MIDFIELDER Matt Ritchie is determined to finish the season in style and show to everyone why he was named the League Two Player of the Year.

The 22-year-old was given the prize at the Football League Awards at The Brewery in London on Sunday night, but Ritchie is determined not to get caught up in his achievement and carry on producing the goods, just as manager Paolo Di Canio has told him to.

“The manager congratulated me after I got the award and said to me that I didn’t need to prove to anyone that I deserved it, but I just need to keep doing what I have been doing,” he said.

“Hopefully I will be able to do that between now and the end of the season and score a few more goals, but as long as the team is scoring and winning I am happy.

“I am very proud to win the award but it is all about the team. I couldn’t have performed how I have without the team this year and it helps being part of the side which is top of the league at the moment winning week in week out.”

Ritchie beat off competition from former Crawley striker Tyrone Barnett and his close friend, Cheltenham’s Marlon Pack, to win the award, and was sat with his former Portsmouth colleague when the winner was announced.

“Marlon sat on our table in the end as no-one else from Cheltenham went to the awards,” Ritchie said. “I think he was pleased for me when I won just as I would have been pleased for him if he had won because we are good friends and we will stay good friends.”

Ritchie is convinced he has improved significantly as a footballer so far this season, and stressed a lot of the credit deserved to go to his fellow Swindon Town players and Paolo Di Canio and his coaching staff.

“I have been pleased with how I have done this season and I have to give a lot of thanks to the manager who has made me a better player, and the players around me as well,” he said.

“The likes of me, Simon Ferry and Paul Caddis have struck up a great relationship on the pitch, and off it as well, but all the lads have done their bit not just the 11 that play on Saturdays.

“I think the manager has come in and I think all the lads would admit we have improved and come on leaps and bounds, and that is thanks to the manager and the coaching staff.”