Morgan Gibbs-White has enjoyed a fine first season at Nottingham Forest with his performances catching the eye of England manager Gareth Southgate's staff and Sky Sport pundit Jamie Carragher.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher named Gibbs-White as his Premier League signing of the season and said he should be in the next national team squad on Monday Night Football.
That was after Gibbs-White scored five goals and added seven assists in 35 league games after his initial £25m move from Wolves, which could in theory rise to £45m with add-ons. However, he had one goal contribution in 12 games before registering five in his last six as Forest stayed up.
Much of that barren run coincided with Forest's own struggles, with former Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan explaining what he thinks has changed for Gibbs-White, calling on his own experiences playing in a similar role in the Championship.
READ MORE: Opinion: Steve Cooper has passed every Nottingham Forest test to date
READ MORE: Chris Sutton shares Nottingham Forest 'concern' with word of warning to Evangelos Marinakis
Finding space and easing the pressure
"If you look at his positioning, he's starting from a wider position and finding space," he told the Garibaldi Red podcast.
"When you play in that role as a number 10 from a central position you're only as good as the people you play with.
"Can they find you? If they can't you go 20 minutes without touching the ball. That's why it looks like a luxury role. You can be so influential or not be seen in a game.
"People have to get you the ball. Then you can get it and feel you have to do something special. Recently his starting point is wider but he finds pockets, pockets that become bigger from a wide position.
"From personal experience, when I scored 14 goals from midfield under Billy Davies, I played left midfield. We had a very strong midfield. Paul Anderson was an out and out winger. Paul McKenna and Chris Cohen were in the middle.
"I was on the left but I played inside and found holes. It was my best season of my career for goals. If I'd played behind a striker would I get that space?
"There's talk of England now. Anyone who has a good season in the Premier League they're talked about.
"It's his first season at the level. He's had good spells but let's not get carried away. Look at James Maddison and how many years he's been doing it consistently. He's still on the outskirts. Morgan is going in the right direction.
"Have a good summer, a good rest. If he keeps going England will come. Focus on being the main man for Forest and driving the attack."
Awoniyi makes all the difference
Gibbs-White also believes the return to the team of Taiwo Awoniyi has been a big factor as it means the former Wolves man is no longer playing as the false nine with Brennan Johnson and Emmanuel Dennis or Jesse Lingard flanking him.
"Going back to the Leeds game (2-1 defeat at Elland Road) and before that, he was playing as a false nine. I know with Chris Wood he got stick, but you have to understand what Steve Cooper was trying to do. A focal point makes a huge difference.
"Now the big man is back upfront it makes a huge difference. He's added goals too, which is brilliant. It's gone a bit unnoticed that when we were struggling we had no striker on the pitch.
"Now Awoniyi is getting goals and helping Morgan and Brennan with their games."
A better midfield gives an extra split second
The final factor McGugan pinpointed was the rejigged midfield with Jonjo Shelvey and Remo Freuler overlooked in favour of Ryan Yates and Orel Mangala, with Danilo as a more advanced number eight.
He feels an understanding is developing with players now realising when they need to give him the ball quicker.
"In that position at the top level it's that split second which can make so much difference. It might sound silly but sometimes players don't give you the ball because they wouldn't want it there," he said.
"Gibbs-White will ask for it and no disrespect to them, they're good players, but sometimes they think I wouldn't want it there so I wouldn't pass it there. You need to develop trust and confidence in each other and in those situations.
"That little change or delay, that little second stops you have having the half turn, touch and he's away. Sometimes you play with midfielders and get a better confidence, a better relationship. It all comes together.
"He might trust the players behind him more now to put himself in these positions. Yates will be the person who will say to Morgan 'listen, you win us the game. I'll get you the ball and you win us the game'.
"They make that sacrifice because they know he can win the game."
Should Gibbs-White be in the next England squad? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT:
- Forest 'keen' on PSG and Atletico Madrid transfers amid competition from Newcastle
Forest could turn to forgotten man to save millions amid Renan Lodi transfer dream
Exciting Morgan Gibbs-White verdict delivered as Nottingham Forest transfer prediction comes true
Forest tipped to 'go from strength to strength' with Evangelos Marinakis backing
Morgan Gibbs-White transfer comment made as Nottingham Forest ace backed for England call
