Cambridge United playmaker George Thomas enjoying new role after picking up Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for August

Once a player fixated on carving out chances and trying to score goals, George Thomas now finds himself taking pride in clean sheets.

The 26-year-old arrived at the Abbey Stadium in January having spent the majority of his career up until that point operating primarily in the attacking third of the pitch.

But so far this season he has adopted more of a reserved role in the heart of the Cambridge United midfield alongside Paul Digby.

And the U’s fanbase has certainly enjoyed what they have seen, so much so that Thomas was voted the Love Cambridge Player of the Month for August, pipping Jack Stevens, Gassan Ahadme and Fejiri Okenabirhie to the award.

Thomas, who collected his prize at Parker’s Tavern in the city centre earlier this week, is always likely to identify as a creative type of player, yet he is also enjoying the other side of the game as part of a United side that has kept four clean sheets in six Sky Bet League One outings.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed (the new role). When I spoke about it in pre-season I’d only played there a couple of times, but now the season has started I really do feel like I’m starting to understand the role.

“Everyone in the team is working hard for each other and that means it opens up that role for me.

“We’ve kept four clean sheets in six and that’s down to everyone, starting with the forward players. They start the press.

“I’m buzzing off getting clean sheets towards the end of games – it’s a new feeling, I quite like it as well. When we concede chances towards the end of matches I feel that tension and I’m dying to get a clean sheet.

“Maybe I’m not quite throwing myself in the way of things or making lots of blocks, but I’m sure that will come and certainly a few more tackles.

“I’ve always seen myself as a creative and attacking player – and I would still call myself a creative player.

“When I watch the games back and look at my video clips, it makes me think that maybe I could also be more positive in the role that I am in now. I could play forward more often, and a bit quicker as well.

“I still want to be that creative player and also that player that brings a bit of stability when the ball is a bit 50/50. I think I can be the one that gets the ball down and settles things – that’s what I see myself as.

“With this role I’m learning something with every game, especially in terms of putting my foot in a bit more and making more tackles. I’ve got better at that, which I think I showed against Reading. I made some interceptions and hopefully I can get better at that side of the game as well.”

Much of the credit for Thomas’ quick adaptation to life in a deeper position, he insists, should go to Digby.

Just like seasoned campaigners Michael Morrison and Ryan Bennett behind them in defence, the duo are already showing signs of an almost telepathic understanding.

Thomas added: “He’s a great lad. We get on so well off the pitch and then on the pitch it’s been a joy to play alongside him. It helps when you have someone like Diggers next to you. He’s helped me get to grips with the role and also he gives me that licence to get further forward at times and try things.

“It’s not even just about him being the defensive one because he’s the one who got himself forward at Fleetwood and scored the goal.

“We’ve got that balance of when one goes, the other knows what to do and they stay put.

“With every game it’s getting better. It’s not a case of I’m the attacking midfielder and he’s the defensive one, we balance it out well. Hopefully it’s something that we can continue to do.”

As someone that comes across as an upbeat and jokey character, Thomas is feeling right at home within this new-look United squad following a busy summer of comings and goings.

He has already enjoyed a round of golf with some team-mates, and believes that the close-knit bond that has already been formed by the group will serve them well going forward.

“I do like my golf on my days off, it acts a little bit of an active recovery,” he said. “After the Reading match we had a game – Jack Lankester is a very good golfer, but a poor scratch golfer in my opinion!

“Danny Andrew and Jack Stevens, we have a good fourball but I think a few of the other boys who play a little bit less now want to get involved.

“They were all good lads last year but I have to say this year I’ve really enjoyed the dynamic of the group.

“Every single person in that dressing room is a really good lad. Off the pitch we all get along and on the pitch we complement each other really well.

“It’s a really good balance at the moment and I’m really enjoying coming in every day. It’s a cliche, but I am loving coming in and working with this group of players.

“It’s something I’ve been saying for a few weeks – even before these good results – that this group is great and it’s up there with the best bunch I’ve worked with. Even on match days you can see the togetherness, we all work hard for each other.

“Obviously it’s easier to say this when you’ve had a few good results, but right now it’s great. We know there will be ups and downs over the course of a season but this group feels like it will stay together and do well.

“There will be times when we’re not going to reach the performance levels we have been and maybe not getting the results as well.

“Even if we play well we might not get the results we want, we know that.

“But the start we’ve had has given us something to build on. I’m excited as well because it’s been great.

“I think we can get even better, but although it’s another cliche, it really is just one game at a time and take each one as it comes.

“Who knows, in six weeks we may still be doing this well or maybe not quite as well. It’s very much take it as it comes.”

What I like about Cambridge

Q: Have you been able to see much of Cambridge since joining the club? And if not, is there anything you’ve heard about that you’d like to experience?

GT: “I’ve been through the city a few times and it looks lovely, but I haven’t experienced it properly yet. On a sunny day like today it looks amazing.

“I car-share with Morro (Michael Morrison) and he’s a Cambridge legend so maybe he can be my tour guide!

“I’d love to have a go at punting as well, that looks great fun.”

Q: What does it mean to win this award?

GT: “It means a lot. It’s nice to get some recognition for how the season has started. I think as a team we’ve been really, really good.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of it and playing in the games I have been involved in.

“To get the award, it’s a good feeling and from the fans it’s even better because it shows how well they think you’re doing.

“To be honest, I think anyone in the team could have won this. Everyone has been equally as good during the first month. Gassan (Ahadme) and Fejiri (Okenabirhie) up front have been brilliant and scored lots of goal and then me and Diggers (Paul Digby) in midfield, we’ve played an equal role in the way we press and play.

“Little Benno (Liam Bennett) and Big Benno (Ryan Bennett), they’ve been fantastic down that right hand side – literally everyone has played a big part and it’s great to be part of it.”

Cambridge United has teamed up with Cambridge BID to give supporters the chance to vote for their Love Cambridge Player of the Month, supported by the Cambridge Independent. Sponsors Love Cambridge is part of Cambridge BID, a collaboration of 1,200 businesses working together to promote and improve the city of Cambridge.