If Kristian O'Leary has been asked the question once this week, he's been asked it a hundred times . . . "Do you have any regrets about not taking up Cheltenham's offer of a three-year contract in the summer?''
He probably knew it was coming as Cheltenham, the place he spent last Christmas on loan, prepared for this afternoon's Boxing Day battle at the Liberty Stadium.
After all, having first pulled on a Swans shirt for his professional debut way back in March 1996, there probably hasn't been a question he hasn't been asked by the local scribes over the years.
But while Swansea's Testimonial man maintained his usual level headed approach to his response, it was plain to see that he meant every word when he declared for the countless time: "Regrets? None whatsoever; why should I?
"Swansea are flying high in League One; still in the FA Cup and in the area semi-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. You can't ask for more than that.
"Yes,'' he admits, "I am disappointed not to have played more games this season, but I'm not going to fee sorry for myself. I made my decision and I'll stand by it.''
The determination is typical of a man who has seen everything at Swansea since joining the club as a 14 year old Port Talbot schoolboy.
There's been relegation, promotion, administration, 15 managers and even a Christmas sacking under the dark days of Tony Petty.
But not even the tempting offer of a three-year contract with Cheltenham in the summer could tempt him away from his beloved Swans.
Instead, O'Leary chose to take up the offer of a one-year deal at the Liberty Stadium with the option of an extension if he plays a certain number of first team games.
While the midfielder is not prepared to unveil that total, he's determined to remain part of the Swansea City furniture for at least another season after chalking up 13 league and cup appearances so far this campaign, with five of those coming off the bench.
"I believe I will be here next season,'' added the 30 year old. "Yes, like now, I've gone spells when I haven't been in the side, but I've always ended the season with between 20 and 30 games to my name.''
It's meant that not only has O'Leary gone on to make over 300 appearances for the club, but he's built up a reputation for himself as the man for the big occasion.
"It's quite funny really, the times I've found myself out of the side I've also found myself called back to play in some massive games,'' he adds.
Those "massive'' games include promotion clinchers at Rotherham and Bury; a Football League status survivor against Hull; League One Play-Off Final and Football League Trophy showdowns at the Millennium Stadium.
"My target at the start of every season is the same; to enjoy my football and play as many games as I can.
"My philosophy is also the same; to work hard on the training field and wait for my chance to come.
"I'm feeling fit and want to play regularly. The manager knows that and he's told me to be ready for when that time comes.
"It's a long season and when the games are coming as thick and fast as they are now, this is the time when your squad is really put to the test.''
But O'Leary feels the Swansea squad is well equipped to face everything that will be thrown at them between now and May.
"This is probably the biggest and best quality squad I've seen in my time at the club,'' he adds. "A lot of the boys, and the manager, have also experienced the disappointment of being top of the league at Christmas (two seasons ago) only to slip down into the play-offs. And, as you know, we lost in the final.
"But I think we are better prepared this time around. Two seasons ago we had just been promoted and a lot of people were quick to write us off, predicting we would come straight back down.
"Although we failed at the final hurdle, I think we proved a lot of people wrong. And while we just missed out on the play-offs last season, I think the disappointment has made us a lot stronger as a team and a club.''
But O'Leary is experienced enough not to look too far ahead, hammering home to his less experienced team-mates that they must face the challenge one game at a time. Then, and only then, will they find themselves with enough points at the end of the campaign to start celebrating.
That first challenge starts with the visit of Cheltenham today - a club that O'Leary knows fairly well.
While at the time he regarded Kenny Jackett's decision to send him out on loan to the Robins last Christmas as something of a low, it proved a good move.
Having spent the previous few months injured and then out of favour, it gave O'Leary the chance to get five first team games under his belt and return to Swansea on December 23 match fit and ready to answer the manager's SOS call.
A mini-injury crisis left the Swans thin on the ground and O'Leary went straight onto the bench for the Boxing Day game at Crewe; Huddersfield four days later and then grabbed a starting place for their third round FA Cup clash at Premiership Sheffield United.
Swansea's longest serving player produced an outstanding display at Bramall Lane and set up Tom Butler's opening goal in a giant-killing 3-0 win.
"I was a bit apprehensive about going to Cheltenham at the time because it was the first time in 11 years as a pro I had played for anyone else apart from Swansea.
"But I really enjoyed it and it certainly proved the right decision. It's a nice club and they made me feel welcome. They wanted to keep me longer, but it was always my intention to come back after a month.''
It was still enough time to impress Robins' boss John Ward who made that three-year contract offer in the summer.
But loyal O'Leary opted to stay with the club he supported and played for as a boy - and he intends to stick around for quite some time to come. And so say all of us.
Kristian O'Leary is currently celebrating his Testimonial year and waiting for available dates from the club to confirm a Testimonial game at the Liberty Stadium. In the meantime, Swans fans can support a special player who has served the club so well for 16 years by picking up a copy of his Testimonial brochure from the club shop, priced £5.
What they said about Kristian . . .
Roger Freestone
"If Swansea had 11 Kristian O'Leary's, they would be pushing for a place in the Premiership, never mind the Championship.
Kris is a bloke who will run through a brick wall for you, a real 150 per cent man every week. That makes him the sort of player you would want in your side, not lining up against you."
Garry Monk
"It's a fantastic achievement to have been at the club so long. There aren't many players nowadays who show the loyalty he has to one team, and that tells you what kind of lad he is.
I've only been here for the last few years, but from what I can see his contribution to Swansea has been exceptional.
He's an honest lad and he has a never-say-die-attitude - the game probably needs more people like him."
Lee Trundle
"Kristian is an unsung hero. Other people will grab most of the headlines, but the simple fact is that you need players like Kris in your team if you want to win matches.
Swansea is in Kris's heart - and you can see that every time he goes into a tackle. He is committed in everything he does and that's because he loves the club.
I have always said that he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet if I was picking the side."
Alan Curtis
"It says something about Kristian that he is still at Swansea when you think how many managers he has played under - it shows what a creep he is!
Seriously, it tells you what a survivor Kris is, because he has seen the lot since coming through the ranks.
As well as numerous bosses, he has lived through financial problems, promotion and relegation, the emotion of leaving Vetch Field and the start of life at the new stadium.
The fact he's still there flying the flag is a tribute to him. He has been a credit to himself and to his family."
John Hollins
"As a manager, he is the just the sort of player you want. It doesn't really matter where you play Kris either - you can put him anywhere and he will do you a job.
He is a good professional; someone who has looked after himself, worked hard to keep fit and is now reaping the benefits."
Kenny Jackett
"Kris has made an outstanding contribution to Swansea City. He was terrific to work with, has a high level of enthusiasm in training, wanting to improve all the time for both himself and the team.
He is a person who will give 100 per cent to everything he does and is an asset to the club."
Roberto Martinez
"It was a pleasure to share the dressing room with Kristian as a player and an even bigger pleasure as a manager. I hope we can see Mr Reliable wearing our Swansea City shirt on the pitch for many years to come.''
