Tommy Conway is using Alex Scott's recent success of being crowned the Championship Young Player of the Season as a further source of motivation to kick on and improve in 2023/24.
Conway took a brief moment to reflect on his campaign in his pre-match press conference before Saturday's visit of Burnley to Ashton Gate, as he sits joint top-scorer alongside Nahki Wells on 11 goals in all competitions in what has been a breakthrough campaign for the Taunton-born forward.
By his own admission, the 20-year-old was left unsure of his position in the side during pre-season with the possibility of heading out on loan, but he grasped his opportunity with both hands as his reputation in the Championship continues to flourish.
On Sunday, his close friend and flatmate Scott joined a prestigious list of world-class talents to win the EFL award having maintained his form and consistency throughout the season. The 19-year-old has set the bar for what can be achieved under Nigel Pearson's watch as opportunities continue to arise for academy prospects.
"I think he's backed up what he did last year with another good year and I think he's deserving of the full credit for what he's done on and off the pitch," Conway said ahead of City's encounter with the Premier League-bound Clarets. "He definitely deserves the award he picked up the other night and I'm buzzing for him.
"You can't dwell on the opportunities, you need to take them with both hands when you get them and Alex has done that. I like to think I've done that this year and who knows what can happen next year? Hopefully, I can kick on and follow in his footsteps."
The term 'kick on' is mentioned a few times throughout Conway's 13-minute interview. His ambition to take his game to the next level is paramount and judging by the way he has developed as a footballer this season, his potential is sky-high.
Even so, he still has to pinch himself at his rise to prominence in the City side. He added: "It's funny because a lot of people have been through the goals that I've scored and I'm on 11 now and people say, 'Would you have thought that at the start of the season?' And I say 'no chance'.
"I came into pre-season not knowing whether I'll be heading out on loan or whether I was going to stay and if I was going to stay, would I be an option off the bench? Would I be a starting? When I took my chance the gaffer kept me in the side for a while and I scored my goals so I don't think I've properly reflected on the season yet but when the season's out, I'll definitely be thinking about how far I've come this year and how I can kick on next year as well.
"I've improved physically, technically, and mentally on the pitch. Everything has improved. Obviously, I got my opportunity at the start of the season to play more games and ever since then, I've been able to kick on.
"I've played more games and more minutes in front of thousands of fans so there are elements of the game I feel I have improved significantly, but like I said, every aspect of my game has improved."
Conway's accolades have been fully justified throughout the season, but it hasn't come without obstacles. The first came during the draw against Coventry in January when he pulled up with a hamstring injury ruling him out for 11 consecutive Championship matches.
Reflecting on his injury, he said: "I think when you're fit you can take it for granted. It's not nice being injured especially when you've been playing and scoring as I was at the start of the season.
"It's something I had to lean on my teammates to guide me but I'm happy to be back out and scoring goals again. I've spoken about it a couple of times about the support of the senior players and when I was injured they were really good for me.
"It's that when you're injured, game day is almost the worst day of the week because you're sat behind the dugout, watching and you want to be playing but you learn how to get over that and are able to gee up your team-mates before the game.
"It was a learning experience and I've learned from it so if it happens next time I know how to deal with it."
The second hurdle came following the defeat at Sheffield United when Pearson was highly critical of the impact of Conway, Alex Scott and Mark Sykes from the substitutes bench. The striker responded in the best possible fashion, sending a bullet header into the roof of the net in the 2-1 victory over Rotherham last weekend.
"I think in my career that's the first time (to receive public criticism) and the gaffer wanted a reaction. I think me and Scotty were able to give him that, I think you're either going to go one way or the other with criticism like that, you're either going to hide and go into your shell or make yourself a better player.
"When the gaffer gave me the opportunity at the weekend I knew I had to prove myself again and I think I've done that."
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