As we reported last week, René Adler was voted HSV's "player of the year." by the fans. Now the classy keeper has further reason to smile at a job well done. The sport magazine kicker has placed the Rothosen stopper at the top of their ranking list of German goalkeepers, ahead of Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller. Adler's national team mate Manuel Neuer somewhat surprisingly only made fourth place. The magazine: "Adler has performed superbly, preventing his side from heavier defeats (like against Nürnberg and Bremen), and was single handedly responsible for HSV's victories over Dortmund and Hannover." Kicker gave Adler an average rating of 2,26 pre game (on a scale from 1-6 with one being the best possible rating). HSV.de can only agree with them: Top performances, top character and a top signing. 
 
Westermann on the map
 
Heiko Westermann didn't fare quite as well as the keeper. The gritty Rothosen captain did make the list for central defenders in kicker however. Along with seven other Bundesliga players he was at least there or thereabouts in the rankings which are currently led by Bayern's Brazilian Afro-man Dante.