David Meyler is the first to admit he was stood towards the back of the queue when technical ability was dished out to this Hull City squad. "I'll never have the talents of Hatem Ben Arfa or Mohamed Diame that's for sure," he says.
For what he lacks in skill, though, Meyler compensates handsomely with application. And how Steve Bruce loves him for it.
On a night when City faced a stiff test of character after four consecutive defeats and a tumble into the Premier League's relegation zone, Meyler was one of the individuals trusted to stop the rot at Everton.
In his first Premier League start since May, the midfielder typified a team that stood up and was counted. A 1-1 draw with the Toffees was not the perfect reaction but it was a fixture that found a lost pulse in City's season.
"Every chance I get I make sure no one on that field works harder than me," said Meyler, who will hope to get another chance to prove it when West Brom visit the KC Stadium this afternoon.
"I've played for the manager for a long time and I know what's expected.
"What got me into his team was my work rate and my honesty to never give in or give up.
"I keep running until the final whistle. You've got to be willing to give everything you've got and die for the cause.
"The manager says if we run harder and work harder than the opposition, then usually we'll come out on top. That's what we've got to do, pull our own weight and be in it together."
If Meyler knows his manager's philosophy well after five years of service together at Sunderland and City, there have been question marks over the Tigers' spirit during his time on the fringes.
Recent defeats at Burnley and Manchester United were uncharacteristically soft for a side led by Bruce and demanded changes for the trip to Everton.
Along with fellow promotion winners Liam Rosenior and Stephen Quinn, Meyler seized his chance to plant roots back in the City side.
"It hasn't been fantastic for me not starting games but I'm here now and it's up to me to stay there," said Meyler, who helped shackle England left-back Leighton Baines when deployed on the right of City's midfield in midweek.
"It's been frustrating. I've obviously not played as much as I'd have liked.
"I would have loved to have played every minute of every game but it hasn't worked out like that.
"I've kept my head down and kept working hard and the opportunity arose on Wednesday night."
Despite featuring in 30 of 38 Premier League games last season, not to mention starting the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal, Meyler's opportunities have been scarce in 2014-15.
Before his midweek recall he had played just 83 minutes of league action and for the fixtures against Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Arsenal there was not even room found on the City bench.
There was never a moment's thought given to leaving the KC Stadium on loan, though. That response was emphatic.
"No, you don't get many opportunities in the Premier League," he said.
"It wasn't a case of knocking on his door because I knew an opportunity would arise.
"All I had to do was make sure I was in the right frame of mind to take it.
"I went to see him at one stage and said 'Don't forget about me', but he just said to keep going.
"It'll always be down to you individually. You can't let these things knock you back. My opportunity came and please god I took it."
If Meyler's season at domestic level has been one of frustration, events on the international stage have provided a consolation prize he never imagined possible.
As well as featuring in all but one of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifiers, he was made captain by manager Martin O'Neill for the friendly against USA last month.
"The manager called up the team and I was sat in the corner of the changing room," he recalled. "He looked over and said 'You'll lead us out.'
"I looked behind me thinking it was someone else. He said 'No David, you'll lead us out.'"
"It was a huge surprise. That was my 13th cap for Ireland. Shay Given was in goal that night so I was thinking it would be him.
"I suppose then you had best get focused and put it out of your mind but to be captain of your country, I was just keen to set an example. It was an amazing night."
Ireland won the game 4-1 thanks to a brace from City team-mate Robbie Brady and Meyler cannot smile wide enough at the memories.
"It was complete ecstasy," he said. "My mother and father and sister were at the game, my buddies and my grandmother were watching. It was an amazing feeling.
"Of all the things I'll do in my life, no one will ever take that away from me."
So does he fancy taking the armband again? A silly question.
He added: "Sadly I don't think I'll get the decision with that but whether you captain your club or your country it's a huge achievement. I suppose it comes down to the manager. I'd snatch it with two hands if it came again."
That is a guarantee Bruce will get this afternoon, too. Provided he retains his place in the starting XI for the visit of West Brom, Meyler will not leave anything in the tank as he bids to ensure the trip to Everton was not a false dawn for him and the Tigers.
"It's a must-win game, I suppose everyone can see that," said Meyler.
"It's going to be tough but West Brom is a game we can win."
