Following an ineffectual 60 minutes on the pitch during Ireland's disappointing 1-1 draw with Georgia last month, Harry Arter found himself an unused substitute three days later against Serbia.
It was a tough position for Arter: someone looking to establish himself at international level - like he has done in the Premier League - appeared to have instead written himself into Martin O'Neill's bad books.
Speaking to Paul Rowan of the Sunday Times, Arter explained that an 'honest chat' with O'Neill before the 2-0 win against Moldova helped ameliorate the situation.
It was before the Moldova game that I spoke to the manager and we had an honest chat. It was great for him to come and see me. I told him that if I got the opportunity again I was not going to let it pass. I told him I would do everything I could to make sure I repaid him for giving me another chance.
Arter said that O'Neill wanted to know what was going through his mind during that game against Georgia, one which the 27-year-old admits he 'got lost in'.
The midfielder ended up playing 79 minutes against Moldova and then 77 against Wales three days later. He also played a major role in James McClean's winning goal.
Arter added that he is still adjusting to playing football with Ireland.
I am trying to adapt to a side which I am not used to playing with. I have been at Bournemouth for eight years now and am used to a certain style of play. You get into habits when you play football. I take up positions or I expect players to be in positions that I know Bournemouth would be in, but I have realised that that is not going to be the case here. I had a good chat with the manager and Roy [Keane] about wanting to change that and the determination to make sure I can be a success here and affect the game.
