Upon Johannes Hoff Thorup's appointment as Norwich City head coach, there was plenty of excitement about the potential unlocking of the Canaries' young talent.
Plenty of names were mentioned in that conversation—Brad Hills, Abu Kamara, Kellen Fisher, and Liam Gibbs—but the one who has taken the most steps forward didn't even appear in that initial clutch of young players listed.
Gabe Forsyth's rise into the first-team has caught everyone by surprise. Thorup, assistant Glen Riddersholm and even members of the playing squad have been impressed by his efforts in both pre-season matches and training.
Therefore, the decision to throw him into the Championship setting in the first Carrow Road game of the season wasn't hasty. It wasn't a desire from Thorup for a quick win with supporters. It was calculated and executed as a result of the Scottish youngster's efforts.
Even in midweek, his cameo against Stevenage was encouraging and confident. He is playing with maturity beyond his years.
What a couple of months it has been for Forsyth. From his first introduction to Norwich's first-team squad, then celebrating his 18th birthday, then a Championship debut at Oxford United, then a new contract and now a first start.
There was one moment during their camp in Austria, when a pass from the teenager in the closing stages of their practice match against Hoffenheim caused sporting director Ben Knapper and technical director Neil Adams to ask analysts for a re-watch after the final whistle.
This isn't his first introduction to senior football. The teenager was exposed to minutes in the Scottish Championship with Hamilton prior to his move to Carrow Road last summer; perhaps that explains his laid-back and calm response to being dropped into high-quality matches.
If there was a singular moment that encapsulated the approach Forsyth has shown to life as a first-team footballer, it was the willingness to take a ball on the half turn, taking a touch and firing an audacious effort from 30-plus yards towards goal, forcing Aynsley Pears to make a fine save.
That speaks of the confidence flowing through the youngster has currently. That will be born from having a coaching team with faith in his capabilities and speaks to the environment City are seeking to create in their new chapter under Thorup.
As City's boss said post-match, it is vital that after months of talking about the importance of nurturing young talent, the rhetoric is matched by actions.
Thorup could have played it safe and opted to start Onel Hernandez or even Kamara, who impressed in their midweek Carabao Cup victory, but instead was brave and willing enough to opt for the riskier choice.
Norwich want to tell a story that involves offering young talent an opportunity. At present, Forsyth is the poster boy of that strategy.
The biggest compliment of his first competitive start for Norwich was that he didn't look out of place throughout the 57 minutes he was on the pitch.
Forsyth's selection was due to his quality between the lines and capability of locating space; there were flashes of that being evident. But Norwich didn't get the teenager into the game on the ball as much as Thorup would have liked.
Prior to his substitution, Forsyth did seem to be running on empty and drifting more towards the periphery of this contest. That is to be expected of somebody at the beginning of his career with plenty of development to find.
There is and will be a need to unlock more growth from the Scot, but given the strides he has made in the opening two months of Thorup's era, it is clear that those opportunities will be provided to make that a reality.
Forsyth is grounded by a good family and representatives who will keep pushing him for improvement and not allow his mind to get carried away. It is a start and only one game, but it is now clear he is part of City's Championship squad.
They all watched on proudly at Carrow Road on Saturday. They were joined by 26,000 home supporters delighted to see the teenager given his chance. It is what Norwich City should be all about.
Considering he spent last year playing in a multitude of positions for the under-21s, including ending the season at left-back, it has been an incredible rise for that young man in an incredibly short amount of time.
He must be riding the crest of a wave at present. As summers go, few can rival Forysth's for progress. But the next mission is to become a regular through continued development.
VERDICT: First City start a proud day. Nearly capped it with a stunning goal from distance. Some nice touches and competitive, but faded physically as the contest wore on - perhaps understandably. Ovation from supporters as he made his way around the pitch after his substitution.
RATING: 6 out of 10
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