Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, the Bundesliga's most expensive ever purchase, is already feeling insecure at his new club.
German international Gomez, who signed for more than 30 million euros during the close season from VfB Stuttgart, has netted six times in nine matches in all competitions this season but has frequently been substituted or left on the bench.
"I need full confidence for my game," Gomez said after scoring in the German Cup second round against Oberhausen on Tuesday.
"I have enough confidence from my home but when you are at a new club and you play the first six matches, you score goals and then you are taken off, you start wondering why?" he told reporters.
After scoring Bayern's second just before halftime against Oberhausen in their 5-0 win, Gomez was taken off to make way for Italian striker Luca Toni, returning after months out following a heel injury.
"I was brought in to get goals. Being substituted makes me insecure," he said.
Bayern have recovered from a slow start to the season and three successive league wins have moved them up to third, three points behind leaders Hamburg who they play away at on Saturday.
Undefeated Hamburg have the league's best attack with 16 goals in six games, despite being without injured striker Paolo Guerrero who will be out for months with a cruciate ligament injury.
Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, level on 14 points with Hamburg, travel to improving Cologne while fourth-placed Hoffenheim entertain Hertha Berlin, under immense pressure following five straight defeats that have sent them to the bottom of the table.
