Looking forwards to season 5. Good job C.J.!
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Season 5
Ups & Downs
My fifth year as a professional began in all too familiar circumstances.
Barely a month into the year I suffered my 3rd torn hamstring in 4 years at the Wanderers, another 3 months on the sidelines! This resulted in just 2 league appearances at an uninspired match rating of 6.3 for me up until the January window.
At that stage it looked as though my career in the top flight may be over.
Constant injuries, an expiring contract, no interest from other teams & a manager who was preferring to play narrow! It couldn't have gotten much worse for me.
Thankfully, upon my recovery, I managed to show what I was capable of.
At the back end of the year I came to life! 19 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 3 player of the match awards & an average rating of 7.22.
My form, along with that of the rest of the squad, inspired the Wanderers to a run of form that not only broke records but catapulted us into the finals series for the first time since my arrival & also secured me my first ever piece of silverware.
My first taste of playoff football, our Quarter final match up against the Melbourne Victory, was played the day before my 20th birthday. Unfortunately there were to be no additional celebrations.
An 86th minute winner from Eli Babalj breaking our hearts & ending our season.
On the international front I managed to grab my first goal for the under 22's as well as impressing for the U19's & U20's.
Despite the positives I feel as though the constant injuries & sporadic game time have really hampered my development.
Other then feeling more comfortable in my surroundings, I am not noticing the level of improvement I once did. Have I peaked at the age of 20? Surely not! But I need game time & to stay injury free to show what I am really capable of.
Eventually the Wanderers offered me a new deal.
Again it is but a one year extension! I wonder how long we can keep this up?
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