Ryan Fredericks is beginning to look a pretty good free signing after what he admits has been a difficult first season at the club.
His first goal for the club against Saints yesterday came during a display where he again showed that he has the speed and athleticism to beat most players down the right side whilst offering plenty at the back.
And the discussion about whether the club will need to buy another player on that side – once a noisy debate – has quietened to a whisper.
A run of games is important for any player but after injury and resulting loss of form even more so and Fredericks is now showing the benefit of having a manager who is ready to give him his chance.
It’s of course good news that Zaba has signed a new deal but the growing confidence in the former Fulahm defender’s game is reflected in his words following yesterday’s game.
He told www.whufc.com: ““I made a very slow start by my standards this season, I got in the team, wasn’t doing too well, came out of the team and then got injured.
“I was out for four months but since I’ve come back the manager has been good to me. I’ve played a few games and hopefully I’ve shown him that he doesn’t have to go out and spend a fortune on another right back.”
And on yesterday’s game he said: I said after last week’s game at Tottenham that was how we could play and we played like it again today, so it’s a good sign for next season.
“We’ve got to try and give those performances a bit more often and we’d be fighting higher up the table.
“We’ve got great players in that changing room – the manager is more than happy to rotate the players and the ones who came in today were class and a lot of them have done that all season.
I have been quite critical of Fredericks but he is definitely improving and imho his comments show he cares about how he plays and he wants to stay at the club which goes a long way, he is honest about under performing, perhaps he was just trying too hard which was affecting his performance ? Good luck Ryan great goal and much improved COYI !!!