As we enter the dying embers of 2017, who would you rate as our most improved player of the year ?
In my view, it has to be Mark Ridgers. I confess that when Robbo signed him I thought it was a terrible move and the first few months seemed to confirm that. His form was terrible, his confidence was shot and it was abundantly clear that the defence had no confidence in him. We were haemorrhaging goals and Mark was directly at fault for many. I was surely not alone in wondering why we were paying OFW a relative fortune and not playing him.
Mark was dropped, rightly so and not before time. However, when he got his turn again he seemed a transformed player grapping the opportunity, both literally and metaphorically, with both hands. He is now a safe, competent and, above all, confident 'keeper who has made game winning or game saving saves time and time again. It's clear that the defence have much more confidence in him and that has given them the freedom to play much better. I still wonder why we are paying OFW so much for no return but I no longer wonder why we are not playing him.
So, well done Mark Ridgers, my choice as our most improved player of the year. Congratulations and keep up the good work for 2018.