CARL FLETCHER has reflected on a strange footballing season where is found himself frozen out of the team at Crystal Palace, then the high of skippering Wales in Iceland to then being carried off injured and missing out on the finale in Holland today.
He said: "I can't lie - this year has been very difficult for me at times. Football wise, it's probably been the toughest year I've had.
"But, personally, it's been fantastic, I'm married now and we've got a new baby and to be named captain topped it all off.
"I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind me saying that because she's always supported me and she will have been rooting for me out in Reykjavik.
"But then the injury happens and that just shows the way football is, the highs and the lows. Sometimes the game can kick you where it hurts, but all you can do is just get on with things.
"It's been like that for me this year and it just shows how funny football can be - one minute you're in the reserves and the next you're captaining your country.
"You have to learn that you never know what's around the corner. Things can go your way just as quickly as they can go badly."
Fletcher has a year to run on his Palace deal and at just 28 he wants a long term role in the Welsh side as well.
And he admitted: "It's not gone anywhere near as well as I would have liked with Palace and I would have liked to have played more, but it hasn't really worked out for me since Neil came in.
"When a new manager comes in, sometimes you can get the hump, but I prefer to just keep working hard because I'm a strong believer if you do that things will work out for you.
"But you do see other lads play week-in, week-out and I know next season is an important one for me.
"Sometimes you have to move on, sometimes you don't, but I want to make sure I'm part of things with Wales because I really believe these are good times for Welsh football."
And, after making his debut four years ago while still a lower-league player with Bournemouth, Fletcher added: "A lot has changed since I first came into the squad - there's been good times and bad, but now things are on the way up.
"I've been in a fair few squads since I first got called up when I was still with Bournemouth, and when you're at that level you don't tend to think this far ahead.
"I've seen a lot of faces come and go but you have to give John credit because he said he would bring youngsters through and try new things and he's done that.
"The players have responded fantastically well and we have good quality all around the pitch.
"As long as they keep the right attitude, then the sky really is the limit."