I'd just say that he hasn't necessarily come on leaps and bounds this season... I get what you mean, but he has always been a good CB. Some Fans made him a scapegoat which was sad and short sighted.
We do have a lot of sad short sighted fans (though probably no more than other clubs). Some cretin behind me booed when Clasie came on against Everton last Sunday. Hope he watched the game on Wednesday, the clown.