Notts County midfielder Ruben Rodrigues has revealed that Luke Williams was a huge factor in him remaining at Meadow Lane this season, despite reported interest from a number of clubs in the EFL.
Despite his short tenure with the Magpies, Williams has made a huge impact amongst his players, with his side currently unbeaten at the start of the National League season after seven games.
And Rodrigues has been a key component to that success along with summer signing Macaulay Langstaff, who netted his ninth goal of the season in their 5-0 victory over Dagenham and Redbridge at the weekend.
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But in the lead up to the fixture against the Daggers, many Notts fans waited in suspense, hoping that their talisman would remain a Magpie beyond the deadline. Shortly before the closure of the transfer window last Thursday, the Notts boss joked that he had locked Rodrigues in his office amid reported interest from League One side, Peterborough United.
And whilst it can be a stressful time for managers up and down the country, the Portuguese midfielder explained he was not worried about the situation surrounding his future at Meadow Lane but, revealed that he sat down with his agent before the start of the season and discussed potential options should a suitable offer be tabled.
"To be fair, we had training and I went home and had a nap, so I wasn't really worried about it. I think the gaffer knew what I wanted to do.
"We had a conversation in the holidays and when I met the gaffer and Ryan (Harley), I just felt a genuine interest from them in me and they are so different."
"But before the season I told my agent, if the offer is something amazing of course we will sit down and listen.
"He didn't reach out to me because no one was interested, or the offers were not good for me for the future. But I am happy here and think this will help me more in the future than any other team would probably do."
And in the pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Bromley to Meadow Lane this Saturday, Rodrigues revealed that Williams called him ahead of pre-season to explain his stance on offers for the midfielder.
Having already lost Kyle Wootton and Cal Roberts to Stockport County and Aberdeen respectively, Rodrigues explained that the Notts manager said he would not stand in his way should an acceptable offer come through, but also detailed how he would make him a better player going forward.
"When I was on holiday, he rang me one week before training started and he was genuine with me and said Ruben, if anything comes in, I am not going to stand in your way because it is your future and I have been there.
"But also, he said he is going to make me a better player. Even though my stats have not been as good as last year, I think I have been a better player than last season because I have been consistent this year."
And now the 25-year-old seems to be flourishing even more so under new management, having a greater impact on games and being more efficient in the final third, despite the stats not backing him up just yet.
Rodrigues explained that both Williams' and Harley's style of play have allowed him to do more on the pitch, whilst also explaining some parts of his game he is continually working on.
"What they have done is that they have brought in a new style of play, which is always nice to have new managers with a new style of play to allow you to do more.
"Me and Ryan (Harley) do a lot of stuff on finishing because I think I need to work on that and he was a top player and he is helping me with that, and the gaffer has shown me love from day one."
