Newcastle United midfielder Mohamed Diame has confessed to not being good enough in recent weeks, but that shouldn't save him from the axe.
The former Hull City man has been underwhelming over the course of his last few performances and should be dropped for either Ayoze Perez or Aleksandar Mitrovic.
With such talent sitting on the bench, complacency cannot be allowed to linger for the Magpies - and despite the fact that Diame had a good season during 2015/2016, his line of credit is nearly up.
"When Rafa Benitez called for me, he called me for more than I am giving at the moment," theChroniclereported that Diame said.
"As I say, I am still working hard, that's why I think I am still in the team, but need to give more offensively.
"I think we all love playing games, better than training, so happy to play every three days. We rest when we have to rest."
United welcome Brentford to St. James' Park on Saturday and it couldbe the perfect moment to drop the Senegal international and add a little variety to the Toon attack.
Diame has shown small bursts of quality this campaign, especially when he played an inch perfect through ball to Dwight Gayle during the win against Bristol City early in the season,but you cannot live on pasts deeds forever.
A spell away from the team might allow the midfielder to recapture his best form or it might give him the drive and determination to prove Benitez and the Newcastle backroom staff wrong for dropping him.
But it will also give fringe players the chance to impress and nail down a more regular starting position. Despite being an excellent player previously, Perez has been one of those on the fringes and would welcome the chance for a run of games in the first XI.
The inclusion of Mitrovic would bring a different dimension to the attack and would allow Gayle the freedom of playing alongside a strike partner. The inherentdifferences in both their games could actually compliment each other well.
It's refreshing to hear such honestly from a footballer, but that shouldn't save him from the axe if he's in abad run of form.