thomas was fit, he was going to make himself unavailable for Tokyo, to concentrate on early season at PSV.

And good news it looks after his surgery, from last week.
https://www.psv.nl/english-psv/news/article/psv-return-for-pre-season-training-on-saturday.htm

Players that attend the first training session on Saturday
Joël Drommel, Vincent Müller, Maxime Delanghe* Kjell Peersman (PSV U21), Olivier Boscagli, Mauro Junior, Marco van Ginkel, Mario Götze, Mohamed Ihattaren, Derrick Luckassen, Noni Madueke, Philipp Max, Armando Obispo, Joël Piroe, Davy Pröpper, André Ramalho, Dante Rigo, Pablo Rosario, Ryan Thomas, Bruma, Yorbe Vertessen, Nick Viergever, Richard Ledezma*, Maxi Romero*, Jeremy Antonisse (PSV U21), Fodé Fofana (PSV U21), Frederik Oppegard (PSV U21), Shurandy Sambo (PSV U21).

From Flying Kiwis.

"Look who’s working his way back from injury, aye? Whether he’s good to go in a couple weeks when PSV plays their Champions League qualifiers against Galatasaray of Turkey we’ll have to wait and see but hopefully he will be – he’s already missed the first preseason friendly as they ease him back in.

This is after Thommo had to sit out the end of last season after undergoing ankle surgery in April. Yet another injury set back for the dude, however he had been getting a sweet run of games before that and word on the street is that the club is hoping to extend his contract as RT enters the final year of his initial deal. Plus he got married the other day, congrats to the fam. Good vibes, man. Good vibes."

This week's Flying Kiwis.

"Ryan Thomas is working his way back from ankle surgery that ended his last season, so when preseason started he was one of a couple fellas not at full participation levels as they eased him back up in. But come the third preseason friendly game, a 0-0 draw against VfL Osnabrück, he was finally ready to make his return with a half-hour cameo off the bench.

We’re still in the phase where they play a different XI each half, substitutes running rampant, so he’s not too far behind. Especially since his first XI status probably depends on whether they sell a couple guys or not (Donyell Malen being heavily linked with Liverpool and Dortmund atm). However the timing’s still pretty handy here as those crucial Champions League qualifiers against Galatasaray begin next week so having another reliable option back in contention is huge for Roger Schmidt, even if he’s only good for short and sharp stints at the moment. Regardless of all that, Thommo’s clearly just chuffed to be back out on the pitch...

How’s it feel to be back, fella? “Ah yeah very good. It was nice, it’s been a long time. The rehab’s been going good so far so yeah it was nice to get the first minutes under the belt.”

Why was it that you didn’t play the first couple friendlies? “Mainly to make sure the ankle was completely calm before I started any games or anything like that, that’s why I started with thirty minutes today to make sure the ankle came off better than what we’d hoped. That was the case so all happy.”

Did you bring the energy you hoped to? “Ah... for about five or ten minutes. That was about it and then the tank was empty. But that’s normal. Gotta wait two or three weeks and then hopefully I’ll be back to full fitness.”

Got a solid 20 minutes off the bench in a comprehensive 5-1 UCL qualifier win against Galatasaray, coming on for highly rated English youngster Noni Madueke. 

He played on the right wing of a 4-2-3-1, so not his typical national team central midfield. Last season PSV played a lot 4-2-2-2 similar to Talay, and Thomas would play either of the DMs or AMs, so shouldn’t be too unusual, though he did play higher up today. Wasn’t his tidiest performance but it’s still early days coming back from his surgery, he’s probably played less than 90 pre-season minutes. 

Former national teammate of Tommy Hemed, Eran Zahavi with a hat trick, and World Cup winner Mario Götze with the other two. Barring a capitulation in Istanbul next week (worth bearing in mind away goals no longer come into equation in UEFA competitions), they should go into the third qualifying round, where they would face one of Shakhtar Donetsk, Benfica, Monaco or the winner of Celtic/Midtjylland.

