Player of the Month Dan Barlaser gives the credit to his Rotherham United teammates

PLAYMAKER Barlaser has paid tribute to his Rotherham United playing pals after winning the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award for December.
Dan Barlaser with his Sky Bet trophyDan Barlaser with his Sky Bet trophy
Dan Barlaser with his Sky Bet trophy

The midfielder scored four times in as many games as the Millers consolidated their position in the automatic-promotion places.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve never won an award like this before. I have to thank my teammates. We have been on a great run of form together and I’ve managed to contribute to that. 

“A couple of the goals I scored were penalties won by other players and another came from a lung-busting run from Chieo (Ogbene) to get the ball to me (at Cambridge United), so I’m extremely grateful to everyone.”

Boss Paul Warne missed out on the Manager of the Month award that went to Sunderland's Lee Johnson.

Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman, who was on the judging panel, said of Barlaser: “He's been a mainstay of a promotion-chasing team this season but only recently has he added goals to his impressive displays.

“None of these were more important than the winner against Cambridge in the build-up to Christmas which cemented their place on top of the tree when Santa Claus arrived.”

The 24-year-old beat off competition from Sunderland midfielder Alex Pritchard, Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray and Oxford United striker Matty Taylor.