Fulham and Northern Ireland international Chris Baird has admitted that his time at Fulham has not been a bed of roses.
The 27-year-old has started just 28 games for the Cottagers since moving to London from Southampton in the summer of 2007.
He has not started a league game so far this term with Roy Hodgson preferring to use the defender in the Europa League and Carling Cup.
Baird said: "There have been ups and downs, but you're always going to have ups and downs throughout your career.
"It can get frustrating for any player if you're not playing, but when the team's doing well and getting results, it's always going to be hard to break in.
"My favourite position is centre-half. Thankfully Roy Hodgson knows my best position is centre-half and I feel more comfortable in there.
"I'm here whenever he needs me, whether it's to come on from the bench, because Hughes and Hangeland are doing such a good job at the minute, I'm being patient and waiting for my chance. When it comes along I know I can do a job.
"The Europa League is fantastic for the players that haven't been playing. It's a chance for us to show the manager and the fans what we can do and I think we've done fantastically well so far.
"We earned a good point out in Bulgaria and Basel was a hard game but thankfully we got all three points. Personally I've really been enjoying the competition."