Brennan Johnson has been set a challenge to keep improving after netting his fifth Premier League goal of the season for Nottingham Forest.
The Wales international's superb first-half strike proved to be the difference as the Reds beat Leeds United 1-0 at the City Ground to move six points clear of the relegation zone. And head coach Steve Cooper says Johnson is starting to show he "belongs" at the very top level.
It hasn't always been easy for the 21-year-old this season as he adjusted to the step up in divisions, but his quality is really shining through now. There will be no time to rest on his laurels, though.
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"It’s not about how I work with him, it’s about him. If a young player wants to get to a level - a coach can cock it up more than anything - it’s just about how you support, guide, challenge and push," said Cooper.
"At the moment, I'm really enjoying seeing Brennan, and the likes of Morgan (Gibbs-White) and Neco (Williams), starting to thrive and get used to this big stage. It's the most elite league in club football, and it's their first time having a go at it on a regular basis. We’re really happy seeing Brennan feel like he belongs at the level and that he can make a difference.
"It was a brilliant goal. What I liked about it is, you don’t get many chances in this league. He scored a load of goals last year; he was getting more chances than what he'll get this year, but at the moment, he's taking his opportunities. That's what players who play in that position and end up doing well in this league, do.
"He's showing it at the moment, but he needs to get back in and work even harder, look at his game and put some things together on the training pitch, like everybody else. That’s how we aim to improve.
"I’m just not a massive believer that it’s the coach. The players are the ones who will always deserve the credit. They are the ones who go do it, they are the ones who prepare and they are the ones who make sacrifices in life.
"Sometimes you have got to see a player for what he is; and sometimes they need more influence or more interference than others. You have to get that right, not just with Brennan.
"There's been times where, no doubt I've not been Brennan's favourite person. No doubt about that. But then there's been other times where maybe I have. That's just coaching, not just with Brennan but with everybody.
"In the end, what you are trying to do is get these guys to feel great about themselves, so they can go play at their best. Brennan is showing some good moments, but my thought about Brennan is - and we're delighted with the numbers he's got, with goals and assists - that I know at some stage this week we will be talking about how he keeps it going and how he can improve even more. He wants that."
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