No player has had a seamless, linear progression from novice professional to reliable veteran. Fluctuations in form are all part of a professional footballer's journey.
Many over the years have said the first dip in performance is the hardest, particularly when a youngster has made such a strong first impression. That was the case for Bristol Rovers defender Luca Hoole, who was an unlikely hero of Joey Barton's promotion-winning team last season.
The 20-year-old right-back was thrown in at the deep end and he thrived, going on to make 32 appearances, starting 19 of the final 20 games as Rovers surged into League Two's top three with a sprint finish. The Welshman has had to endure something of a sophomore slump since stepping up into the third tier, with Barton speaking plainly about the player's struggles.
