Blades of glory
As part of skysports.com's Championship spotlight, Chris Burton catches up with Sheffied United loan star Nyron Nosworthy.
.There is no shame in biting the bullet and stepping down a level if you find yourself frozen out at one particular club.
An all-encompassing desire to play as often as possible is a positive trait, and one which a few more of today's pampered stars could do with taking on board.
It goes without saying that everyone would like to spend their entire career strutting their stuff at the highest possible level, but this is not always possible.
Nosworthy: Opportunity to impress
Managers can only field 11 players at any particular time and they will always have their favourites and those they are not so fond of.
Should you fall into the latter category, for whatever reason, then the best option would be to seek the quickest route to the exits.
A loss of form, added competition for places, a difference of opinion - whatever the reasons for your continued omission from the side, it is best to put the issue to the back of your mind and move on.
There is no need to completely jump ship, after all times change and you may find yourself back in favour at your parent club before too long.
A loan deal is therefore the best option, providing an opportunity to stretch the legs and reacquaint yourself with the rigours of competitive action.
A short-term contract may well turn into something more permanent, if all parties are in agreement, or it could turn into an unmitigated disaster.
Either way the outcome is positive for the player involved, with new employment secured or a return to more pleasant surroundings offering something to look forward to.
Nyron Nosworthy is among the loan stars currently plying their trade in pastures new, with a lack of opportunities at Sunderland this term forcing his hand.
Exciting
He agreed to join Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United in February, with Blades boss Kevin Blackwell only too happy to bring his considerable experience on board.
Nosworthy is confident he has made the right decision, with the burly centre-half delighted to be back doing what he does best - providing a reliable last line of defence.
"Basically, in my position, I wanted to play football so that was the main reason behind coming here," he told skysports.com's Chris Burton.
"But joining Sheffield United also appealed because they are pushing and trying to get promotion.
"I have been in that sort of situation before with Sunderland and it is something exciting to be part of. I thought they were a good club, and they really sold the club to me, so I thought it was a good idea to move here."
Nosworthy had other options to consider once making it clear he wanted to try his luck away from the Stadium of Light, but admits the Blades tabled the most attractive offer.
He added: "Portsmouth were one of the clubs interested, but they obviously speak for themselves!
"I came down to the club (Sheffield United) and the manager really wanted me here and that helped to make up my mind. I thought it was a good opportunity."
Having fallen out of favour under Steve Bruce at Sunderland, and with the Black Cats well stocked for centre-halves, Nosworthy accepts his time in the North East may be coming to a close, but for now he is fully focused on giving his all for Blackwell's Blades.
"I hope the rest of the season goes well. I am just focusing on playing as much football as possible and to help Sheffield United go up," he said.
"At this point in time I am focused on doing my best for Sheffield United, but I will sit down with Steve Bruce at some point and decide what I'm going to do next."
Unfortunate
Understandably, Nosworthy would prefer to be offered a route back into the Premier League, be that at Sunderland, Sheffield United or wherever, as he has spent a large chunk of his career at that level.
"There is no better place to play your football than the Premier League, and that's what I want to do," he said.
"I want to finish off my career in the Premier League. But when clubs are not doing too well managers have decisions to make, whether they be good ones for you or bad ones. That's just part of football."
The 29-year-old defender sees no reason why he cannot help Sheffield United secure a return to the big-time this season, with the Blades currently on the fringes of the Championship play-off places.
He said: "Definitely. When I came here I already knew a few of the lads and I have worked with some of them before day-in, day-out so I know what they are about and how much they put in.
"Some of them are unfortunate that they are not playing in the Premier League already, but that's a very high standard to reach. But I believe the team is capable of making it into the Premier League if we can get on a good run.
"We just have to try and maintain a winning formula and keep going. At this point in time we have won a few games recently so we are confident that we can push on and win two, three or four on the bounce and push up into the top six positions."
Nosworthy has prior experience of life in the Championship, having turned out in the second tier for both Gillingham and Sunderland, but admits the bar has been raised since he was last involved at this level.
"It's a lot more physical and you don't get as much time on the ball. I have played some of my football in the Championship before so I know what it's about but you don't get a rest and it's a lot more physical," he said.
"In the Premier League there is a lot more class but there are clubs now in the Premier League who are very physical as well. In terms of quality it's a bit different and it does take some getting used to.
"I think it has got a lot better, though, since I last played at this level. There are more teams now who try to play football."
Spending
The worry for sides battling bravely to clamber out of the Championship is that they will struggle to compete with England's elite should they be able to make the step up.
Clubs know promotion must be accompanied by a summer rebuilding programme, which can cost inordinate amounts of money, but Nosworthy believes that, in the wake of ongoing financial difficulties, the playing field is beginning to level out.
"It has over recent years," he said.
"That's the hardest part of going up though. When clubs go up they know they have to spend to compete in the Premier League and improve their squad.
"Some managers have done really well, though, at that level without breaking the bank, so it can be done. If you have a squad which is full of youngsters, like ours, anything is possible and you know the revenue will go up in the Premier League so there is a chance to add.
"Finances do come into things when you go up into the Premier League, but it's something you have to deal with if and when that happens."
While helping Sheffield United into the play-off picture remains Nosworthy's priority at present, he has not given up on his international ambitions.
He has made himself available for Jamaica, and was drafted into their squad back in 2007, but he is yet to make an appearance for the Reggae Boyz and admits he is uncertain as to whether he figures in the thoughts of the current coaching regime.
He said: "At this point in time I am still available. But I don't really know what the situation is with it and with the coach.
"I haven't been paying too much attention to it. If the opportunity arose again, though, I would definitely look at it."International football is always good to be involved in if you get the chance. It would be something I would like to do. As long as I am fit, which I am, then it's a possibility."
