Gareth Bale believes his new role at the heart of the Real Madrid side is to thank for his upturn in form with the Spanish giants.
The Welshman's performances last season were the subject of widespread criticism after a dream debut season when he scored in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals.
However, Bale has bounced back with Rafael Benitez installed as coach at the Bernabeu and helped supply four of Madrid's six goals as they thrashed Espanyol 6-0 on Saturday with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging five.
"I feel like I am more involved this year now. The first year you are running off adrenalin from having just signed. You are so happy to be at the club and that drives you on," he said.
"In the second year I felt a little bit left out wide and not getting so much of the ball, but now I feel involved in the play and I think that is showing in the games that I am able to assist goals and score goals."
Bale already has two goals to his name this season after netting a double in a 5-0 rout of Real Betis two weeks' ago as Rafael Benitez's men have responded in style to dropping two points in a disappointing 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon on the opening weekend of the season.
"The most important thing was to keep winning. We knew there was going to be a big game between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid this weekend and that somebody was bound to drop points so we had to take advantage of that.
"We are working hard on the training ground and on the pitch and it's coming together. We just want to score as many goals as we can.
"It was a bit strange with the transfer window shutting so late but we have been focused since day one.
"It was not the greatest result from the first game but we have come back very strong with a 5-0 and a 6-0. We are feeling confident and looking strong."