Nathan's Nod

YOUNG Argyle winger Nathan Thomas has thanked the fans for their support, following his full debut for the club in the 2-1 Sky Bet League 2 victory away to Newport County.

The 19-year-old joined the Pilgrims on Christmas Eve and had previously made eight appearances for the club, all of which have come from the substitutes’ bench.

However, manager John Sheridan gave he and fellow youngster Tyler Harvey their first starts of the season in an attack-minded line-up.

The two teenagers immediately paid back that faith by combining to help Argyle open the scoring in South Wales.

It was a cross by Thomas from the left-hand side, which found Plymouth-born Harvey at the back post who headed home to give the Pilgrims the lead.

“I think that was the first time I had any space at all in the first half.” said Nathan.

“I knew as soon as it left my foot that it was on the money and it was a great header by Tyler.”

Thomas, who had previously been on the books of Newcastle and Sunderland, was played in an unfamiliar left wing-back role, and was faced with the task of keeping former Pilgrim Chris Zebroski quiet.

“I think that’s the most defending I’ve ever had to do ever; he’s a good player and that something I think I've got to work on, my defensive side.

“The first half was sloppy - I was a bit nervous with the full debut - but I thought second half I did really well.”

A number of fans had been crying out for Thomas to be included from the start and this is something that hadn't gone unnoticed by the young winger.

More than a thousand Argyle fans packed the away enclosures at Rodney Parade. Their vocal enthusiasm and the players’ positive performance on the pitch seemed to form a symbiotic relationship, with the performance of each improving as the night wore on.

“I think I owe it to them [the fans] as well tonight, for the fantastic support they've showed me,” said Thomas, of the Green Army

“The ground shook when we started; I felt it in the bottom corner.

“Everywhere we go we get the supporters in, it’s fantastic. I think that’s the reason we are where we are, because we've got something to play for; thousands of people who are travelling every week, travelling the breadth of the country to watch us play.

“Ever since I came here I’ve had a lot of supporters. I really wanted to do it for the them obviously and a little bit for myself to prove I could do it, but I hope I paid everybody back tonight.”