Chris Hughton will be wise enough to follow the lead of Brian Clough when it comes to managing the development of Alex Mighten.
That is the verdict of broadcaster and Nottingham Forest fan Darren Fletcher, who believes easing the England youth winger into the Reds team gradually is a wise move.
Mighten was among a group of players who caught the eye in Forest's 3-1 win against Millwall on Saturday.
It was the second time he has impressed against Millwall but having only made 11 appearances this season, it has been one of gradual progress rather than an emphatic breakthrough for the 18-year-old.
Speaking on this week's Garibaldi Red podcast, Fletcher said that may be no bad thing as he referenced a conversation with former Reds coach Liam O'Kane about how legendary manager Brian Clough blooded young players.
"I spoke to Liam O'Kane about this. I said it's okay putting young lads in because think they're worth ago and Liam stopped me in my tracks," the BT Sport commentator said.
"He said that was the best thing about Brian Clough. He knew when to put a player in, but he was even better at knowing when to take them out.
"That's the trick with a young player isn't it. They've got ability. That's why they're in there in the first place.
"Some of them can go into a first team at 18 or 19 and never come out again - Trent Alexander-Arnold being the prime example.
"Most of them need to be managed in a certain way. Chris will have all the experience in the world with regards to when to take Alex in and out.
"The good thing is that there is a fantastic relationship between the Academy and the first team. Gary Brazil is in there giving his feedback and he knows Alex better than Chris does at this stage, in terms of what he is and isn't capable of.
"That's a really important relationship. Gary Brazil's experience of Alex Mighten will be relayed into Chris Hughton to him as much information as possible.
"Alex might be one of the exceptions who can go in and play pretty much the rest of the season, do well and then come back in the summer as one of the key pieces for next season's team.
"It's that balancing act of when you put them in and take them out. Sometimes the fans will look at it and think it's a crazy time to take him out when he's playing well.
"The manager might think that's the right time to take him out the firing line. More often than not, they only come out of a team once and then they're off."
