December
The month started with a frustrating 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough, we dominated the game in the early stages and were leading 2-0 until on loan Chelsea defender Marc Guhei got 2 yellow cards in quick succession just before half time, we managed to hold them to 2-1 until an 89th minute equaliser have them a share of the points. Next up we dispatched Luton easily enough 3-0, Andre Ayew helping himself to a brace of goals. Our first defeat in 8 games to top of the table Bournemouth 3-1, brought us back to earth with a bump young Welsh international David Brooks getting all 3 of their assists! Possibly the sweetest result of the season followed, 3-1 away in the South Wales derby against Cardiff, Kasey Palmer coming off the bench in the second half to score 2 goals in 3 minutes to take the points and bragging rights west, back down the M4. We drew our next game away to Wayne Rooneys Derby, Championship top scorer, 19 year old Morgan Whittaker scoring a brace, canceling out Jamal Lowes brace for us. We absolutely destroyed relegation candidates Barnsley in our next game, in fact we were 5-0 up at half time, allowing me to rest a few key players for the second half. We ended the month with 2 massive results against QPR and Reading, both of whom are in play off contention in 6th and 7th respectively, once again Andre Ayew showing his class scoring once against QPR and twice against Reading.
8 games, 5 wins, 2 draws and a loss meant we finished the month in 4th position, only 1 point behind bitter rivals Cardiff. Bournmouth continue to lead the way, I personally can't see them not winning the league, they are a very good outfit, closely followed by Norwich in 2nd, another class act. Cardiff, ourselves, Brentford and Reading make up the play off places with QPR just outside. At the foot of the table there is a bit of a gap between Birmingham in 21st and Barnsley in 20th, but with plenty of games to play that could all change in an instant!
In the top scorer charts, Jamal Lowe continues to lead the way, adding 5 goals to his tally during the month
In the top assists charts, Matt Grimes continues to lead the way, adding 3 more assists to his tally during the month
Player of the Month
Decembers player of the month was Andre Ayew, he put in a number of outstanding performances, scoring 7 goals in the month (he is only one goal behind Jamal Lowe in the top scorer charts) aswell as providing two assist, he averaged a 7.12 rating during December and as a result also scooped the Championship player of the month award.
I won successive Manager of the Month awards.
The month wasn't all sugar and rainbows however, a disappointing injury for our young on loan Chelsea defender Marc Guhei, who has been a rock at the back for us means we are without him for at least a month.
Next Update - Mid season transfer window & January Results, can I add some more quality to the team? Can we continue our promotion charge?