Secrets to Noah Okafor's successful debut Leeds United season are structure and freedom
Noah Okafor says hard work and a clear plan off the pitch but some freedom on it have been behind his maiden season at Leeds United.
The Swiss forward was not an instant success after joining from AC Milan in the summer, but the longer the campaign has gone on, the better he has been, scoring six goals in his last seven Premier League games.
That is probably partly due to his growing robustness after injury problems at his previous clubs.
"I work extremely hard off the pitch, I did a lot of things and I think this helped a lot," he told the BBC. "I'm much stronger and now I can perform.
"Sometimes injury can come or you have a little bit of fatigue or you get a hit but the way I train now and the way I'm positive, I think this keeps me fitter."
The Premier League is notorious for being the most physical of Europe's top leagues, and Okafor is full of praise for the way Leeds' medical team have helped him cope with it.
"They are transparent, they have a clear plan," he said. "This is important when you get an injury, for example, for 10 days or two weeks, they have a perfect plan. This gives the players confidence."
When it comes to how he plays, he places great importance on the freedom manager Daniel Farke has given him in an inside-left position in his usual 3-4-2-1 shape.
"He's a top coach, a top guy," said Okafor, who is hoping to play for Switzerland at this summer's World Cup. "He knows exactly what he wants from the players.
"He gives me a little bit of freedom to move how I feel. I try to give everything for him, for the team, for the fans.
"My past coaches didn't give me that freedom and I need this freedom to perform at my top level.
"We have a clear plan but sometimes it's a little bit of instinct, you have to feel free and do the things you feel are right."