Nathan Thomas in

[griff]

From the News & Star:

Nathan Thomas has become Carlisle United's third signing of the day after joining on loan from Sheffield United for the season.

The attacker has linked up with the Cumbrians after a spell with Notts County.

Thomas had been on a season-long loan with League Two's bottom side.

But the former Hartlepool and Mansfield man has agreed to cut short that move in order to join Carlisle's promotion push.

Described as a "wide striker" by Steven Pressley, the Carlisle boss believes Thomas will prove a good addition to United's attacking options.

"At Hartlepool, where he had a real fruitful spell scoring goals, he played on the right of a front three, cutting in on his left foot and scoring a lot of goals from there," Pressley said.

“That’s kind of the position we have seen him coming in to occupy.

"He’s very quick, he’s direct and he’s got goals. When you play in that position, I think you must contribute goals to the team.

“We’re really pleased to get him on board. Also with the way we play, speed’s a major factor in that. When you recruit you’ve got to recruit players that suit the way you play."

Thomas has made 29 appearances and scored one goal for Notts this campaign.

Although his spell there has not proved a success, with the Meadow Lane club rooted to the foot of the EFL and engulfed in controversy surrounding owner Alan Hardy - who put the club up for sale hours after inadvertently tweeting a photo of his ***** - Pressley hopes he can get the best out of the 24-year-old.

“This season he’s been utilised in a number of positions, I think he’s played in central midfield, wing-back a lot as well, so he hasn’t really played in that position I’ve described as a right-sided striker of a three.

“He’s not had a consistent period of games in the position that I think is his best position.

"We’re really pleased he’s come here. He’s another one that had options and another one that chose to come to Carlisle. That in itself is another big plus for us."

Notts County fans think he’s a waste of time - let’s wait and see:

http://boards.footymad.net/showthread.php?t=38236318

[magpie2k4]

Notts fan here

He is a winger that has no end product

He doesn’t assist goals

He doesn’t score goals

He normally gets a 1on1 each game and hits it straight at the keeper.

He can’t beat a player

He also doesn’t track back or defend

He can’t pass

He can’t head or tackle

He’s rumoured to be a bad influence in the dressing room (obviously I can’t comment on that)

He has been our biggest disappointment, in what is our worst ever season (157 years)

[magpie2k4]

Incidentally, he has played as a winger 99% of the time .. never central midfield or wing back..... that article is nonsense.

He started on the wing or as part of a front three.. then when we eventually dropped him, he would come on as one of those forward positions as well.

He never, ever changed a game.

Back in August when we were losing heavily, he came on and scored a free kick.. that proved to be a fluke because he put everyone since over the bar

You won’t find a single Notts fan disappointed he has gone.