Does one year of good form constitute 'earning' a number?! I think players should wait at least 3 years before I would consider them for a higher standing in the team. Otherwise we will have a situation such as with Thursfield where he had one good season, showed lots of potential and so took the No. 2 jumper. If we only look at one years worth of form then last year players such as Nahas would have received a high number.
If we are trying to make receiving high numbers an honour then players need more than one years worth of promise and good form to claim it.
Just my opinion of course
Stripes