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Most youngsters spend their 23rd birthday celebrating but for George Thomason, his mind was firmly on the football.
The midfielder wouldn’t want it any other way as he aims to continue his good form and help Wanderers in their promotion push.
“I think football has always been massive part of my life really – training, playing and watching games at home,” he told The Bolton News.
“I am a fan as well as a player, but you have got to find that right balance of switching off.
“When you come home, you speak to your family about it, but I have also got a good group of friends who know how to take your mind off things if you need to switch off.
“When it is such a hectic schedule, you are fully focused and full steam ahead really.”
The youngster’s performance against Luton in midweek was particularly impressive, making a positive impact at both ends of the pitch.
When asked about his good recent performances, Thomason replied: “Ultimately, if you are playing well on the pitch it usually means that the team is playing well as a collective. It usually goes hand-in-hand.
“Obviously, we have got a couple of games in hand on other teams in the division but it doesn’t mean anything unless we win those matches. But we are in good shape, we are playing well as a team.”
Coming up against ex-Everton and England man Ross Barkley was arguably the biggest test Thomason has faced so far in his short career, but one he passed with flying colours.
“He is so technically gifted and has been an elite footballer for such a long time at the highest level,” said the midfield general.
“Being one-v-one against him and seeing how he manipulates the ball and his own body to move opposition players around is really high-level stuff.
“If I can take that sort of thing from his game and add it to mine, it is only going to allow me to become a better player.”
Attention now turns to Leyton Orient as Ian Evatt’s men aim to keep the pressure on the sides above them in the League One table.
“It is similar to the two games against Luton in quick succession,” Thomason explained. “We probably had more of an idea what we were coming up against because they were so close together.
“In terms of the Leyton Orient game, they will have a gameplan and they had some success in the second half when they changed.
“Whether or not they do that from the beginning, I’m not sure but playing away from home always brings up different challenges compared to playing at home.
"No doubt, it will be an interesting battle but one we are looking to take advantage of and win.”
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