Almost nobody is safe from the axe at Manchester City, but if there is one player guaranteed still to be starring in blue come the end of the January transfer window, then it is surely the club's mercurial Brazilian forward Robinho.
With 12 goals to his name already in his debut season - 11 of them in the Barclays Premier League - the 23-year-old has written his name large over the brief history of the world's richest football club.
But the former Real Madrid player revealed the threat of being replaced by fresh blood has contributed to City's recent struggles under Mark Hughes.
'It is incredible that with this squad we have appeared to be fighting relegation,' Robinho mused on Monday. 'I must admit I don't really understand it and it has been the one question talked about more than any other in our dressing room.
'One theory I have is that the constant rumours about possible reinforcements in January have damaged us in some way.
'Some of my team-mates do perhaps fear for their future and that is not positive, I guess. But there is nothing we can do about that apart from try not to let it affect us.'
City boss Hughes - breathing a little easier this week after a win at home to Hull and a draw at Blackburn on Sunday - has spoken of the unique pressures on his players ahead of a transfer window that will see him add up to six names to his under-achieving squad.
Hughes has urged his team to follow the example of midfielder Stephen Ireland, who has used the increased tension at the club this season as a spur to take his game to a new level.
As for Robinho, his contribution has been fitful because of an ankle injury this month, but he was back to his influential best as he scored a precious equaliser four minutes into added time at Ewood Park on Sunday. And he believes the 2-2 draw against their neighbours from Lancashire can spark a better second half of the season.
He said: 'If we show the pride that we did in the last game then we will be OK. We will get better and better and the things that have happened in the last few weeks will be forgotten about.
'Other teams would have given in after Blackburn scored the second goal against us with only a few minutes left, but we didn't. To come back to equalise was morally and mentally very important for us.
'We can move up the table now. With more unity and some more fight, we will be fine. If we can give more of that then it will be positive for our league position.'
Robinho is one of three Brazilians in City's first-team squad and has been taken to the hearts of the club's supporters. Compatriots Elano and Jo have seen less success this season, though, with both players struggling to impress Hughes.
Despite playing in the last two games, Elano faces an uncertain future under a manager who is suspicious of his attitude, while Jo has yet to look anything like a Premier League player since his £18million arrival from CSKA Moscow in the summer.
Robinho said: 'The problems we have had at City are not just the fault of these two players. If a squad fails it is because of all the players, not just one or two.
'The club's directors will decide about the future of these players but, as far as I am concerned, Elano and Jo are 100 per cent professional and committed to the club.
'My own relationship with Mark Hughes is positive. I follow his orders on the field and I am scoring goals. Now I believe I am offering somewhere near the level that I did at Madrid.
'But I have to say that still I am not really happy with my performances. People have not seen the big Robinho yet. They have not seen the real Robinho.
'I want to be king of Manchester City. I said that when I left Real Madrid, but I don't think I have achieved it yet. People have mentioned that I could be the top scorer in the Premier League. That has never been my aim but I guess it is possible.
'My priority is to help City become a major force in England. If I can do that then I will be happy and the personal things can come after that. If I am scoring goals then I am happy.
'I have scored some beautiful goals and the reaction from the supporters has been fantastic. But I want to bring an even greater spectacle to English grounds and I promise I will score more great goals in the second half of the season.'
