It is fair to say that Michael Smith has been something of a late bloomer in his career and is currently one of the most feared strikers in League One due to his improvement at Rotherham United.
Derby County manager Paul Warne enjoyed a successful stint with the Millers, winning promotion from League One on three occasions, and he brought more end product out of Smith's game compared to what had gone previously in his career.
When Smith joined the Millers from Bury in January 2018, his recent league goal tallies were: four in 2015/16, five in 2016/17 and he had only found the net once in 2017/18 before arriving at The New York Stadium.
Smith has enjoyed some of the most prolific seasons of his career since and explained how Warne improved his output when he spoke to The Yorkshire Post.
He said: "He (Warne) stuck me in the gym to begin with.
"Because I was a string-bean when I first went there.
"It (gym work) was not part of the make-up of set ups I'd been in (previously).
"But at Rotherham, they were massive on it, and I got really friendly with Ross Burbeary, the sports science guy at the time and he took us under his wing and really improved me in that aspect.
"He (Warne) also helped me off the pitch and it seemed to help me on it.
"He was a good man-manager who made me believe in myself a bit more.
"Things like that all help.
"Him and the whole club were massive.
"I said that when I signed here, and I would not say a bad word against the club as they helped me out a lot.
"I would not be where I am without them.
"Football is a short career and him and his staff have had an impact not just on my career, but my life.
"I will forever be grateful for that.
"He (Warne) made me realise that if I worked from Monday to Friday as hard as I can and left no stone unturned in game on Saturday, I could put my head on the pillow on a Saturday night and know I was ready and could be as well prepared for a game as much as I could be."
Warne was heartbroken when Smith took the decision to leave for Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, and that blow could go on to hurt the former fitness coach even more if he comes up with a decisive contribution for the Owls this afternoon.
The Verdict
Wednesday can climb above Plymouth Argyle and into the automatic promotion places in victory at Pride Park this afternoon, something that felt a fair way off just over a month ago.
The Owls' squad is one of the best that League One has ever seen, and attracting a player of Smith's quality, who could have been playing in the Championship this term with Rotherham, just goes to show the pull of the size of the club and the financial backing that Darren Moore has received at the helm.
The Rams will be pursuing a win to push them back into the top six, with performances and results seeing a clear upturn since Warne replaced Liam Rosenior in the dugout.