DAVID Platt has suffered a troubled start to his managerial career.

Like Rovers, Forest struggled to come to terms with life outside the Premiership following relegation last season.

But Platt, who took over at the City Ground after an ill-fated short spell in charge at Sampdoria, can make one proud boast, to have discovered one of the most exciting talents outside the top flight.

Until the start of this season, David Prutton was unheard of and merely hoping for a chance in Forest's reserves this season.

But the 18-year-old has secured a regular position in the centre of the Forest midfield and is starting to turn a few heads.

He has been compared to West Ham wonderboy Joe Cole and is versatile enough to play in a number of different positions, although he has been playing the centre of midfield.

Ewood boss Tony Parkes, who watched Forest against Fulham last week, said: "He's definitely a footballer and has a lot of pace. We will have to watch him."

There are similarities with Rovers' own teenage powerhouse, David Dunn.

And the different paths that the two players careers have taken perhaps highlights Platt's problems at Forest.

For, while Tony Parkes has a wealth of options in most positions including Dunn's favoured central role, Platt's hands have been tied with little cash to spend.

That created the opportunity for Prutton to seize his chance, which he has done with relish.

He said: "Some of the things people have been saying about me have been a bit over the top but I am satisfied with my progress.

"I am not the type of person who sits back and analyses every game I play - I just get on with it.

"I find that it's only at the start or the end of a season that I tend to think about what I have done and what I'd like to achieve."

Unlike some of his colleagues who had been used to Premiership football, Prutton easily adapted to life in the First Division following his debut in the Worthington Cup against Bristol City in September.

In fact, he found it harder to make a guest appearance in a recent Youth Cup game against Manchester United.

Hull-born Prutton said: "I didn't find too many problems adapting to the first team.

"Football is the same game - whether you are playing in the reserves or the First Division.

"I found it more difficult to cope when I went back into the youth team.

"You have time on the ball in the first team - but that wasn't the case against United."

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