NOMADIC striker Wes Thomas wants to draw a line under a turbulent 12 months in his Cherries career and says he is desperate for a “fresh start” under Eddie Howe.
Thomas appeared to be heading out of Dean Court after failing to hold down a regular place last season and serving no fewer than three different clubs on loan.
The 25-year-old, dropped by former boss Paul Groves after starting three of the club’s first four games, spent time with Portsmouth in League One and in the Championship with Blackpool and Birmingham.
And although Howe welcomed him back following his appointment in October, comments attributed to Thomas suggested the Londoner was keen to ply his trade elsewhere.
However, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Thomas, who is settled in Alum Chine with partner Holly and two-year-old son Jordan, says he is hoping to have the slate wiped clean with Cherries.
“A lot of what I said was misinterpreted,” said Thomas. “People said I didn’t care about the club and that I thought I was better than the club. At no stage did I ever say anything like that. All I said was that I wanted to play football and, at the time, I wasn’t playing here.
“It was difficult for me last season. I wasn’t in the previous manager’s plans and, for me, it was all about playing. I went on loan and did well because it gave me an opportunity to play. That is all I am asking for here and I have spoken with the manager about it.
“I have told him I am fully committed to the club and just want to prove to him that I want to play for his team. It is a great team and I am willing to work hard for him.
“I enjoyed my time at the clubs I played for last season but I am fully focused on helping Bournemouth. I want to prove to everyone that I am committed to the club and will give my all.”
Signed permanently by Lee Bradbury in January 2012 following a loan spell from Crawley, Thomas made a flying start by netting 10 times in his first 18 league games for Cherries before the goals started to dry up.
Despite his problems with Cherries last season, Thomas hit three goals in nine appearances in the Championship for Blackpool and also bagged three in 11 for Birmingham in the second flight.
Thomas added: “For me, it is about trying to rediscover those displays from when I first came here. I want to get my head down, work hard in training and get back into the manager’s plans. I know it won’t be easy because there is a lot of quality in the squad but I am up for the challenge.
“There were positives and negatives for me last season. I didn’t really know where I was going to end up but I managed to play games in the Championship and scored a few goals. I am confident I could do it again this season.
“I have never really shown the manager what I can do because of where I have been. Unless he says I am not in his plans, I want to fight for a place.
“I know I need to get the fans onside as well and am determined to do that by playing well and scoring goals.”
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