John Bostock is something of an enigma, and that standing has not really changed across his short stint at Nottingham Forest.
Having burst onto the scene at 15 years of age, life under the brightest of spotlights comes naturally to the talented midfielder.
Such attention has weighed heavy at times though.
A high-profile switch to Tottenham never really worked out.
With five loan spells taken in during his time in north London, Bostock quickly became a footballing nomad.
His CV includes spells in England, Canada, Belgium, France and Turkey.
He is now back on home soil, with a season-long agreement bringing him to the City Ground.
Bostock arrived with high hopes.
That ambition still burns bright, but work is required to prevent it from fading.
Niggling knocks have done his cause few favours.
Competitive
In such a competitive environment, with starting berths akin to gold dust, spells in the treatment room are unwelcome.
Bostock needs to be on the training pitch to catch the eye of Sabri Lamouchi.
He boasts qualities which can make him a useful asset.
Limited opportunities have been afforded to him so far.
As things stand, the 27-year-old has taken in just three appearances across all competitions.
Two of those have come in the Carabao Cup, with Bostock last seen in the 3-0 win over Derby on August 27.
He has rather fallen off the radar since.
Which is surprising because he has shown flashes of potential when given his chance.
Plenty of Forest fans have talked up his ability after catching him in action.
Welcome
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Ball-playing options in the middle of the park will always be embraced.
Bostock, though, faces the difficult task of forcing his way into a system where others are well set.
Ben Watson is holding, Samba Sow providing energy and Joe Lolley, Joao Carvalho et all that sprinkling of magic dust.
Bostock is capable of holding his own in the engine room, with there a composed air to his game which makes him a competent playmaker.
He can pick a pass, make a challenge and try his luck from distance.
Plenty of boxes ticked, but into which hole in Lamouchi’s plans does he fit best?
Injuries, suspensions, the loss of form of others may yet play into his hands.
For now, though, Bostock remains the mercurial presence he was when he arrived.
He certainly deserves more than the 26 minutes of Championship action he has seen so far, but can he become a regular?
Such questions have followed him around throughout his career, with now the time to start providing a few answers.
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