Steele Nominated For Player of the Month
Penalty saves and clean sheets puts keeper on shortlist.
Reds number one Luke Steele has been nominated for the August Player of the Month award to be decided tomorrow morning.
The 26 year old former Manchester United youngster has had a top first month despite seeing his side claim just one victory. Steele, who has made 112 appearances for the Oakwell outfit since arriving in 2008 has kept two clean sheets and also made two fantastic penalty saves to help The Reds to their only victory so far- the 2-1 win at Reading.
Competing with Steele for the first individual award of the season are Middlesbrough’s Marvin Emnes who has hit four goals in Boro’s unbeaten start to the season including one in their 3-1 win at Oakwell. The 23 year old Dutchman also scored a hat-trick in Boro’s 3-0 Carling Cup win over Walsall.
Also on the shortlist are Southampton’s Adam Lallana who has three goals in six starts and Blackpool’s Kevin Phillips who has slotted seamlessly back into the Championship with four goals in five starts for the Tangerines.
Unsurprisingly Keith Hill is not nominated for the Manager of the Month award. On that shortlist are Brighton’s Gustavo Poyet, Southampton’s Nigel Adkins, Derby’s Nigel Clough and Middlesbrough’s Tony Mowbray.
The winners will be announced tomorrow at 10am on Sky Sports News.