David Brooks only had experience of one full campaign of professional football before Eddie Howe signed him for AFC Bournemouth from Sheffield United in the summer.
Despite being small in stature, the 21-year-old has made a big impression, scoring three goals in nine Premier League matches after his opening-weekend debut. Brooks puts it down to confidence.
Confidence key
"You've got to believe in yourself," he said in an exclusive interview. "Coming into the Premier League you can start to fall behind with nerves and things like that.
"So, you've got to believe that you deserve to be here, but I probably didn't anticipate starting as well as we have done."
It’s also been a dream start to 2018/19 for his club. AFC Bournemouth lie sixth ahead of their trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.
"You set goals before the start of the season and one was to make my debut, which I was thankful for on the first game," Brooks said after receiving his PL Debut Ball.
"And it's to start trying to help the team in other aspects of your performance, and thankfully I've scored a few goals recently, so it's all been happy."
'The gaffer couldn't leave him out'
Club captain Simon Francis says Brooks left manager Howe no choice but to throw him straight into the starting XI in their Matchweek 1 victory against Cardiff City.
"David Brooks is flying," Francis said. "The way he impressed in pre-season, his fearlessness on the ball and his ability meant the gaffer couldn't leave him out for the first game of the season and I don't think he's looked back.
"He's really starting to shine and show the capabilities he has week in, week out, and he's been a real asset for us."