Sean O'Driscoll hailed the qualities of Simon Gillett as Nottingham Forest continued their unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory over Charlton.
Goals by Lewis McGugan and Sam Hutchinson, on his full debut, set up the Championship points at the City Ground on Saturday before Charlton pulled one back through Ricardo Fuller on his first appearance.
But O'Driscoll had no doubts about the outstanding contribution of Gillett, who he has twice signed for Doncaster and now Forest following his release by the south Yorkshire club.
The Forest boss said: "He was our best player. He's the type who goes under the radar but provides so much.
"The attention might be on the big signings we have made but he provides that bit of glue that is essential. Every side needs a player like him because he allows other things to happen.
"To be honest I thought we played well as a team. I was pleased with the organisation and what we did off the ball as much as on it.
"I know we lost 4-1 to Wigan in the Capital One Cup in midweek but there were a lot of positives for us in that game and we took them into the Charlton match.
"We made some really good decisions and although we were on top in the first half, to Charlton's credit they got to the break at 1-0 and changed one or two things that helped them.
"It was more difficult in the second half but if we play like that I'll be happy. I have no control over results but I would settle for that level of performance day in and day out."
Forest dominated possession from the start and it was no surprise when McGugan gave them a 17th-minute lead from a free-kick near the touchline that evaded everyone and caught out Charlton keeper Ben Hamer.
They had to wait until the 74th minute for the second when Hutchinson strode forward from right-back to latch onto a ball from Dexter Blackstock and slot the ball neatly past Hamer from an angle.
Charlton mustered little in the way of a goal threat but all that changed in the 86th minute when Chris Solly crossed for Fuller to score with a header that went in off the post within six minutes of coming on as a substitute.
Charlton manager Chris Powell praised Forest after his side's defeat, their first of the Championship campaign.
He said: "It's our first defeat but we have to accept that Forest are a very good side. They have players of Premier League quality in their side never mind the Championship.
"They moved the ball well at times but we came to terms with it in the second half even though we only played ourselves in fits and starts.
"But we will dust ourselves down, make use of the international break and we have a terrific game to look forward to in 13 days time when we have a south London derby against Crystal Palace."
Powell also confirmed that he left highly-rated Dale Stephens out of his squad amid speculation that he might leave before the transfer deadline.
Powell added: "I had to prepare the team for a football match and there was the possibility that Dale might leave at the 11th hour.
"I needed clarity in the team for today but he is a strong-willed boy and he will prepare himself for getting back in the team."
