But after his move from Manchester United to Burnley, Chris Eagles is thriving on the big stage.

And he is revelling in his double act with Robbie Blake.

The 22-year-old has scored four goals in 12 league appearances since signing in the summer, including the brace that sealed victory against Norwich on Saturday.

That saw the Clarets stretch their current form to just one defeat in 15, and Eagles admits he feels he is now firmly on the same wavelength as his new teammates.
After the team's initial struggles this season, Eagles' frustration led to a red card against Plymouth, a subsequent suspension and a battle to get back in the side.

However, the wide man is now making his mark and relishing regular football.

Asked whether he felt it was difficult to adjust to the Championship after leaving Old Trafford, he said: "It wasn't, because I wasn't playing. I was always either sub or playing in pre-season, but come the Premiership I wasn't playing.

"For me this is a bigger stage, because I'm playing and people are looking at me and what I can do.

"At United I wasn't playing, so there was no pressure on me producing on the day.

"Here I'm in the first team and people are looking up to me, whereas before I was looking up to them."

Owen Coyle believes Eagles was perhaps trying too hard to impress after his arrival, saying: "When Chris first came in, those first three games he was probably trying to do everything himself.

"I think when he was banned for three matches it allowed him to sit and watch, and see that there are some very good players in the Championship, and you can't do it yourself, you need the help of your team-mates."

And Eagles is delighted to see things start to gel, although he warns the hard work is just beginning: "What we do in training's starting to show on the pitch now, and the gaffer is an attack-minded manager.

"For me it's brilliant because he just encourages you all the time.

"In training it's been like that every week, but we had new signings and we were getting to know each other and the way each other plays, and as you can see it's coming together now.

"Like any team, if there are players brought in, or in any environment you have to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses before you see it start gelling.

"I've loved it since the first week I've come here; I just thank the gaffer and all the players I'm playing with, because without them I wouldn't be doing well myself and the team wouldn't be doing well.

"But we can't get too ahead of ourselves. It's a long season, we've just got to carry the results on and if we keep winning and getting points, we're just going to climb the table and pull away from everyone else.

"There's still more to come, but we've just got to take each game as it comes.

"We can't get too much ahead of ourselves thinking about play-offs and going up, because that's when the results just start to slide away. You've just got to concentrate week in, week out."

He has struck up a great rapport on the pitch with Blake, with the pair trading assists and goals, and he admires the impish forward: "He's not the quickest player, but he's so clever and sharp with his touch.

"For me, being a winger and liking to attack players, having him there, it's great to play off someone like that because he sees space.

"I'm not saying other strikers don't, but it just seems he knows where to put the ball.

"If I give it to him, he puts it into the space for me to run onto, and that's what I love because I'm quicker than most players I play against.
"He's a great player and I love playing with him."

Eagles has also been working hard on the defensive aspect of his game, tracking back to help the full back, and he praised Stephen Jordan: "In training I've been doing extra running. I'm trying to learn my defensive side of the game, and with the gaffer encouraging me all the time, I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong.

"He's always encouraging us and that's why you see everyone with confidence.

"But Stephen's a great player, I've known him for years when I was at United.

"He's a few years older than me but I've played against him in the reserve matches and I've always liked the way he plays because he always talks to you, and that's all you need – someone to say 'left, right, come back'.

"He's a great example, and I just thank him for what he's doing because, without him, I'd be lost.

"Every player's very good here though. Everyone's confidence is flying and everyone's fighting for a position.

"It's not the biggest squad, but the manager's brought players in who are versatile. Grezza can play in centre midfield and go right back. We've got players who can play in different positions, which is good."