Zak Vyner may take a moment of reflection when he sits in the away changing room before kick-off at the Liberty Stadium, English folk music blaring out from the speaker.
It was at this stadium 11 months ago when Bristol City conceded three second-half goals to blow Andi Weimann's lead to leave Nigel Pearson taking aim at his defenders for their "flimsy" performance.
The manager was so furious he refused to take a seat in his post-match press conference and raged: "We might have to make changes because people like me lose my job through results. What I’m not having is, I’m not having players who cop out.
"Maybe we’ve got players in our squad at the moment that have got until now and the end of the season to prove whether they’re good enough to be here next year whether I’m the manager or anybody else."
For Vyner, it was a damning afternoon. He was guilty of failing to track Michael Obafemi's run at the back post for the equaliser and was nutmegged by Joel Piroe for the third in the pouring rain.
After that game he only saw 45 minutes of league action, spent seven games warming the bench and a further six out of the squad entirely. In summary, Vyner's City career appeared over and he admitted himself he had conversations to leave the club in the summer.
What a difference a year makes. When Vyner walks out onto the pitch this evening for City's FA Cup third round replay, no longer can he be considered a scapegoat having changed opinions for his consistent performances this season.
As it stands, he is certainly one of the contenders for the Player of the Season and one of the first names on the teamsheet having started all-but one league match which he was forced to miss through illness.
Vyner knows how quickly things can change in football and for that reason, he's refusing to get ahead of himself. Speaking last week, he said: "I feel like I've had a good season. I'm just trying to keep it rolling.
"I'm not trying to think too much about it and I know it's a cliche but I'm just trying to think about the next one. It is literally that. I'm not trying to think too deeply about it but I'm just getting on with business.
"It is a confidence thing, it is a trust thing and it is a game-time thing for sure. I think all players are going to look a little shakey if they're playing one game in and one game out and that's just football.
"I don't want to settle with that, I want to kick on and make sure I'm always improving and taking steps to the next level and develop my game. I've tried to up my game in all aspects this season and in possession, if we're trying to pass the ball a lot more then me, Kal (Naismith) and Rob (Atkinson) - whoever is at the back - it's important with our distribution in starting phases and starting attacks.
"I think for myself I've tried to look at that and improve little areas and try to give that extra one per cent or little lift in any area of my game that I felt was needed."
Vyner has been open and honest about the uncertainty that surrounded his City future during the summer. His form in pre-season and a lack of defensive options with Tomas Kalas' injury meant the club couldn't afford to let him leave.
Not many City supporters could have predicted his turnaround in fortunes. It's not all been perfect but he's eradicated those individual errors that hampered his game while his responsibility in the team continues to grow.
"I saw myself playing (this season) and as I said previously, where that was I didn't know but I saw myself playing this year," Vyner added. "That was a goal I set out, I was going to play football this season.
"I'm happy that I have been given that role and the responsibility has fallen on me to play the majority of games and I'm more than happy to grab that with two hands and run with it."
There is uncertainty about how the defence will look by the end of the January transfer window. Pearson's switch to a back four at the weekend saw Naismith push into a defensive midfield role with Vyner playing alongside Atkinson.
Whether he can or not, Pearson wants to bring in a new central defender while Kalas is also closing on a return to action to provide added competition at the back. If anything, it will only provide further motivation for Vyner to maintain his standards.
Then there's the small matter of his contract. His current deal expires at the end of the season but there is an option to extend that for an extra year, which as Vyner insinuates, hasn't been activated yet.
"You know as much as me, mate," he said with a chuckle when quizzed on his contract situation. That option to keep him at the club until 2024 will surely be taken up not only because he's an integral player but also because it gives City another element of financial security.
However, if he continues to maintain his form, then surely a shiny new contract may not be too far away.
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