Ryan Yates has played 99 games for Nottingham Forest, but one problem he has never had is a lack of support from those inside the club.
It is perhaps only in the last 10 appearances that he has won over the majority of fans, with his performances since Chris Hughton left, thanks to a more progressive attitude on the ball under Steve Cooper.
While former managers and a large section of fans have seen the value in the 23-year-old's work, there has been a consistent group that have never been convinced he has the quality to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Yates has been a regular since Martin O'Neill's appointment in January 2019, but by his own admission is no Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rising talent
Boss Steve Cooper has been impressed with the next generation of talent coming through the ranks at Nottingham Forest.
The Welshman’s reputation for working with and helping to develop young players was a key factor behind his appointment at the City Ground.
From his time working at Liverpool’s academy to managing England at Under-16 and 17 level, including winning the World Cup with the latter, Cooper knows how to handle the early stages of players’ careers.
That ties in well with the Reds’ tradition of bringing their own stars through the ranks at the Nigel Doughty Academy - and some of the latest crop are already regularly training with the first-team, with a view to one day staking a claim for their place.
Super Cooper
Lyle Taylor took a moment to think about the question. The rain was pouring down in Bristol, it was getting on for 11pm at night, and there was a long trip back to Nottingham ahead.
He repeated the line back to his inquisitor: "What has the manager done?"
Pause. Intake of breath, as if gathering himself for a lengthy answer.
"The manager," he said. "Has instilled a belief in the boys."
The striker went on to explain further. But if he wanted to sum up Nottingham Forest's transformation under Steve Cooper that sentence would have been a perfectly suitable one.
Belief encapsulates what Cooper is trying to achieve at the City Ground, and how he is going about getting there.
Cash' memories
Matty Cash has reminisced over his time at Nottingham Forest ahead of his international debut for Paulo Sousa's Poland.
The Aston Villa man is set to earn his first international call-up after qualifying through his mother's heritage.
After joining the Reds at the age of 17, Cash hadn't always been a right-back by trade, but eventually grew into the 'perfect modern-day full-back.'
"His enthusiasm and desire to get around the pitch really grabbed us. He initially came in as a midfielder and he was one where, after a few minutes we thought 'wow, we've got a footballer here,' said Forest academy manager Gary Brazil who offered him a trial.
