Luke Thomas had one aim in Derby County’s first pre-season match: to make an impression.
It took the 19-year-old just two minutes to catch the eye and 45 minutes of composure and class to firmly mark his stamp in the first pre-season friendly against Notts County.
Thomas, who is revelling in his first senior pre-season, looked like a veteran as he fired the Rams to an early lead before coolly slotting in a second goal to end the first half up 2-0.
With Frank Lampard fielding a completely different squad in the second half, Thomas had done what he set out to do.
“It was a great start, I don’t think I could have asked for a better start with two goals,” he told RamsTV.
“When I saw my name on the team sheet I knew I had to catch the manager’s eye and luckily, I think I have done that.
“I had a lot of nerves in my belly at the time, but to score after such a short time was great for my confidence and settled me down.”
Fellow Derby academy star, Jayden Bogle, also stunned in his first appearance for the first-team. Their chemistry was undeniable as the pair connected to provide an impressive opening goal.
Thomas broke down the play:
“Jayden played the ball down the line and I don’t think I had anywhere else to go but to cut back.
“Luckily, I cut it back and the defender slid in so he is on the floor. That gave me a little bit of an edge to travel a little bit further. I was going to square it but I just got my head up and there was just one thing on my mind, to score.
“I think it was good play to get myself in that position but I didn’t think I was going to score at such a tight angle.”
Although, it almost didn’t happen.
It was a tough spot to get the shot off and the youngster had a quick decision to make. David Nugent was in a perfect position at the other end of the box to easily slot it in but he couldn’t guarantee he could get the ball through the traffic.
He proved to have made the right choice.
“There was a thought going through my mind and just before I was about to shoot I was going to pass,” the midfielder explained.
“I only saw Nugent in there but it wasn’t that obvious to do it, so I took the shot and, luckily, I scored.”
Thomas wasn’t finished yet. The Rams took 18 passes to build up his second goal, the last was a perfectly placed delivery from Craig Bryson.
“It was really good team play,” Thomas said. “I’ve watched it back a few times and there were several passes before we got to the edge of the box and I was the one there to slot it in.
“It was a really good team goal. Bryson was brilliant on Saturday. The runs he made and the ball he put through to me, he put it on a plate for me and I couldn’t really miss.”
Pre-season matches are only just getting started and Thomas is determined to use Saturday’s game as a platform to build on.
Next up is a trip to Mansfield Town on Wednesday night before the Rams return to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday to face Southampton.
“It’s a massive opportunity for me. I had a good game on Saturday, but that’s just the first game,” he added.
“We have a lot more pre-season games and training sessions to come yet. I just need to keep doing everything I can to catch the managers eye and hopefully be in the squad for the first game of the league season.”