Having been one of the stars under Russell Martin during the head coach's early stages as Swansea City boss, Jamie Paterson's career quite simply hasn't gone to plan in more recent times.
The attacker had netted eight goals and registered four assists prior to being left out of five successive matchday squads owing to his contract dispute with Swansea's owners in January 2022.
After that spell away, the attacker chalked up six further goal involvements in the final stages of his debut season in south Wales but, following an injury after signing a contract extension, he failed to kick on in his second campaign at the club.
He appeared all-but certain to depart in January, and, even after an exit failed to materialise, Martin admitted there was no place for Paterson in the squad in the short term.
However, having returned to action at Luton Town last month, Paterson made his first start for the Swans in almost four months at Wigan Athletic on Monday and finally showed signs that he could once again be a key player for the club.
Indeed, the 31-year-old gave Charlie Hughes and Tendayi Darikwa heaps of problems on the Latics' right flank while it was his guile and directness that led to Joel Piroe's opener at the DW Stadium.
Paterson - who was replaced by Liam Cullen in the 73rd minute - ended the contest having had two shots, two dribbles while he also chipped in with two tackles which typified his willingness to put in a shift defensively. He also appeared to be unfortunate not to win a penalty in the opening half.
"I thought Pato was outstanding out there today," Martin said of the playmaker's efforts against Shaun Maloney's outfit.
"I think he enjoyed himself, I thought he was outstanding, particularly in the first half. He got a bit tired in the second half, but I'm really pleased for him.
"I've spoken to you a few times recently about his energy and about how good he's been with the group and how well he's trained.
"I think it's just got to a point where he physically feels 100 per cent in himself and we haven't quite had that all season really. It's difficult sometimes when you don't physically feel 100 per cent to mentally, spiritually or whatever you want to call it be at 100 per cent as well and give every ounce of energy you have.
"It's difficult, it's frustrating but it's part and parcel of being a footballer. But he's bounced back really well and he's come back after a tough time for the team, and I don't think it's coincidental that the energy in the group has been good and, even though he hasn't been on the pitch as much as he'd want, and today's his first start, he's definitely helped us get the results we want."
Martin knows only too well of the importance of his side's run-in, and the Swans are making a good fist of ending the campaign strongly having collected 10 of the last 12 points on offer.
For a player like Paterson who may well have been deemed surplus to requirements in the summer, the final five games of 2022/23 are immensely important to him too.
Swansea are likely to lose a number of players following the conclusion of the current campaign, and Paterson could yet be one of them. Although, with an impressive showing at Wigan, he did at least show there was light at the end of the tunnel following a turbulent 15 months for the player.
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