You wouldn't have guessed that Notts County loanee Jodi Jones had not started a competitive game of football in the league for over five years based on his recent performances since joining from Oxford United.
In another excellent Magpies display, the 25-year-old proved instrumental in Luke Williams' side's comeback victory over Barnet on Tuesday evening in a much-improved second half display.
The midfielder's evident skill and quality on the ball are levels above the National League, once again proving what an astute piece of business Notts have added to their ranks ahead of the second part of the campaign.
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With Ruben Rodrigues recalled to the starting line-up after serving his one-match suspension from his second yellow card against Torquay, Jones was dropped down to the bench and watched his side go into the break a goal down following Aden Baldwin's error which led to Harry Smith opening the scoring.
But with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling feeling the effects of an earlier challenge in the second half and no Aaron Nemane amongst the substitutes, Williams deployed Jones in that right-wing back role to add another 45 minutes in the tank.
Notts' 2-1 win over Chesterfield at the weekend was the first time the man on loan from Oxford had played 90 minutes in 1908 days, with the midfielder explaining the immense sense of pride for him and his family following the win at the Technique Stadium.
"In the league, yes it was," explained Jones.
"My Dad messaged me and gave me a bit of stick about my first half performance but said I was much better in the second half and he sent me the statistic to show me how long it was because it was back in 2017 - one day before I did my ACL.
"It's a proud moment for me and my family and everyone that supports me because a lot of people would have given up, but with family and the strong people behind me, I am still here."
And Jones almost marked his substitute cameo with a goal, picking up the ball on the edge of the area before curling a left-footed shot beyond the grasp of Laurie Walker, only for Macaulay Langstaff to wheel away in celebration after getting the slightest of touches on the ball with the goal officially credited to the Notts number nine to take his total to 27 goals for the campaign.
The midfielder admitted it would have been nice to get back on the scoresheet, but insisted that he was pleased for Langstaff to add to his growing goal tally.
"It fell to may at the back post, I think Vinny put a good ball in - I took a touch and just tried to whip it in the far corner and I think it was going in anyway, but Macca is a top goal scorer.
"I don't know where it has come off of him, but it did I am happier with the win to be honest, happy to get an assist but at the same time it would have been nice to get a goal.
"I am happy for him - I have not known him for too long but I want him to win the top goal-scorer in the league and to get as many goals as possible so I am buzzing for him."
Having been plagued with serious injuries in recent years, it's great to see a player of Jones' quality shine once again and become the player many expected when they saw him net a hat-trick for Coventry against Notts on the opening day of the 2017/18 season at the Ricoh Arena.
Jones has featured in the last five games since joining from the Kassam Stadium in January, impressing in all of those appearances, further detailing his affection for the love of the game and how he is relishing the opportunity of playing under Williams.
"I am over the moon - there are so many highs and lows in football as you saw the other day against Chesterfield.
"At half-time, I was gutted with my performance, then in the second half I came out and was over the moon with my performance, but that is just how football goes.
"You can enjoy the highs but not too much because there are always lows to come and I have had a lot of those, but all I wanted to do when I was at Oxford was to play football, and everybody in the building knew that.
"I love football so much and all I want to do is play football and since I have come here the manager has been perfect in easing me in, I can't ask for much more."
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