With no more games in this Month for Saints we can open the voting for January's best player and there are a few contenders.

First up would be Shane Long, he has put in a series of great performances which have not only seen him score some important goals but put in a lot of hard work to create chances and goals.

Next up would be Steven Davis, always a model of consistency, he has upped his game this January and was crucial in the wins over West Brom and Watford.

Then there is Matt Targett, under fire in the early part of the season he came back into the side in a revamped formation and that saw him covered when he went forward, although he hasn't got the pace of Ryan Bertrand, he has a sweet left foot and this saw him put in a great cross for Shane Long's opener against Watford and he has caused problems in the subsequent games.

James Ward Prowse would have to be a contender as well, he has been a great player to have in the squad, his free kick against West Brom was in the style of Rickie Lambert and he followed that up with a penalty and then the great cross at Old Trafford for the goal.

Cedric Soares would be an outsider, but since his return to the team against Watford he has put in three key displays which has seen him tight at the back but lethal going forward showing that he is adapting to the premier League.

Jordy Clasie is another who is starting to adapt, great game against Watford ad then perhaps his best ever display for the club at Old Trafford, the centre of midfield is a tough place to earn a starting place for Saints and Clasie shows that perhaps it is now a job share role.

Oriol Romeu like Clasie has yet to claim a regular place, but as i said in the Clasie piece, the centre of the midfield is now a job share situation, it is no longer about two players doing the full 90 mins, but four covering the shift to suit the pattern of the game and Romeu has played a full part.

Fraser Forster, Ok he hs not had a save to make in anger, but there is a case to be made that his return to the side instilled the confidence to change the season, Stekelenburg had not done a lot wrong, but Forster proves there is more about keeping than shot stopping, therefore should deserve a mention in this poll.

Virgil Van Dijk, another great month for the Dutch defender and although nothing outstanding he was Mr Consistent and marshalled the defence so well at Old Trafford he forces his way into the list.

Finally Dusan Tadic, he too proves that the modern game is a squad affair and that the strength of Saints this season has been the quality coming off the bench, his two appearances as a sub at St Mary's in the league saw a goal in each game just at the right time, sometimes he struggles to get into a game, but when he does he can change it.

So there are the ten nominations for January Player Of The Month, do you agree with the reasons I have given for the nomination, tell us who your vote is for and why in the comments section below and vote in the poll itself situated on the right hand side of the story pages.

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 14:20 - Jan 26 Is there any rival to Steve Davis who has played brilliantly in every game STEVEN DAVIS
4

Bettwsresident added 14:56 - Jan 26 Steven Davis for me to. He was immense in the 2nd half against Watford. Once of the best performances I have every seen from a saints player.
5

uaesaint added 16:01 - Jan 26 Has to be Shane long took his chance when it came and has worked and run his socks off
4

darthvader added 16:11 - Jan 26 S.Davis for me
4

mikesaint added 16:22 - Jan 26 Shane Long for me by a mile.
2

Winchsaint added 16:42 - Jan 26 Charlie Austin? ;)
0

ElSanto added 17:16 - Jan 26 Steven Davis, Jordi Clasie or Bertrand. Davis was terrific in January. Clasie has adapted really well considering he was so tame and looked lost when he first arrived. Really like his attitude and you could tell he was a fighter from his first interviews and videos, but I didn't think physically he would be able to deal with the premiership. I just hope his next improvement will be that he doesn't push himself too much and learns how to manage 90 mins whilst keeping the same level. Bertrand has adapted very well to the back three and certainly helped with the clean sheets. He is Mr. Consistent and we should be lucky to have him at the club. Credit goes to the whole team too, but special mention to Shane Long for putting in some serious shifts for the team and having a great attitude even having to play off the bench for a year and a half and coming up to the Euros. And to Fraser who has brought a reassuring presence back to goal and has looked good under the cross. He just needs to concentrate more on his kicking.

0

RogerToye added 18:03 - Jan 26 No Mane or VW what a surprise!! Steven Davies And Shane long to share the Honours for me and a Highly commended for Matt Targett for his improved left side deliveries and adapting to the left side of midfield from full back .
0

Big_T added 18:26 - Jan 26 Steven Davis, the rock around which the team have built their performances, Top class nearly every game.
0

fubsy added 21:31 - Jan 26 Steven Davies
0

saintstuinoz added 08:04 - Jan 27 Without doubt Steven Davis
0

saintpete01 added 09:36 - Jan 27 Steven Davis The new nick Holmes
0

halftimeorange added 12:50 - Jan 27 Frankly I can't decide between Davis and Long. I think nationality and the weather has some part in this. It has been a very wet month and they are both from the Emerald Isle, albeit different ends. The muddier they get the happier they are and the better they seem to play. A joint award methinks.
0

cheltenhamsaint added 21:31 - Jan 27 Forster for the catch from the 40 yard rocket United (Blind the centre back) mustered at Old Trafford in 90 minutes A close second for the month was Davis. Outstanding
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Leyton Orient Polls