Who are these detractors because from what I can see on here he is worshipped as a hero?
I'm not sure anyone has been 'wrong'.
From how I've seen it the only people who have "worshipped" him throughout have been the kids.
I think most have recognised his reliability, service and effort, which had been frustrating lacking in terms of a final products. I do think he unfairly attracted more than his fair share of criticism considering some of the donkeys he has played with over the years.
The out layers now are the small handful (I'd imagine) who don't give him the credit he deserves for the past two seasons. He has transformed himself into a very special player at our level.
When you add that to his overall stats in terms of appearances and goals, it makes him one of the most accomplished Cobblers players in most of our lifetimes. Not forgetting his multiple awards, so it's not just us who "worship" him.