Over the years, I’ve been a critic of his no doubt. People were telling me pre knee injuries he was our best player and I didn’t see it. I also didn’t agree with it for the reasons you have outlined.
That said, I truly believe he has been in our top 3 this year and some games were won on his performances. That can’t be said for any of our more fancied halves.
He has often been accused of lazy defence and that’s true, however not much this year at all. He is also accused often of being slow. Maybe laterally, but in a straight line, he is very fast and has proven that quite a few times over the past 18 months.
His attitude has really improved and if that’s due to him sitting out for a few years injured and readjusting his goals then I’m all for it. The guy is one of our best this year. That is usually rewarded.