Manchester United striker Michael Owen hopes his goal in their FA Cup win over Southampton gives him a chance of a regular first team run.
Even when fit, the former Liverpool and England striker has found his chances few and far between, putting extra pressure on him every time he pulls on a United shirt.
"The last time I started a game was Scunthorpe away,' said Owen, understandably forgetting he also started against Sunderland a couple of matches later.
"I have been injured in the meantime but, when you do play, you have to perform.
"I did all right. It takes the pressure off a little bit."
Owen, whose job yesterday was made all the more difficult by being asked to play at the tip of a midfield diamond, added on MUTV: "It is frustrating, obviously, because you always want to play a bit more.
"But I am old enough and wise enough to know the manager's problems and the amount of players he has to keep happy.
"The hard bit is when you get asked - and your opportunities have been few and far between - the pressure is really on to play well.
"If you don't, you will get your criticism and all the rest of it, but you will probably have to wait another three months for a chance."
