NO player likes being among the substitutes, rather than in the starting line-up.
But the mood on the Nottingham Forest bench on a match day may just be slightly different to that at other clubs.
Because, in Billy Davies' side, substitutes can still play a starring role.
If you need an example, you must look no further than that of Lewis McGugan, a man whose six goals in six games have made him an integral figure for the Reds.
Five of those goals have come when he has come off the bench, earning himself a super-sub tag that he most certainly did not crave.
He is likely to find himself among the substitutes again today.
And, almost regardless of Davies' team selection against the Red Dragons, McGugan is likely to be among good company.
Another to have warmed the bench quite frequently, as the manager rotates his front line, is Dexter Blackstock.
The big striker is hardly used to playing a bit part role in recent years, having started the majority of games when he has been fit, since he established himself as a first-team regular at QPR.
But he says the current squad are more accepting and understanding when they find themselves among the substitutes under Davies – because they know they still have a good chance of playing a part.
The Scotsman has used all three substitutes in all ten of the matches he has been in charge so far, since returning for a second spell at the club.
And, much of the time, those changes; the men brought into the action, have had a decisive part to play.
"If we can maintain our level of performance, we know we have the strength in depth we need within the squad to cover us in any situation," said Blackstock.
"I don't know how many games since Billy returned have been influenced by players coming off the bench. But I imagine it is most of them.
"That is something that is vitally important. The manager does believe that, he does often feel that the players who come off the bench can have just as important a role as those who are in the starting line-up.
"And the players on the bench realise that as well.
"You know that you can still have a part to play if you are on the bench, you can come on and influence things.
"There is a real team spirit here. You know you can have a part to play whether you are in the starting line-up or not."
One section of the team that is currently more than playing their part is the Forest midfield.
Those six goals from McGugan have been vital in recent weeks, as Forest maintained their unbeaten start under Davies.
But Radi Majewski, Henri Lansbury and Andy Reid have also all chipped in with important goals.
And Blackstock admits that has taken the pressure off the Reds' strikers.
"It does take the pressure off the guys up front," he said.
"If the midfielders are chipping in with goals, it is definitely a big help to the strikers.
"At the start of the season, the midfielders did not get many goals, so the roles have been reversed, in a way.
"It is about getting a balance now. If we can get the strikers firing again, to add to that firepower in midfield, it will be a recipe for greatness.
"But the way we play was always going to see the midfielders scoring a few goals.
"The way we allow our midfielders to play; to get forward, was always going to see them getting more goals.
"They are given the freedom to get into advanced areas, to have shots from the edge of the box, to get in and around the goal.
"Before they did not always have that freedom.
"Look at Henri Lansbury and the areas he is popping up in now, to have shots.
"In the first half of the season, that was not happening. He hardly had a shot.
"It was the same with Radi and Lewis.
"Now, the way the midfield is set up by Billy gives them the chance to score.
"It is vitally important to us. But all we need now is for the strikers to start scoring.
"But with the midfielders we have, attack is always going to be the best form of defence.
"We can really cause teams problems. When we move forward, there are not many teams who can cope with us."
Blackstock does admit that there is room for Forest to tighten up at the back, however, with the club not having kept a clean sheet since early March, at Sheffield Wednesday, four matches ago.
"As long as we can shore things up at the back, it is a good balance," said Blackstock. "And we have shored things up at the back since Billy returned. We have not conceded many goals.
"If we go one goal up, we feel as though the match is ours to win.
"We have not been going ahead often enough. But, when we do, we know that we do not concede many at the back."
And, whatever happens, Forest know that they have plenty of options to call upon off the bench – and a manager who is not afraid to use them.
