Player Of The Month - December 2016

NB our player ratings from the abandoned Fulham game aren't included in the averages!

In alphabetical order...

Liam Kelly

Average rating: 6.25 (3+2 appearances); MOTM wins: 1st (Leeds United A), 1st (Blackburn Rovers A), 1st (Fulham A), 3rd (Norwich City H)

What a month for the Academy graduate. Questions were asked of how he would react following a first-half substitution at Rotherham back in October. Less than two months later, he's showing he's more than ready for the Championship now. Calm in possession and technically adept, he won your Man Of The Match award in three of the five games he played in December. With John Swift returning to full fitness and the transfer window opening, Kelly has given Jaap Stam a real conundrum after showing he can be reliably depended on from the start or from the bench.

Yann Kermorgant

Average rating: 6.5 (1+3 appearances); MOTM wins: 1st (Norwich City H), 3rd (Leeds United A), 3rd (Sheffield Wednesday H)

Kermorgant might have only started one match in December but he managed to demonstrate exactly what he gives Stam and Reading during his limited time on the pitch. Found the net against Norwich and hit the bar with a penalty in the same match, the Frenchman offers great interplay and an aerial ability that's absent in our other forward options. Despite the rumours that our January recruitment could be concentrated on a new striker, Kermorgant's recent hot streak is a welcome reminder of his abilities as we push on in 2017.

Liam Moore

Average rating: 6.75 (4 appearances); MOTM wins: 1st (Sheffield Wednesday H), 2nd (Norwich City H)

Moore missed one match in December due to suspension. Reading lost that match 5-0 at Fulham. Whilst that result and performance can't solely be put down to the centre-back's absence, it's patently clear that the former England U21 international is a class act, a brilliant organiser and quite simply an immense defender. He even managed to grab his first league goal for the club in our 3-2 win at Blackburn. Probably the first name on the teamsheet for most Royals fans, Moore is looking to pick up his second award this season after winning in September.

Those are your three nominees - vote below, and we'll announce the results later in the week!

Previous winners:

November 2016: Garath McCleary (50%)

October 2016: Ali Al Habsi (89%)

September 2016: Liam Moore (51%)

August 2016: John Swift (78%)