In the space of seven months, Zak Vyner has shaken off his unreliability tag, cemented his place in the side and even has a new song from the Bristol City faithful echoing around Ashton Gate.
His progress and resurgence on the field has been nothing short of phenomenal but the academy prospect will be keen not to get carried away knowing how quickly things can change in football.
Although he's not prepared to rest on his laurels and at the age of 25, now has a new responsibility in the team which is proving further motivation to drive the consistency of his performances. Following the switch to a back four, Vyner is now the most experienced head driving a young defence that is continuing to gel as a collective.
Vyner is building a positive rapport with 23-year-old George Tanner who continues to prove his reliability in a favoured right-back role. Rob Atkinson, 24, offers balance and an aerial threat to the central defender's left while Cam Pring, who turned 25 on Sunday, remains in red-hot form at left-back.
His leadership qualities in the FA Cup win against Swansea were evident, particularly in extra-time as the hosts pushed for a way back into the game. Again on Saturday, Vyner was vocal in driving the back four forward when the defence stood firm in dealing with crosses.
"If you look at the back four, I'm the oldest player now," Vyner said following the draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. "I don't think you have to be older to be a leader but I think it's something playing a lot of games this season has helped me add (to his game).
"I think this season talking and pointing and organising, I think that's part and parcel of being a central defender but I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds in that area and long may it continue and hopefully we can start building a stronger foundation as a unit and get some more points on the board.
"I think this year has been a season where the chance was there for me to take and I took it with both hands and I'm running with it. I couldn't have predicted what was going to happen at the start of the season but I'm enjoying every moment, I'm playing a lot of football which is what I wanted and it's great."
Those comments were echoed by Nigel Pearson who pointed out his reliability and consistency as the biggest factor of his rejuvenation in the side. Following a 3-1 defeat against Swansea in March last year, Vyner saw just 45 minutes of league action for the rest of the campaign however no player has seen more minutes (2398 with Alex Scott second on 2,241) having started 27 of 28 league matches this season.
"For a lad whose future was uncertain last season, he's done exceptionally well," the manager added. "He's a very likeable young man too. After a mixed season last year, he had some good performances last year and some not-so-good, I think he's been a really consistent performer for us this year. He's very popular and I'm delighted for him and I'm very pleased to have him too."
Competition in defence increased at the weekend after Tomas Kalas made a return to the squad for the first time since October. Injury set-backs mean he has yet to start a game this season and while Pearson admitted the Czech Republic international will need to remain patient given the form of Vyner and Atkinson, the former is well aware positions are up for grabs.
"Tomas Kalas coming back into the team, he's a top player and top defender," Vyner said. "If he comes back into the team he's only going to make the environment better. The standard is going to have to drive up, he's going to push everyone to make sure we hold onto our shirts."
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