Olamide Shodipo was just another academy prospect - and then the QPR winger discovered that when he took on and beat seasonal professionals - things would be different in the future.
Given his head pre-season, the teenager scored after just 16 minutes in Rs first outing against Aldershot and went on to make an impression in friendlies against PSV Eindhoven, Gronigen, Northampton and Premier League Watford.
To say the games were life changers is putting it mildly.
The lad from Hayes was included in the opening day 3-0 win over Leeds and has gone to add 12 more Championship appearances including Sunday’s defeat to Aston Villa.
“It all came too quickly, so I had to focus about how to improve and stay in the team,” Shodipo said.
“I think I was just more positive with the ball - taking players on and that kind of thing; creating chances for the rest of the team.
“Beating players is nice it gives you confidence to do it time and time again.”
Shodipo says his mum and dad have provided invaluable support and aiming to be something like hero Gareth Bales is a dream.
But what the Irish international wants most of all at Christmas is not his two from teeth - the gleaming pearlies are in place - but a first goal.
He added: “I want to get as many appearances as possible and get my first goal for the club - and push on from there.
“Once we get a goal we can go on from there and yeah it would be nice if Santa brought us a goal and a win.”
