I liked Sharps. Admittedly he didn't have a great season, but then, who did?
For me, a centre back is only as good as the keeper behind him.
That may sound daft, but a lot of a centre backs game is knowing (and trusting) the people around him (especially the keeper). Sharps has had to put up with Goodison at left back and various clowns behind him in goal (since Achto's injury). I remember a couple of seasons ago he was being hailed as a defender who could play in the Championship. Yet, 18 months or so later, he's useless.
As an example of my theory, using England, look at the second goal we conceded against Sweden. It looked like bad defending, but to me it was panicked defending brought on by the likes of John Terry not having complete trust in Paul "im great in the prem but wetting myself in an england shirt" Robinson. If you watch closely you will see Ashley Cole move 'behind' Robinson instead of staying on the post. To me, that suggests Ashley thought Robinson would miss the ball and so moved to a position to rescue the situation. Why else would a class defender stand directly BEHIND a goalkeeper?
Some may remember David James helped immensely in turning both Phil Babb and Mark Wright from quality centre backs into a nervous wrecks at Liverpool.
Imagine being a centre back and not knowing whether your keeper is going to come for a certain type of cross or not (should you head it or get clattered?). Or wondering if you should keep marking your man, or get closer to the keeper for when he spills the ball.
If Achto had been fit all season (and Roberts at left back), Sharps would have been a rock.
