Kevin Austin may be as solid as a rock, but the big defender knows that securing a permanent place in the Swans defence is never guaranteed these days.
Austin cased a few eyebrows to be raised in the first half of the season by producing an impressive run of form that knocked a few 'regulars' out of the Swansea rearguard.
And going into the home game with Oldham 10 days ago, Austin had started the previous 16 games in the Swans defence - a run that was only broken when the 34-year-old had to sit out the FA Cup tie at Ipswich through suspension.
Like most defenders, Austin has never been one to grab the headlines - he's happy to leave that to those further up the field - but he admits he's been pleased with his run in the side.
Having made 25 League appearances this season, it means he's already within four games of surpassing last season's total.
He was even been singled out for special praise by former manager Kenny Jackett, while assistant boss Kevin Nugent admitted he wouldn't have fancied coming up against the burly defender during his days as a striker.
But despite being disappointed at being left on the bench for the game against Oldham, Austin still had a smile on his face going into the game at Doncaster.
"Personally, I've been pretty pleased with the way things have gone so far,'' explained Austin. "Now I've just got to keep it going.
"I had a good run in the side up until the Oldham game and now it's up to me to get myself back in the side and put another run together.
"A few people have said I have been looking a lot fitter and sharper, but I haven't been doing any extra training or anything.
"I just think I've hit a bit of form and because I've been playing regular it has increased my fitness levels and my confidence.''
Swansea is Austin's eighth League club in a career that started and ended prematurely when he was released by Leyton Orient as a 14-year-old.
While Austin admits now that his attitude wasn't right as a youngster growing up in and around London, the former Trinidad and Tobago international turned his life around after the O's came back in for him with a professional contract five years later.
"I was given a second chance and I vowed after that not to take anything for granted,'' he said. "I've stuck by that promise.''
Austin played over 100 games for the Os in a six-year spell before moving to Lincoln in 1996 for £30,000. A three-year spell ended with a move to Barnsley and a loan spell at Brentford, before he added Cambridge and Bristol Rovers to his CV.
While Austin has tended to switch between left-back and centre-half since signing from Bristol Rovers in June 2004, he's taken it all in his powerful stride.
"I've never really been bothered whether I've been picked to play centre-back or left-back, as long as I'm playing,'' he added.
"But if I had to pick one position, I'd probably have to say that centre-half just edges it.
"I've had a run of games in that position recently and I think it does benefit your game when you are playing in the same position week in week out.
"It's helped me get a better understanding with Dennis Lawrence for starters. I rate Dennis very highly and he's one of the best organisers and talkers I've played with.
"But there is a lot of competition for places in the heart of defence. Izzy (Iriekpen) and Tatey (Alan Tate) are both very good players, while Garry Monk is also on his way back. It means you have to stay on your toes and on top of your game or face losing the shirt off your back.
"That's just the way it is in football. Even when you get praised by the manager, media or fans, you must never take your place for granted. I've always had that philosophy whatever club I've been at because once you become complacent, it opens the door a bit more for someone else.''
Having come so close to leaving the Liberty Stadium last summer before a clause in his contract triggered the offer of a new deal, Austin has definitely more than earned his place in the squad.
And despite slipping out of the automatic promotion places and losing a manager in Kenny Jackett, Austin is confident the Swans can make amends in the final third of the season - starting with high-flying Scunthorpe tonight.
"We've always been confident - and we will remain so,'' he added. "We will bounce back.
"Every side has a good run at some stage of the season. We haven't had ours yet so it's due - and there's no better time than now.
"Come what may, we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.''
At the end of the day, Austin knows he'll have no hiding place if it doesn't happen. In fact his life won't be worth living at home.
The father to two soccer-mad sons, Austin is under pressure to deliver for his boys Kyle, 7, and Aaron, 5.
"Because Kyle is older, he's into his football a bit more. He loves the Swans and comes down to watch regularly. He hasn't got to the stage yet though where he gives me too much stick if we lose.
"I think he's more interested what happens up front because he wants to be a striker. He's certainly got more talent than me in that position!
"At the moment he supports Manchester United as well, but I'm trying to convert him into a Spurs fan like me.''
Austin still travels in to work from his Bristol home every day, sharing the driving and the music with big hit-man Adebayo Akinfenwa.
It's not a car that drivers prone to road rage are advised to challenge!
