Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell won't shy away from speaking out about club policy - even if it puts management offside.
The defender was told, just as publicly, to mind his own business and get on with the game. Yet, within a few days, Lassana Diarra, Milan Baros and Jermain Defoe were brought to the club at an estimated cost of around £14million - and Pompey have gone from strength to strength.
When he leads out the Premier League's sixth-placed club in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against West Brom, Campbell is entitled to think he has had more than a little to do with their improved new status.
He said: "Did I have a little chip then? I don't know. But I've always been like that, to be honest - at every club I've been with.
"I've always been that way because I want to help push the club on. It is in my nature.
"I think the main thing is I want to concentrate on playing football - winning this particular game, getting into the final and progressing from there.
"I don't think it is a case of justifying anything. Wherever you are you've got to try to win and keep winning - that's the main thing.
"Another opportunity has arisen now, not just for me personally but also for the rest of the team who just want to keep it going.
"West Brom are involved, and we just have to make sure we have more desire than them.
"But it's not just me. There are other players who have contributed and moved the club on. It's nice to have others joining in and helping them out. That's what you need."
