PETER JACKSON has created an award of his own to inspire Nat Brown for the new season.
The versatile player - who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday - receives the manager's vote for Most Improved Attitude at the club.
"Nat was a bit too laid back when I first came into the club and there were some days when he clearly didn't fancy getting to work on the training ground," said Jackson, who will be back at work next week.
"His mind-set for the first couple of months was certainly not what I wanted, but for the last six months or so he has been absolutely outstanding.
"He has definitely got the most improved attitude in the squad and, when he played last season he never let me down.
"With continued hard work, there is no doubt Nat will be challenging for a first-team place next season - no doubt at all."
Brown has shown talent at centre-back and wing-back but Jackson prefers him most as an option in the attack.
Injury cost the Sheffield lad two months of the run-in and, like a number of his colleagues, Brown will be hoping for a solid pre-season to create the fitness needed for an uninterrupted campaign.
"Nat has had one of the best changes in attitude I've seen from a player in a long number of years and I've got high hopes for him," said Jackson.
"He is not short of ability in any position, which makes him a useful man to have around, and having played a lot of matches the last time the club were in the Second Division, he should be well set to take things in his stride this time in League I."
