Ridenton:
I'd argue extenuating circumstances.
Was injured for a fair chunk of the later season. He looked quite good when I saw him at ASB level in early season - more linking play and a little bit of creative play. This was with either Rufer or Gulley a bit deeper though helping out.
I think Ridenton was below par in his appearances at U20, but in fairness who was any good in the first 2 games? Even the Ukraine draw was fairly lacklustre. No particular stars.
I'm totally disregarding the RB experiement - hay zeus - it was a fudgeing 'mare. Watching from the stands he was totally at sea (positionally) and I felt sorry for him.
Still think I have seen enough in first season of Nix off the bench and ASB prem to say that he has potential to be a good A-League player. Just needs development. Can see him being a A-Rod type player. Potential issue is that A-Rod is also young.