Liam Palmer has had a large chunk of game time this season for Sheffield Wednesday.
The defender has made 19 appearances this term, starting and finishing 18 of them and coming on as a substitute one time to play 31 minutes.
It’s safe to say his position in the team has been pretty much nailed down.
But what next for the 27-year-old?
Sheffield Wednesday added the signing of Dominic Iorfa on deadline day to see competition arrive for a place in the side at right-back.
You have to put yourself in the position of Palmer, who will be seeing this as a sink or swim situation.
But it is not the be-all-and-end-all for the Owls’ permanent right-back.
Look at it this way, with Steve Bruce coming in; Palmer would have had to impress the new boss – signing Iorfa does little to change that, as he will still have to do what he can to impress the new manager.
It’s easier said than done to keep his place in the side, but there will certainly be some trepidation from the 27-year-old over his future in the team.
Competition brings the best out of players, but considering his stay in the side was all but set in stone, doubt could creep into his mind, especially with the new boss adding a player in his position.
Doing that should make Palmer determined to prove Bruce wrong, and shine a light on his ability to overcome a challenge.
Palmer should be determined, and not slighted at the arrival of the Wolverhampton Wanderers man.
This is merely a test and one that, if he wants to have a future at the club, will need to pass to gain favour with the new Owls boss.
There’s still plenty of football to be played this season, and Palmer now has a head-to-head challenger to his place in the side.
The battle will be intense, it will feisty, but it will ultimately make both involved better players.
Palmer has every right to sulk over the signing, but that will get him nowhere.
But determination, fight and grit are what is needed to overcome this hurdle and remain a fixture in the side during Bruce’s reign as manager of the Hillsborough club.