Brennan Johnson might be flourishing under a forward thinking coach, but the foundations Nottingham Forest laid for him are very much old school ones.
The 20-year-old has 10 goals and five assists this season as he is given freedom to express himself under a very basic message from Reds boss Steve Cooper - "don't be boring".
That success led Brentford to make three bids for the Wales winger before the end of the transfer window.
He is in talks with Forest over a new deal - a meeting took place between his father and Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis last week - but Johnson might ultimately be the latest player to net the club a massive profit after coming through the Nigel Doughty Academy.
It is there, under Gary Brazil, that Johnson learned the basics of being a professional footballer - and that often meant more than just being a talented player.
"It's the DNA in the academy. Hard work. They trained morning and afternoon," Johnson's father David told this week's Garibaldi Red podcast.
"They over-trained I would say. They ran them.
"He put them into a place where if they went to the first team, the first thing they say is 'they don't train very hard in the first team'.
"It's like Gary Brazil says 'I'll get them there' but after that it's down to players' talent to get through the door.
"Luckily when Brennan went up with Martin O'Neill he was put in a group with Worrall, Osborn, Yates, Cash and Lolley - all the runners.
"That was the top group and the norm. He knew that if you couldn't be in the top group at the academy you would never make it as a professional.
"Gary Brazil, all the staff, do a great job to say these are the levels you need but once you get through the door it's down to you.
"It was Chris Cohen and Jimmy Gilligan in the Under-23s. Gareth Holmes was fantastic before that.
"I got on with Jimmy. He was one of my coaches. He built the team around Brennan and Chris was another who liked Brennan's qualities but the first thing they did was make sure Brennan tried as hard as he could every day.
"Jimmy rang me one day to say he had to give Brennan a (telling off) because he had his socks down like Jack Grealish in a game.
"I asked how he played and Jimmy said he was brilliant but if he lets him have his socks down then everyone would have their socks down. I said fair enough. Those are the standards.
"They were brilliant for Brennan. You just needed a first team manager to give the opportunity and it's taken two years."
Forest first broached the prospect of a new deal for Johnson in December 2020, but former Reds striker David was reluctant for his son to sign when Chris Hughton was perhaps reluctant to pick the player in the first team.
Hughton was sacked seven games into the season with Forest in a mess. That was when Cooper came in and though the football he plays is far from simplistic, the message he relays to Brennan is.
"Steve has changed everything at Nottingham Forest. The first seven games feel like years ago," Johnson said.
"It's same group of players. We've added one or two, Steve Cook mainly.
"The rest were here before. It's like he's taken the handbrake off. Players are playing at the highest level they can.
"You take the losses on the chin and move on quickly. He's telling the players to express themselves.
"He doesn't say much to Brennan as he's not loud, he's very quiet. He just tells him to express himself and don't be boring.
"That type of man management with certain players works wonders. That bond with the players and how close they are, these 90th minute equalisers and wins says everything.
"It's like a miracle what Steve's done. It will only be worth it come the end of the season if we get in the play-offs.
"Every game is sold out. It brings a lot back from playing under Paul Hart.
"He played for the club and brought young players through, but I just think this team is at the right age.
"We had a really, really young team. This team, Brennan and Djed (Spence) are the youngest, but it's about how many games you've played.
Do you believe Brennan Johnson will sign a new contract. Have your say in the comments section below.
"The starting XI has played a lot of games. Under Paul Hart we were horrendous away from home but we battered everyone at home.
"This team is more well rounded and a little more experienced."
Success has brought speculation in the press and a weight of expectation from fans, but Johnson says he has no worries over his son, or other young players, dealing with the spotlight at Forest.
"I think the manager takes the pressure off them. The senior players take even more pressure off them," he said.
"They let them play. There's a lot of noise around the club about how well they're doing but the manager keeps them on their toes.
"They don't have time to bask in any glory. This run in will be tough."
You can listen to the full podcast here or watch it here, as Johnson discusses the influence of Steve Cooper and Forest's chances of winning promotion this season.
