West Bromwich Albion winger Jerome Thomas hailed the performance of Abdoulaye Meite for their draw at Stoke City.
Thomas has praised Meite for his professionalism after being brought back in from the wilderness to form part of Roy Hodgson's impressive backline against the powerful Potters.
"We've seen what Abou can do in the past," he told the WBA website.
"You don't make the amount of Premier League appearances he has made if you're not a good player. These things happen in football. Some managers like you and some don't.
"Some managers you get on with and have a relationship with and some you don't fit into their plans.
"It's as simple as that. Di Matteo didn't fancy Abou for whatever reason now the new head coach has come in and he's been given a new lease of life. He's producing it in training and took it into the game on Monday.
"He looked liked he hadn't missed a game - superb! It's all about confidence as a player. This is our job at the end of the day and we have to come in and be together and work hard.
"When you know you're not going to get a chance in the team regardless of how well you train that's frustrating. That's what he has been through in the last year and half.
"But he has been very disciplined I have to say. He's come in, done his work, been on time, kept his head down and hasn't caused any problems.
"Football is a funny game and this is how quickly things change around.
"He was one of our best players on Monday."
