Graham Taylor has admitted that leaving skipper Steve Staunton out of his starting line-up against West Brom last weekend was "the hardest decision" he has made since he returned to the club as manager nine months ago.
Taylor relegated the former Republic of Ireland international to the substitutes' bench and instead gave the nod to Ronny Johnsen alongside Olof Mellberg.
Staunton quickly returned to the action during the first half after Johnsen suffered a hamstring problem.
But Taylor admitted: "Knowing Steve as I do, it would have been hard for him to take not to be in the side and I would expect that.
"I would be most surprised and upset if he hadn't found it disappointing and the Steve Stauntons of this world are what professional footballers should be about.
"It was a very difficult decision to make - the hardest decision I have had to take since I came back to the club. But you have to do what you think is right in the circumstances.
"On this occasion I just felt that with the way West Brom play, the way they feed Jason Roberts and with his strength, that Ronny Johnsen was a better bet for us. I felt it was necessary to have pace.
"But Staunton has been absolutely first class for me. He has been very influential. He trains like he wants to play every game. He's achieved a lot in the game but still has that desire and hunger to play and to win. Like I said, he is everything a professional footballer should be."