Jordan Roberts is grateful to Motherwell boss Graham Alexander for bringing him back to Fir Park - and the Hearts loanee is keen to repay his manager's faith.
Roberts joined the Jambos last year while Robbie Neilson's side were still in the Championship, but he's made just 12 appearances in maroon.
Motherwell first snapped the winger up on loan in January and he made a positive impact with three goals and two assists as Premiership safety was secured at Fir Park.
Alexander moved to bring him back to the club on a six-month loan deal at the end of the summer transfer window, and after making his first Premiership start since the move last week against Celtic, Roberts is satisfied.
"I was happy to come back," said Roberts. "I was happy to make my first start in a big game, which was good.
"It was just good to be back out on the pitch again. I felt fit, I felt healthy, and I still feel good.
"It was a bit of a slow one (his transfer). I knew that the opportunity might come around again, given my lack of games with Hearts. The gaffer showed faith in me.
"He's shown a trust in me. That's always important, to have a relationship with your boss. He calls the shots at the end of the day. So hopefully I can repeat what I did last season this time around."
It's a new changing room at Motherwell for Roberts. Last season's forwards like Devante Cole, Jake Hastie and Chris Long have been replaced by talents such as Kevin Van Veen, Kaiyne Woolery and Justin Amaluzor.
"There's a lot of new faces," explained Roberts. "You have to adapt as soon as possible coming into a new team. Everyone in the changing room has managed that well.
"We all get on perfect. We train hard and it shows on a matchday. We are all in it together. You can never get too comfortable with the club you are at.
"You want to be pushed for your place in the team by the player behind you. You don't want to get comfortable. Everyone here is super fit.
"We do a lot of work in the gym and out on the training pitch. There's not many injuries at the moment either so everyone is fighting for their place come matchday.
"The strength in depth is massive this year. If you are not performing, there is somebody waiting to come and take your place. The manager has assembled the squad he wants. Everyone is looking over their shoulder."
While Roberts admits the last year hasn't been straightforward, he's found ways of dealing with the stresses of football. Playing time is what matters now.
"I've been in football a while now and it is never easy," added Roberts. "There's always problems and things to overcome. You just need to do what you need to do, in order to keep healthy.
"You need to keep your mind in the game, perhaps have some distractions.
"Sometimes, you need to take yourself off and play golf, or something. But for me, to be given the opportunity to play again is important."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
