A first loan move can cause apprehension for a young player, but Middlesbrough prospect Josh Coburn knows that at Bristol Rovers he is in the perfect place to learn and develop, thanks in no small part to the presence of one Aaron Collins.
Coburn, 20, and 25-year-old Collins have formed arguably the most effective strike partnership in the EFL this season since the Teessider made his belated debut for the Gas in October after a knee injury.
Both men have racked up hugely impressive numbers. Coburn has eight goals in 14 appearances, with five assisted by Collins – the most productive player in the third tier with a league-leading 13 goals and 10 assists.
Not only are the stats eye-catching, but the optics are pleasing, too. Both men share mobility, technical skill and intelligence and few defences, if any, have been able to keep the pair quiet so far this season.
After scoring from a Collins assist in the New Year's Day win over Cheltenham Town, Coburn relished the chance to praise his attacking ally.
"He’s a fantastic player and he’s got me quite a few goals, to be fair," Coburn said. "You can’t do it all yourself and Azza has put many goals on a plate for me.
"I know exactly how he plays now and I think it works really well. I know what runs to make, I know to get in front at the near post and get across the goal."
Coburn is the latest in a series of Rovers players who have benefitted from playing alongside Collins, with Ryan Loft and Elliot Anderson also forging fruitful partnerships at different points over the past 12 months.
Manager Joey Barton raves about Collins' ability as a teammate as well as a player, always operating with an unselfish attitude. But what is it that makes him a dream colleague on the pitch? Coburn has a clear answer.
He said: "It’s because he brings so many players towards him. The opponents will think ‘We need to stop him, he’s the top goalscorer’.
"He brings players towards him and leaves so much space for others. He’s so aware of his surroundings, so he can slip someone in, and he’s not a greedy striker who will try to do it all himself. He has still got lots of goals, but his assists are massively important as well."
A move up the pyramid surely beckons for Collins when the time is right, and Coburn is in no doubt that the Welshman can succeed at a higher level.
"Definitely," he replied. "Obviously, he’s developing and he’s pretty young as well, so he’s still got a lot to learn, but I think he’s going to be a top, top player and he already is a top player."
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has stated his belief that Coburn should finish the season with Rovers rather than being recalled this month, believing it is the ideal place for the one the Gasheads call "The Teesside Haaland" to develop. Coburn wholeheartedly agrees.
He said: "I honestly do. I am really enjoying my football here. I’m scoring goals and playing 90 minutes. It’s massive for me and my development.
"In League One when I first came in, I didn’t realise how physical it was going to be and I think it is more physical than the Championship. Getting used to that is going to stand me in great stead for the future."
Although defeats to Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City before the win over Cheltenham did their chances no favours, Rovers certainly consider themselves in contention for a League One play-off place and Coburn says there is no reason why they cannot break into the top six.
"One hundred per cent (anything is possible)," he said. "We all believe we can get in the play-offs because I don’t think we have come up against a team who really have been better than us.
"Since I’ve been here, I think we’ve been in most games and I definitely think we can do it."
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