Vote For Your August 2017 Player of the Month

In alphabetical order...

Modou Barrow

Average rating: 6.1 (4+3 appearances); Man of the Match wins: 1st (Aston Villa H), 2nd (Fulham H), 3rd (Preston North End A)

What an introduction. Since signing from Swansea City at the start of August, Barrow has made an instant impact in the Reading team, his pace and trickery causing danger all over the park and evoking memories of recent wing stars like Jimmy Kebe and Glen Little. Whilst his final product isn’t consistently perfect, the excitement generated in the stands when he gets on the ball is palpable, and he got off the mark with a crucial goal against Aston Villa which will certainly have put him even more at ease. If he can keep this up for the whole season, he’s sure to become a fans’ favourite.

Liam Kelly

Average rating: 6.4 (5 appearances); Man of the Match wins: 1st (Fulham H), 1st (Gillingham H), 2nd (Birmingham City A)

For a while this year, it looked as though Kelly might be our only goal threat, the youngster netting both goals against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup before firing in from the top of the box to open the scoring against Fulham. But Kelly has done more than just score, and has more than shown that he’s not just a one-season wonder. Composed in possession as ever, and willing to have a shot at goal when the opportunity presents itself, it’s exciting to think what another year of first-team football can bring out in the Irishman - who’s still just 21.

Vito Mannone

Average rating: 6.2 (5 appearances); Man of the Match wins: 1st (Preston North End A), 2nd (QPR A)

When the Royals lost Ali Al-Habsi, many were worried about how we would replace the two-time Player of the Season. So far, it seems we’ve done a good enough job. Mannone has come straight into the side and settled in perfectly, showing off his shot-stopping ability in losing efforts at Preston (where he comfortably won your Man of the Match vote) and QPR. Whilst he’s still not quite the possession goalkeeper that Jaap Stam clearly craves, he’s certainly shown he’s no downgrade from Al-Habsi - and we all know how important the Omani was for us over the last few years...

Those are your three nominees - get voting!