Over two seasons following the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Raheem Sterling scored a brilliant 37 Premier League goals for Manchester City as a wide forward.
Of course, playing alongside the calibre of talent around him will mean chances were never few and far between under Pep Guardiola but the England international would still have to be adept at making those runs into the area, getting his timing spot on and being in the right place at the right time to hit the target.
Now you may be questioning why we're talking about Sterling and I'm afraid it has nothing to do with the January transfer window. In fact, it's relatable to Mark Sykes after the winger opened his account for City with two goals in the 4-2 victory over Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Republic of Ireland international sat in his post-match interview on Saturday, caked in turf and mud but with a smile on his face after playing his part in City's first home victory since October. Not only was it his first goals for the club, but it was also the first time he had started in his favoured attacking right midfield role following his summer move from Oxford United.
Sykes' pair of strikes were more or less identical. He was hovering around the penalty area to tap in Cam Pring's cross from close range in the second half before finding himself in a similar position to knock in Antoine Semenyo's ball across goal 19 minutes later.
He can't take all the credit. Nigel Pearson and Andy King played a part while both assists were of real quality but it was also time studying Sterling's game that played a key contribution to getting on the scoresheet.
"I remember watching a thing about Raheem Sterling who was told to always finish in the centre of the goal," Sykes said. "I think it was the documentary I watched on Man City and Guardiola told him to finish a lot of his runs... because obviously he played a lot on the wing and when the ball's on the opposite side, finish on the inside of the goal and you'll get so many tap ins.
"If you watch the highlights and the amount of goals he scored there from one or two yards it's just an easy example but it's a fact that you get goals from it. When I play higher I know I can finish in that position more often than I do at wing-back so we'll see how the manager sets his teams up going forward but today (Saturday) I really enjoyed it.
"In the first half, I could have had more goals as well. The manager and Andy King spoke to me and said 'make the runs in the centre of the goal, If you're running, finish inside the net.'
"Good advice but simple advice too. I knew that but it just takes someone to liven you up sometimes and thankfully I've got the two today. With the work that the boys have been doing to put in the number of crosses today, the ball ended up in the middle of the goal so many times and for us as forwards, you can't do much more. You're there for a tap in and that's where both my goals came from."
It can't be a coincidence that as soon as Sykes comes into the side in his favoured role, he finds himself on the scoresheet. Prior to Saturday, he had featured 20 times in the Championship all of those coming in the wing-back role.
Considering he was making the step up from League One, he can largely be proud of his start in a City shirt. First-team opportunities have become limited of late and Saturday's start was his first in the Championship since the defeat against Sheffield United on November 1.
"When I came here I wasn't signed as a wing-back," Sykes added. "I played there a few times at Oxford and when Kane Wilson got injured in pre-season, I played there against Bournemouth and feel like I had a really good game and then the manager looked at me in a way where he feels I could do a job there.
"When I was at Oxford, I had no goals from wing-back and I scored eight from right-wing or as a No 8 so subconsciously it was probably on my mind and then today when I finished up in the middle of the goal a couple of yards out with two tap-ins. It's a relief more than anything but it's nice to get off the mark.
"I wanted to show that once I play in that position, I can be much more effective on the game. I feel like at wing-back you can be forward and back and whatever but as a front player you can kind of save your energy for the attacks.
"I feel at wing-back a lot of the time I would go forward and when the ball gets turned over, I feel like I'm the one who has to be chasing back on my side whereas today if the ball gets turned over, I know George (Tanner) is behind me and the rest of the lads so it gives you a little more freedom to play and get in the box."
Watching from the stands at Ashton Gate were his girlfriend Courtney and two-year-old daughter Remy. Whether it's rain or shine, his other half will be watching on both home and away and it's that support which has helped Sykes settle to life in BS3.
"My girlfriend and my little girl come every week," he said. "It's nice for them to see that. My parents are coming over for the Blackburn game so hopefully, they can see one or two (goals).
"My girlfriend will stand and watch the whole game whether it's raining or it's dry and it's nice to have that support, especially being away from home.
"I see my family a couple of times a year and sometimes it can be quite difficult. In general, when things don't go well for you it's nice to have them there to keep you happy and sometimes football can get you down, especially when you're not doing well."
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