Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has again sung the praises of James McFadden after their thumping of Tottenham.
"You have to take that responsibility and you have to show consistency, do it in every single game - and James is relishing that challenge. I just felt it was a case of him being the right man at the right time. He has settled in very well and is a popular lad in the dressing room."
McFadden struggled to hold down a starting spot at Everton, and McLeish added: "Has he been waiting for this stage?
"He has been waiting for this chance. Over the years he would have been a wee bit impatient about it. He has been developing all the time through that spell.
"I am sure his mental toughness would have improved because of the amount of times he would have been knocked down and had the stuffing knocked out of him having played and then being left out.
"It takes a strong person to keep bouncing back.
"I am not saying he will play every game because players cannot play 40 odd games consecutively - but he is certainly going to be one of the major players for us and has made a great start."