In the first of our end of season player reviews we look at Fraser Forster, his return from injury was a major factor in our second half of the season form.

There are many who believe that in 2014/15 our dip in form at the end of the season to fall away and eventually finish 7th was down to losing Fraser Forster in the run in, if that was a factor then there are even more who think that Forster's return in January of this year was even more important to our great end to the season.

The truth is that the giant keeper came back at the right time and brought stability, confidence and organisation into the back four and this was a great foundation to build on for the final months of the season.

A six game run without a goal conceded started with Fraser's return against Watford mid January and although we never quite reached those heights of defensive infallibility again, indeed the strange fact is that after those half dozen shut outs we failed to keep another in the final 12 games, we had an air about us not seen since before Fraser's injury.

Forster seemed to have a leaner more confident look about him and that showed in the way he marshalled his back four and controlled his area.

Maarten Stekelenburg had not been bad in his 17 games for the club prior to the Watford game, but Forster's return brought something else to the party that had been missing.

The fact that he has signed a new long term deal shows that he and indeed the squad are now starting to believe that Saints can continue to go forward and having a solid keeper is an often overlooked area of any side, strikers get the plaudits but few sides achieve genuine long term success without having tht rock between the goal posts.

Overall I would give him 9/10 for his contribution to Saints season, but what do you think ? Post your comments below !

Photo: Action Images

saintstuinoz added 17:02 - May 18 Absolute legend in the making for us. The stats don't lie, he really made a huge difference when he came back. If he's fit for the whole of 2016/2017 I think a top 4 push is a real possibility. Shame we don't really have a song for him, apart from "England's number 1".
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Whatsforpud added 17:57 - May 18 Good keeper, but not the finished article. Great shot stopper, using legs as well as hands. Tends to overdo the palming away rather than catching shots. However for his height, doesn't dominate when corners/crosses come in. Also needs to be more decisive on coming out in 50/50 situations.
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Bettwsresident added 19:00 - May 18 Agree he is superb keeper that dominates the goal area and his huge frame fills the goal. Before he returned we conceded from 24 of the 66 shots on target, a save % of 64%. After he returned we conceded from 17 of the 70 shots on target, a save % of 76%. Stek let in 50% of the shots he faced, I would rather have gazza as a back up keeper.
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BoondockSaint added 19:29 - May 18 His best saves are reactions. If he stops to think, that's when he makes mistakes. Needs to work on concentration. And, please, please, put your foot through it any time there is an opposing player within 15 yards!
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GeordieSaint added 09:55 - May 19 Another Geordie saint, top keeper!
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