Tom Fellows has been talking about the differences between his performances and expectation levels this season compared to last year.
The England Under-21 international enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough term in 2023/24, impressing supporters, team-mates, Carlos Corberán and the coaching staff with dazzling displays down the flanks.
Fellows’ eye-catching form has continued into the current campaign and he heads into the last round of Sky Bet Championship fixtures as one of the players with the most assists in the division, sitting joint-top on seven with Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz.
The Academy graduate, however, also admits he’s gone through “tricky” periods this season and believes it’s been tougher for him to produce his best as a result of more second-tier defenders knowing who he is and what he is all about.
Tom insists he’s determined to keep working on ways to “mix up” his game, stating the expectation he now puts on himself is a lot higher than in the previous year.
The 21-year-old said: “I do think it’s been harder for me this year. I’ve felt so, anyway.
“Firstly, you have an expectation of yourself to play at a certain level and make things happen as a forward player. So the expectation I put on myself, and that of people looking in, is probably higher and rightly so.
“It’s also tougher because defenders tend to look at you more, they’ll watch clips of you and see what you’ve done to try and read you a bit more. So it’s a bit like golf - you need different clubs for different shots and it’s the same with us in football.
“You have to mix your game up a bit more and it’s definitely been tougher for me this season in that respect, but it has been a good challenge.
“I started off well, got a few assists, then went through a tricky period which was disappointing and tough, but having good people around you like the staff here, players, and of course family who try and keep you upbeat has made me happier recently with how I’ve been playing. Hopefully, I can carry on going and keep getting better.”
High-flying Sheffield United are the visitors to The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon (ko 3pm).
The Blades have made a terrific start to the season and will be targeting an immediate return to the top flight following last year’s relegation.
Fellows admits it’s a difficult challenge, but thinks a triumph in B71 could be the catalyst for change.
He said: “It’s a really hard game, but probably the perfect one to try and put things right in.
“Beating them would give us a huge amount of confidence because they’re a really good side. We need that belief and, hopefully, that can help us kick on and find more wins.
“Players, fans, we all feel the same things. They’re invested into it as much as we are, they come every week and in the build-up to matches, they’re probably watching clips and anything they can of us on social media.
“The feeling for us is similar as it is for the supporters. We’re frustrated and it’s a tough time at the minute, but this is a time where you really have to dig in deep to try and change the momentum we’re in.
“All it can take is a bit of luck, or a ball goes in that you don’t expect, we beat a team, get a bit of confidence and all of sudden, you’re flying again.
“In the Championship, it’s so tight and everyone says it, but every game is different and no one ever gives you anything for free in this league. We have to work even harder if we want to turn things around.”
You can read more from Tom in Sunday’s edition of Albion News. The official matchday programme is available for £4 around the ground.
