Neco Williams claims his Nottingham Forest success is down to one individual – it’s not Nuno Espírito Santo

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Neco Williams has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most underrated performers this season, and he has credited his success to an unlikely hero.

Having initially struggled to cement a place in the Forest backline, Williams has since transformed into one of the first names on the team sheet.

Williams, who recently made his 100th appearance in the Premier League, has been a mainstay for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this campaign, shifting from his usual right-back to left-back.

The Welshman’s defensive change may have come as a surprise to some, but the defender believes he has always been capable of making the switch.

• READ MORE: Stuart Pearce says Nottingham Forest had a ‘brilliant’ player so good you could play him anywhere on the pitch

Neco Williams speaks on left-back success

Williams has improved defensively as well as going forward this campaign, all whilst playing on the opposite flank.

The 24-year-old has since spoken on his switch to left-back, claiming his grandad has actually played a huge role in the move.

“My grandad used to drill into my head that to be a Premier League footballer, you have to use both feet no matter what. He made me practise it, which isn’t necessarily something you want to do as a kid. Looking back now I’m so pleased he did,” Williams told the Nottingham Forest website.

“I’ve played on the left quite a lot for Wales so it’s not a new position, it’s good to be able to play both sides.”

Williams form may ease Ola Aina transfer burden

Despite Williams flourishing at left-back, it may not be long until he switches back to his natural right-back position.

That is because Ola Aina’s potential departure may create a hole on the other side of defence – a hole in which Williams would have no problem filling.

The Welshman played alongside one of the world’s best right-backs in Trent Alexander-Arnold while at Liverpool, so will no doubt fancy his chances putting that experience to use at the City Ground.

When speaking on his time at Anfield, Williams revealed the impact Alexander-Arnold has had on his career.

“At that time, I was still very young and maturing into a player, always learning. You could argue I was playing with the best team in the world, so for me it was about trying to take in as much information as possible and learn.

“Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and (Andy) Robertson were probably the best full-backs in the world that season, so I was learning so much.”