Everton midfielder Gareth Barry has taken aim at Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Barry would back himself to have done a job in City's engine room - if he had been given the chance by the hard-line boss.
He said: "Yeah, of course I would. I told the manager at the time that I'm confident and you are making the wrong decision.
"I still feel I can compete with these players here. But that is football - opinions. And in the end I had to respect him and move on.
"When somebody tells you they don't think you are good enough, that your face doesn't fit, you don't just roll over.
"You have got to back yourself. I had a few conversations but the manager's mind was made up. I presumed he had watched previous games and made his mind up on that.
"I said when he first came here that I wanted him to see me train - to see me play in a few pre-season games.
"I felt I gave a good account of myself. But once somebody's mind is made up, sometimes that's it.
"Any rejection hurts in life but that was that chapter. And as soon as I came through the doors here that was all forgotten about."
