Although it sounds like an oft-used cliche - and perhaps that may be the case - Obbi Oulare has worked hard to be where he is, and Watford's summer signing is now pushing harder than ever to secure his place in the first team.
Despite being signed four months ago, Oulare was not given an opportunity to show his value to Quique Sanchez Flores until he was given his debut against Newcastle United in the Hornets' 1-0 FA Cup third round victory on Saturday afternoon - but he has been using his time wisely.
Training hard
The 20-year-old has been hard at work training in the gym, using Watford's training facilities to keep himself in shape and working hard to be a fitter, stronger player so that he is prepared for the standard of the Premier League.
The Belgian was substituted after 45 minutes, but rather than that being indicative of his performance, both manager and player spoke of Oulare's lack of competitive football in recent months being the main reason for the decision. The youngster described the opportunity to play as "very hard", citing the fact that he hasn't "played for months", and that the level of football in England is "very different" to that of his native Belgium.
At Club Brugge, Oulare was a regular, either from the substitutes' bench or he'd start the game. This season he has had to sit, unused, and watch on as his fellow strikers - the likes of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo - plunder the goals for the Hornets as Flores' side have made a great start to the campaign.
It can't be easy, but Oulare knows that he is still young and still has "plenty of time". His aim, he says, is to "enjoy life" highlighting the fact that nobody believe he would be playing for a Premier League club "at the age of 20".
Further opportunities
For sure the young striker's time at Vicarage Road will come. Flores has spoken repeatedly of the need to bring new, young blood through the ranks, and has specifically cited Oulare as a "project" of his.
This suggests that future opportunities will not be too far on the horizon, and if Oulare manages to keep this upbeat attitude with a willingness to learn and push himself further as he develops, we might just be seeing more of this young Belgian talent.
