Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Stewart Downing admitted he was bewildered as to why he found first-team opportunities limited as he reflected on the previous campaign.
Rovers revealed last month that Downing was one of five senior players who were to depart the club upon the expiry of their contracts, with the 36-year-old signing a deal until the end of the 2020/21 season in November.
In his closing chapter, Downing made 18 appearances for Rovers - only two of which were starts - as the former Middlesbrough ace was consigned to a bit-part role in the squad.
Even when Rovers' form nosedived in February, Downing found starting opportunities at a premium and the midfielder considered his situation in recent months to be overwhelmingly puzzling, agreeing that it felt like a 'wasted season'.
"At my age it's difficult to come in once a month, but with the way it's gone for me I said if I wasn't playing I would probably retire and call it a day," Downing explained to BBC Radio Lancashire.
"For me, it's all about playing. And I've found that very frustrating.
"When we were losing games towards the end I just thought I would have got more games. That's the reason why I thought they brought me back, to come in and play some games but I didn't play often.
"I wasn't starting to hate it but I was training all week knowing I wasn't going to play and it's difficult. I'm just enjoying my time at home with the family and when they return for pre-season I'll probably announce that I will retire."
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There was uncertainty over Downing's future last summer following the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign with Rovers offering a contract extension - of which he accepted - only for the club to retract their offer a few weeks later, leaving him deserted with no club and little options.
He was critical of the way Tony Mowbray and the club handled that situation, having considered calling it a day before Rovers eventually returned in November.
And despite impressing in several of his cameos against the likes of Millwall, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday, Mowbray was reluctant in selecting the veteran on a consistent basis, an outlook Downing couldn't fathom in the midst of a dire losing streak.
"I just couldn't get the pitch time," he added. "I'd agreed a contract straight away at the end of last season and then they rang me up just before pre-season saying that deal is off because we only have a certain amount of budget and we needed to get some players in.
"It was disappointing because you go back on your word. I said to the manager that you don't really do business that way, I don't think. You've left me hanging a little bit now, especially at my age.
"Then it looked like I was going to retire then as the season had already got underway and then all of a sudden they call me back in November with a Covid problem and injuries, thinking I'd get a chance to play.
"But it didn't really seem like it and once everyone got back to fitness I was on the bench, in and out of the squad. We done this rotation where you were in and out of the bench, which I wasn't happy with. I think you should be picked on merit.
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"When we were losing games I just thought I would get a chance in the team and to claim a place but the manager thought we were still playing well and the team was getting better, even if the results weren't.
"But he thought the performances were good. He's the manager, he picks the team but I felt if you're going to bring me back at least give me some games or a chance to play more."