Tony Mowbray's second Ewood Park spell feels like a second chance for Harry Pickering.
The left back has had a tough time with injuries in recent years, but in addition had a selection hurdle to get over last season.
When fit, the defender found himself out of favour with Valerien Ismael.
But the Frenchman's departure in February gave Pickering a fresh start under Michael O'Neill in the latter part of last season.
There was more uncertainty in the summer after O'Neill opted to remain in international rather than domestic football and stay with Northern Ireland.
But a familiar face returning to Ewood this summer to take charge again has offered reassurance to Pickering.
"I just thought it's a great appointment," said the 27-year-old when asked what he thought when he heard the news in the summer.
"Obviously I knew him from his first period at the club, so knew what he was going to come in and do and I think the lads have really taken to it and we're trying to get those things that he wants on the pitch and trying to do them things.
"He's still really involved on the pitch and loves football so I don't think he's changed in that regard.
"The demands and the standards and everything are still the same and we've got to go and replicate what he wants on the pitch."
But Pickering says it is not just the work on the training pitch that has an impact, but also the words that Mowbray chooses that are inspirational and motivational.
"I think it's important you listen to his words and they do inspire you and it just seems to be at the right time before the game. It seems to be the right words and you can take them onto the pitch ready to go. I think he's good at that," explained the former Crewe defender, who was brought to Ewood by Mowbray in 2021.
"He just says the right things at the right time and gives you that extra motivation to go out and put on a good performance.
"It's a good attribute to have and he's really good at that, especially one-on-one, the relationships he has with the players are really good and I think that's really important."
But as well as speaking, another positive trait of Mowbray's is that he will listen too.
"That's a big thing. Football is the job but if and when there's stuff going on you can always go to talk to him if you want to.
"Even if you're not playing he still makes sure he checks how you are outside of the pitch and stuff like that. He keeps everyone together and keeps everyone wanting to play."
There were some tough spells last season for Pickering, who admitted he considered moving elsewhere at one stage.
"As a player when you're not playing that's all you want to do - play," he explained.
"I did think about it (leaving) and things could have happened but for whatever reason they didn't and I stayed, and I played some games towards the end of the season and just tried to keep my head down during that time and work hard.
"I think that's all you can do.
"With the manager at the time I did have honest conversations really and that was it. I just wasn't part of the plans, which is fair enough.
"But it happened for a reason I think.
"It was a tough period last year at the start of the season, it got a bit better towards the end obviously and got a few more games but I'm feeling good now and ready to try and do my best.
"I'll try my best to stay in the team and help the team as much as possible. I'm feeling good."
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