Cam Pring remains on a one-man mission to continue proving people wrong and convince others that he does have the ability to play for Bristol City.
By his own admission, it's been a hugely frustrating last six months for Pring who has found himself out of manager Nigel Pearson's plans. His start against Swansea at the weekend for his first in the league since April having been left out of the matchday squad for four of City's opening six matches.
The academy product was also left out of the last four matchday squads at the end of last season to leave justifiable question marks about where he fits in the manager's plans going forward. Injuries to Kal Naismith and Tomas Kalas and the illnesses to Rob Atkinson and Timm Klose forced the manager to turn to Pring against Swansea to make his first league start of the campaign.
The 24-year-old was certainly keen to make up for lost time with an impressive performance on the left of the back three. He deservedly kept his place in the side against Sheffield United and despite the defeat, turned in a showing that will no doubt keep him at the forefront of Pearson's plans.
"It's definitely been frustrating but you have to stay as positive as possible and keep training well and when you get your chance you have to take it," he said ahead of Saturday's game with Middlesbrough. "On Saturday I felt like I did that, Tuesday again. (Maybe) Not as tidy on the ball as Saturday but I think I did enough defensively to stay in the gaffer's mind.
"I feel like two games in the space of three or four days for me is quite tough and mentally wearing on me so it's good to get the minutes, test myself and prove to people that I can actually last the 90 minutes over the two matches.
"I feel like I'm good enough to play here and on a selfish note, you want to prove people wrong and say 'look, I am good enough to play here and I do want to play every single minute of the season' so you've just got to keep pushing and keep going."
Like many of his City team-mates, pre-season offered Pring a clean slate to impress and work his way back into the City side. Although it didn't quite go to plan.
In their first friendly against Cheltenham, Pring was introduced in the second half and instantly changed the dynamics of the game by assisting George Tanner to break the deadlock. A few moments later another surging run down the left and cross found Tommy Conway to make it two.
However, he would then pick up an injury to keep him out of pre-season and was therefore faced with the uphill task of working his way back into the squad. He added: "It felt like one step forward, two steps back.
"I felt like I started that pre-season flying and it was a massive set back and I think that took its toll in the opening games of the season. It has definitely been a challenge getting back in the team and hopefully, I can keep it now."
For Pring, much of his time out of the side has been a test of his patience and character. With eight loan spells under his belt while coming through the ranks, he's no stranger to having to adapt to certain situations and he's been able to channel those experiences during the periods he was on the sidelines.
"Every loan spell has been a step up. It's not like I've been in League Two and then the Championship, it's always been a gradual step up which has been good. It's character-building.
"When I get left out of the team I try not to get too frustrated because I'm away from home and just keep plugging away. I feel like it's a lot of character-building when you're not playing and not getting too angry or getting too frustrated. Definitely take the rough with the smooth."
His absence from the side has been somewhat of a mystery. When asked if he could clarify the decision, he said: "I can't really give you an answer for that.
"The gaffer picks the team and whatever he does is the final say. We've had a few chats, he told me to keep positive, keep working hard and I'll get my chance.
"There's a lot of stuff I've been working on in training to try and prove to the gaffer that I can play and be reliable. I think that's the main thing for me is being reliable on the pitch.
"Obviously, I can be positive when I've got the ball but defensively just be reliable, make no mistakes and just be as good as a defender as possible."
Pring was also keen to take motivation from Zak Vyner's resurgence in the team this season. His defensive partner fell out of favour last season and looked likely to leave in the summer but a lack of numbers at the back and financial constraints meant he remained with the club.
Vyner has now started every Championship game with Pearson singing his praises and Pring admits is working hard to follow in his footsteps. He said: "I think Zak has been the motivation for all of us because last season he obviously wasn't doing his best but now he's showing to everyone that he is miles above what he was last season.
"Everyone wants to aspire to that level. Pulling yourself out of that rut you were in and probably becoming that main man at the back at the minute."
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