Nathan Ferguson: I owe a great debt to West Brom boss Slaven Bilic

The 18-year-old was simply a prospect with dreams of making it into the first-team when Bilic became head coach back in June.

But after just two training sessions, the Croatian identified him as a key man going forward.

Since then Ferguson has shone at both right-back and left-back as Albion have climbed to the top of the Championship.

And when asked if Bilic has turned his career around, Ferguson – who netted his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win at QPR – admitted he has.

"He (Bilic) has been massive for me," the defender said.

"You can say I am in debt to the gaffer. He is a great manager.

"He is very positive, but in every game and in every training session we have to work hard for each other.

"He is a passionate manager and that makes us passionate on the pitch.

"He keeps me humble, which is good. And he keeps wanting me to do more.

"He is teaching me to stay grounded and stay focused."

Ferguson, who first joined Albion aged eight, admitted it was an incredible feeling to score his first senior goal – which came with a fierce low drive from 18-yards.

"It was a great feeling to get my first goal," he continued.

"I was always going to shoot. I drove into the space and as soon as I got near that 18-yard box I was shooting.

"I didn’t actually know the ball had passed the keeper. I just saw it hit the net.

"But when I saw that net ripple, it was an amazing feeling."

The youngster now faces competition from Kieran Gibbs for the left-back role with the former Arsenal man fit again after recovering from an ankle injury.

But instead as viewing him as a rival for a place in the team, Ferguson sees Gibbs as a role model.

"Kieran helps me out a lot," he added.

"I wouldn’t describe it as competition, he is a role model to look up to, especially how he plays because he is very calm.

"He advises me to stay focused and stay calm."