Not in match day squad as PSV win 2-1 at Galatasaray (7-2 win on aggregate), in UCL qualifiers.

PSV have drawn Danish side Midtjylland, in the next round. Midtjylland winners over Ange Pot's Celtic.

Not in match day squad as PSV win 3-0 over Danish side Midtjylland, in UCL qualifiers 1st leg. Socceroos Awer Mabil with 57 mins for Midtjylland. 2nd leg next week.

Win this tie, and PSV will play winner of Spartak Moscow/Benfica, in playoffs. Win that and they are into the UCL Group Stage proper.

PSV also get their first look at Ajax for new season, this weekend in Dutch Super Cup.

Presume Thomas still building his way back to fitness after his surgery. He may get some game time for PSV Jong side, with the Dutch 2nd tier starting this weekend.

Some interesting comments this week in Flying Kiwis, about where Thomas may fit into PSV's plans re their season ahead. Be great to see a Kiwi feature in the UCL group stage, fingers crossed.

"PSV did what needed doing without him as they beat Galatasaray 2-1 in the away leg thanks to goals from Noni Madueka and Marco van Ginkel. Olivier Boscagli did get a second half red card though which meant he missed the first leg of the subsequent tie against FC Midtjylland of Denmark - who knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out in extra time to advance to that point. That Midtylland game was still too soon for Ryan Thomas to return, however the word is that he is expected to be back for the game against Ajax on the weekend in the Johan Cruyff Shield... which is the Community Shield of Dutch footy. A trophy on the line albeit not a priority one and getting into the Champions League group stage is by far the main target.

Roger Schmidt: “Ryan Thomas has some ankle problems, but nothing serious. We hope he can join us on Saturday”

And that target’s looking good after a comprehensive 3-0 win in the first leg. A thirteen minute blitz between minutes 19-32 saw Noni Madueke, Mario Gotze, and Cody Gakpo all score. Madueke’s was the pick of the bunch with a beautiful curling left-footed strike from the young English winger... who then nearly injured himself scaling the advertising hoardings in his celebration. 

The second half was more wasteful as PSV didn’t quite hammer home their dominance again as they had in the initial 45 but they’re still in a brilliant position heading to Denmark for the second leg. Get through that one (and note that FCM are missing several players after a coronavirus outbreak) and there’s one more round of qualifying before the UCL group stages are a reality. The victors of Spartak Moscow (Russia) vs Benfica (Portugal) will await in that final playoff round for whoever advances.

Meanwhile it’s transfer season at the Dutch club. Donyell Malen completed his move to Dortmund last week for decent coin (rumoured to be around €35m) so there’s your Jadon Sancho replacement right there. Midfielder Pablo Rosario has also left, he’s signed for Nice in France. Plus Mo Ihattaren’s days at PSV seem numbered as his dramas continue. Ihattaren didn’t play a minute in either leg against Galatasaray and after having been a bit of a wonder kid a couple years ago (he’s still only 19 years old), things have changed drastically as his attitude hasn’t impressed manager Roger Schmidt and opportunities to play have been scarce. Wesley Sneijder was talking about it as a pundit recently and he basically said that if Ryan Thomas is playing ahead of you then it’s time to go... bit harsh of him but maybe something got lost in translation.

The final straw for the club appears to have come as Ihatarren had reported sick for the second leg against Galatasaray but then was photographed out with his agent Mino Raiola... yes, that guy. Hence Schmidt has told him he’s no longer to train with the first team, putting him on an individual regime instead."

Not in match day squad as PSV trounce Ajax 4-0, in the Dutch Super Cup (their season starting Community Shield). Ajax were down to 10 men from 40 mins (score 2-0).

Not in match day squad as PSV win 1-0 over Danish side Midtjylland, in UCL qualifiers 2nd leg. 4-0 win on aggregate. 

Socceroos Awer Mabil with 72 mins for Midtjylland. 

PSV will play Benfica (4-0 winners over Spartak Moscow), in the Playoffs, starting in Portugal next week. Win that and they are into the UCL Group Stage proper.

