Nottingham Forest's Ben Osborn reflects on his breakthrough season and looks forward to the next.
As part of Sky Sports' Sky Bet Championship spotlight, Chris Burton catches up with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Osborn.
The 2013/14 campaign has now come to a close, with promotion and relegation issues wrapped up.
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Sky Sports, we have endeavoured to take you to the very heart of the Sky Bet Football League over recent months, with our Spotlight features intended to give you a greater insight into the clubs and players that keep us on the edge of our seats.
We have looked to bring you the views and thoughts of a representative from each of the 72 teams over the course of the season, with those involved asked to give their take on the division they compete in, the club that pays their wages and those we should all be keeping an eye on.
Nottingham Forest's Ben Osborn is last into the hot-seat, with the Reds midfielder taking time out to reflect on his breakthrough season and look forward to a potentially exciting one with Chris Burton.
How are you looking back on the season on a personal level - did the breakthrough come sooner than you expected?
I was on the bench a few times under Billy Davies, six or seven times without playing. To then be thrown in at the start straight away, that did come a little quicker than I thought to be fair.
As soon as Gary Brazil came in, did you think that there might be a chance because he knew you so well from the academy set-up?
I did. Then in the first game that he took over, I wasn't even on the bench. We lost against Charlton and then the next game he told me that he would starting me. I played quite well and after that I knew I would have a good chance of carrying on in the team.
So you had a bit of notice ahead of the Ipswich game, you weren't thrown in at the deep end? Were there any nerves?
He told me on the Friday that I was definitely starting. The day before there were a few nerves, but on the day I was fine.
Do you feel that the grounding you get at Forest helps to make the step up easier, with there so much emphasis placed on the production of home-grown talent and making sure you are ready?
Yes, I think so. It's a fantastic youth policy here. Obviously you have got to make sure that you are right with your performances. Other clubs don't have the youngsters training with the first team, but here you do and once you do that, that's a big step up. Your focus then is to step up again.
It must be encouraging to see the likes of Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles playing regularly, it proves that the club are prepared to offer those opportunities doesn't it?
Definitely. Especially Jamaal, he's had a really great season and has come on leaps and bounds. Everyone who is in the U21s all look up to them.
What are the biggest differences when you make it into senior football?
It's more competitive, more disciplined and a lot faster. There is more riding on it, so you know that you if give the ball away they could make something of it. From the U21s, there is just so much more riding on it.
And it must be nice to play in front of big crowds as well, another big difference from the youth ranks?
That was something I had been looking forward to all season, playing in front of a crowd. I was trying to get out on loan and there were a clubs interested. But I was getting in and around the first team at Forest and it was great to get out in front
