Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has admitted this season has been a tough one to stomach.
The Bluebirds shot stopper is undoubtedly one of the most talented in the division and even won the club's Player of the Season award last year following their campaign in the Premier League.
But he certainly hasn't enjoyed the rub of the green this term.
He sustained a nasty hamstring injury in the very first game, the away defeat by Wigan Athletic, and endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines before finally regaining the gloves after City's chastening 4-2 loss away to West Brom.
But he was soon consigned to the touchline again in January, with manager Neil Harris citing both speculation over a move to West Ham and a dip in form.
And while he remains positive, the upward trajectory of his Cardiff City career appears just to have levelled off in this campaign, which is doubtless a source of frustration for him.
"The fans are great," he said in response to a question on the MoAliFC podcast. "I've been at the club for two-and-a-half years now, two fantastic seasons previously, but obviously this year is a tough one.
"Being injured first game of the season and obviously what's going on now (coronavirus), it's really tough for any sportsman.
"The first two years, it took me six months to get my feet under the table at the club. The second half of my first season was much better.
"And in the Premier League the support was fantastic, home and away, sellout stadiums win, lose or draw. The supporters were in full voice and that's a massive credit to them."
The memories of those days in the Premier League are still in the forefront of his head, but this season he has seemingly been usurped by Alex Smithies, a top goalkeeper in his own right, of course.
But the Philippines international will be desperate to seek regular football again following his outstanding season between the sticks last year, which catapulted him into the spotlight and saw Aston Villa register an interest in signing him last summer.
Having to watch Cardiff's Championship campaign largely from the bench - he has played in just 16 of the 37 games - after being named the club's best player in the toughest league will likely stir frustration.
When thinking of his season in the Premier League, however, there are a number of difficult opponents which stand out to him as his toughest adversaries.
"Marcus Rashford was very good," he said, "I'm talking about his movement as well, off the ball, was scary.
"Sergio Aguero, everyone knows how good his finishing is, but to play up against him.... these top players, until I played against them I didn't realise how good they were.
"All the top ones, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, I remember conceding a goal against Mane at Anfield and I don't remember seeing the ball!
"Bernardo Silva at our place, I think the ball crashed against the crossbar and into the net and I was wondering where the ball even went!
"The top guys are at their peak and at the best level in the best league in the world."
Etheridge has been at Cardiff almost three years now. He grew up in London, first entering the Chelsea academy at 12 before moving to Fulham at 15.
Having lived in the English capital for the large majority of his life, however, he thought he would struggle with moving to Wales.
But he has revealed that enjoying the serenity of the Welsh countryside has come as a pleasant surprise to him.
When asked what his favourite thing about Wales is, he replied: "How peaceful and quiet it is!
"There is nothing around me, just fields and fields. I love it, to be honest.
"I've lived here nearly three years. I was born in a city and I didn't think I'd ever want to leave the city life.
"But, coming out here, how peaceful and quiet it is, I've enjoyed it. It's nice to come away from training and relax, get away from the pressures and get away from football and enjoy the downtime!"
