Jerome Thomas admits he’s caught cup fever after helping Albion through to the FA Cup fifth-round. The winger scored Albion’s fourth against Newcastle United to set up a tie against fellow Championship outfit Reading with Thomas hoping the Baggies can now reach the quarter-finals and beyond.
While the former Charlton man insists the league and promotion is Albion’s target this season, the skilful wide-man insists there’s no reason why the Baggies can’t challenge on two fronts this term.
“I think we have a big enough squad and good enough players to go far in the cup,” he insisted
"It's not a case of just concentrating on the league.
"The FA Cup is vital in terms of confidence and building up form.
"We can do that - we have a big enough squad.
"Simon Cox, Luke Moore, Ishmael Miller couldn't make the team on Saturday - Luke didn't even make the bench - it shows the strength.
"So we can have a cup run."
Despite plying his trade at the highest level with Arsenal, Charlton and Portsmouth the 26-year-old admits his disappointment at never reaching the final stages of the famous competition with his former clubs; however insisted a different mentality at Albion is now finally giving him the opportunity to reach a cup final.
"I never really got far in the cup,” Thomas continued.
"With Charlton it was about the league and getting to a certain point - the cup wasn't important.
"That was how Alan Curbishley wanted to play.
"Here we don't think like that - we want to win every game and that's my mentality, whether it's the Carling Cup, league or FA Cup.
"I think a lot of people downplay the cup to cover their own back.
"But who doesn't want to go on a cup run?
"Of course you want to be in a cup final.
"That's what we want to do."