Michael Jacobs says he's determined to impress the Derby County faithful and prove he's capable of stepping up to the npower Championship.
The 20-year-old winger, who joined Derby this summer on a three-year deal from League 2 Northampton Town, says he is itching to make an instant impact at Pride Park Stadium.
He hit the winner against Burton Albion early in pre-season and has impressed in both training and match situations, but he’s eager to prove he can come up with the goods when it really matters and he is in line to make his first appearance in Derby colours in tomorrow's Capital One Cup clash with Scunthorpe United.
He said: "I know I'm coming here in many ways as an unknown quantity, so I want to impress straight away and show the fans what I can do.
"Although I'm raw, I have faith in my own ability and I believe I can become a key player here at Derby.
"I'm a winger who likes to take people on, get past my marker, get shots in and set others up as well - so hopefully I can wow the fans in the next few years with those attributes."
Jacobs, who had topped Northampton's assist charts in each of the last two seasons, says enjoys setting up goals for his team-mates rather than scoring them.
However, that doesn't mean he will refuse to get a shot away when the time is right.
"I've managed to get my name on the scoresheet a few times at Northampton but if I'm being honest I get more pleasure out of setting up goals than scoring them," he said.
"I still like getting shots in when I can and if the ball comes my way 25 or 30 yards out, I'll have a dig if I think it's right to do so.
"All being well, I can set a few up here and make myself an important part of the team."
Jacobs, after two seasons in League 2 with the Cobblers, believes he can draw inspiration from the way the likes of John Brayford, Ben Davies and Tom Naylor have stepped up from the lower leagues to become an integral part of Nigel Clough's plans.
He said: "I had a look on the website when I signed and I had a look at the squad list, and saw quite a few of the players came from the lower leagues.
"It's good to know there are others who have been in the same position as me and I can draw inspiration from what they've achieved.
"Even players like Adam Le Fondre, who helped Reading get promoted last season, are players I can look up to as a year ago he was at Rotherham United."