Grimsby Town boss Ian Holloway has suggested that Nottingham Forest loanee Virgil Gomis can flourish under his management.
The 21-year-old forward joined the League Two side on a season-long loan deal ahead of last Friday's deadline for domestic transfers.
Gomis' previous EFL loan spells, with Notts County and Macclesfield Town, haven't been a huge success but, speaking to the Football League Paper, Holloway has indicated that he could bring out the best in the Frenchman.
He said: "It will definitely help him without a shadow of doubt having that league experience (at County and Macclesfield). But he is going to have to get used to me, isn’t he?
“Life is about bedding in with the person you are with and not with those who you were with before.”
Gomis was the second Forest player to join Grimsby on loan in the summer window with defender Danny Preston joining in September.
Holloway added: “Hopefully he will bring what Danny (Preston) has told me he is all about.
“If you look at his record when he has been out on loan, it’s not as good as the Under-23s but both (Forest academy manager) Gary Brazil and Danny Preston believe that he will respond very well to me.”
Having joined Forest as a youth player, Gomis has developed through the club's academy system but is yet to feature for the Reds and his only senior appearances have come while out on loan.
The 21-year-old's contract is set to expire in the summer, so he will be keen to show that he deserves a new deal while at Grimsby.
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The Verdict
Holloway has got some exciting young loanees at Grimsby this season and it's no surprise that clubs have entrusted him with their young players.
His unique character has brought out the best in players in the past and Forest will be hoping that he's right in his claim and that Gomis does flourish.
They have a decision to make over the 21-year-old's future and little of what he's shown out on loan in the past will have convinced them that they should look to hold onto him beyond the summer.
The forward has a lot to prove and Holloway could be the ideal man to help him do that.