Friday 4 December 2009

Player of the Month


It feels rather good seeing this photograph.

Jimmy Bullard is the Player of the Month in the Premier League after basically turning round an entire club in the space of four games.

It just completes a remarkable beginning to his Tigers career, belated as it was but worthwhile when it finally arrived. The inspiration behind victory against Stoke City and the comeback against West Ham United, plus the leadership shown against Manchester City, as well as the penalty (and the celebration).

He has even got the award despite missing a match in November, which City managed to win without him while still feeling galvanised by his influence as an individual, as well as a player.

The management award is believed to be cursed, so it's merciful that Phil Brown has missed out to the Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. The player award, however, has no history of double edges, so now maybe Bullard can try to win December's accolade too. Or, for the moment at least, use this spot of recognition as an extra spur prior to the game at Aston Villa tomorrow.