Thomas can almost dream of the Champions League, a lifetime goal no doubt.

Subbed on at 85 mins, as PSV start Eredivisie season with a 2-0 win over
Heracles. Same score when he came on.

PSV have big UCL playoff first leg at Benfica midweek.

Unused sub as PSV lose 1st leg of UCL playoffs 2-1 at Benfica.
So Thomas's dream of Champions League football proper, all comes down to 90 mins at home next week.

A one goal deficit going on to the home leg isn't too bad. Did the champions league get rid of the away goals rule this season?

Fitzy

A one goal deficit going on to the home leg isn't too bad. Did the champions league get rid of the away goals rule this season?

Yipe.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12340830/away-goals-rule-abolished-for-uefa-competitions-from-2021-22-season#:~:text=The%20away%20goals%20rule%20will,aggregate%20over%20the%20two%20matches.

Subbed on at HT (score 2-0) as PSV comfortably beat Cambuur 4-1.

Huge game midweek at home verus Benfica, UCL playoff 2nd leg.

Interesting comments on Thomas playing 2nd half against Cambuur in Flying Kiwis. Huge game tomorrow against Benfica.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/8/24/flying-kiwis-august-24
Thomas played as a second striker along with Yorbe Vertessen... get in where you fit in, pretty much. The instructions were clearly to play a little deeper and try consolidate things with that lead in tact (he eventually ended up in central midfield after a couple more subs with twenty-ish remaining). Thomas got plenty of touches in that second half including a perfect passing success rate, while also drifting out wide to swing in a few crosses. There was one killer through ball from midfield too late on. 

Cambuur did pull a goal back on the break via Alex Bangura in the 66th min but that was against the run of play and PSV weren’t shaken, eventually scoring again in stoppage time through Olivier Boscagli – a thunderbolt of a shot after Thomas’ corner kick had been half-cleared (although the keeper got two big hands to it and should probably have stopped it) – for a comfortable 4-1 win that keeps things rolling ahead of that crucial second leg against Benfica.

Sadly no UCL proper for Thomas. Benfica holds PSV to 0-0 in 2nd leg, for a 2-1 aggregate win in playoffs.

Thomas a 90th min sub. Bugger, bugger!

Incredibly frustrating night for PSV, they needed just the one goal to force extra time, but failed to do so. Benfica were down to 10 men from about the half-hour mark, when a defender got a second yellow, but they managed to hold on to the clean sheet to take them through. Unsurprisingly a bit of frustration and criticism creeping onto manager Roger Schmidt, who will need a much better challenge to Ajax if he wants to stay on.

Second half was essentially defence vs attack, as Benfica were fairly happy to sit in their own box and force PSV to break them down, and they really struggled to do it. There was a lot of passing sideways in front of the Benfica block, and then chipping a ball in to be headed away, and they very rarely got behind the full backs to do anything dangerous. 

Best chance fell to former national teammate of Tommy Hemed, Eran Zahavi who was unmarked at the far post, but could only manage to hit the bar from the cross. Couple other chances in the second half but keeper did well. PSV probably dominated the stats, but I wouldn’t say they were the better team, considering the situation as Jorge Jesus’ team did well to keep them at arm’s length.

Thomas came on for Philip Max at left back, but at that stage it was basically at left wing, as they chucked everyone forward. Picked up a yellow for shoving a guy in an attempt to get the ball to take a quick free kick after Benfica had fouled a PSV player. 

Benfica probably the better team on paper to be fair, they had 131 cap Belgian and Tottenham legend Jan Vertonghen, Premier league winner Nicolas Otamendi, Germany international Julian Weigl, Euros winner Joao Mario, Ukraine international Roman Yaremchuk, and former Premier League winger Adel Taarabt, and managed by 2019 Copa Libertadores winner with Flamengo, Jorge Jesus.

Europa League again for Thomas, better chance to go further, but of course not the same prestige as the Champions League. Draw will be Friday this week.