In-form Djed Spence produced another eye-catching display in Sunday's 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League, and the defender disclosed the mindset behind his rise with us after the game.
Djed is enjoying his best run in the side in recent months and is in flying form after waiting patiently for his opportunity to shine having signed from Middlesbrough back in July, 2022.
Providing an assist for the opening goal on his first Premier League start in this reverse fixture at St Mary's on 15 December, the full-back - who has gone on to rack up 12 top-flight starts since then - was at it again at the weekend when his neat cutback perfectly teed up Brennan Johnson to fire in the opener on 13 minutes.
Playing the full 90 minutes as further goals from Brennan and Mathys Tel secured an important three points, Djed was pleased to build some positive momentum ahead of Thursday night's UEFA Europa League quarter-final, first leg at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, even if Saints midfielder Mateus Fernandes' late strike did tarnish an otherwise ideal afternoon in the spring sunshine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
"It was a good game," he told The Review Show pitchside in N17. "A good result and happy with the win to build confidence ahead of Thursday.
"It was great team play (for the first goal). Sonny (Heung-Min Son) got the ball so I knew I had to support him, I made the overlap and he made a great pass to me so I just cut it back to Brennan and it was a great finish.
"It's frustrating (to concede). We pride ourselves on clean sheets and it's a big thing for us as a defensive unit. Not happy with it but we go again."
Already up to 26 appearances in all competitions so far this term, Djed has grasped his opportunity with both hands to become a standout player for Ange Postecoglou in 2024/25.
Having opened his Spurs account in our 2-1 Carabao Cup third round win at Coventry City back in September, our number 24 initially had to bide his time as he vied for a starting place with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie and was left out of the Europa League squad for the league phase of the competition.
However, an injury to fellow full-back and close friend Destiny at Southampton brought with it more regular game time for the Englishman who has not looked back since, adding to his tally with his first-ever goal in England's top flight coming against Ipswich Town in February closely followed by a maiden nomination for the Premier League's Player of the Month award for the same month, and was rewarded with a place in our European squad for the knockout stages.
Watch - Djed's maiden Premier League strike
"I've always believed in myself, I always thought it was there," reflected the former Nottingham Forest man. "It's just about getting the opportunity, I have the opportunity and I've taken it. I'm really happy to the staff and the players for believing in me.
"It's fantastic (to have competition for places). Pedro is a great player, Destiny is a great player so we keep each other sharp and give each other good advice on and off the pitch so it's healthy competition."
Djed is such a key asset to our backline with his athleticism, aggression out of possession and boundless energy up and down either defensive flank, a playing style in stark contrast to his laidback persona away from the pitch.
"I don't know, really, I'm just a chilled person," he explained. "I call it 'chilled in the mind, fire in the belly' so when I step on the pitch I feel like a different person, different human, different animal.
"I'm just happy to play, whether it's on the left or the right, whether I can help the team or not, I'm just happy to play.
"I think I'm pretty decent in tight areas, so whether I'm boxed in or not, I feel I can get out of certain situations so it's just part of my game.
"I just look at my own game. I don't analyse the opposition winger too much, I just focus on my own game and when it comes to the day you've just got to be ready to fight - so that's just what I do."
Watch - Djed's post-match interview from Saints win in full