October offered up another exciting month of Premiership football, but which players stood out among their peers as the best in their respective positions? We have dug in to the data to find you the players of the month.
Goalkeeper
Tomas Cerny (Partick Thistle)
To understand the manner in which Alan Archibald has got Partick Thistle’s season back on track you need only look at the amount of goals his side are conceding. Last month we saw their goals-conceded-per-game ratio fall to 0.75 from a staggering high of two per game in September.
At the centre of that defensive fortification is goalkeeper Tomas Cerny. The Czech shot-stopper was at the heart of Partick’s dogged 1-0 win over St Johnstone at the end of the month, while a number of super-human dives and a penalty save ensured his side of a vital 2-1 win over Dundee at Firhill.
Defence
James Tavernier (Rangers)
It may seem odd to be praising a Rangers player in the month their coach was sacked, especially one for his attacking merit, but it is worth considering just how much of Rangers’ goals, and therefore their success, has come through right-back James Tavernier in October.
The 26-year-old was the creator of the goal that pushed Kenny Miller and Rangers ahead of Hearts last weekend and also set up two of the three goals against St Johnstone at the start of the month. In fact, of the seven goals Rangers scored during the month, Tavernier was responsible for 42 per cent of them. And he has undoubtedly offered a rare, can-do attitude during a turbulent month for the Ibrox side.
Midfield
Jordan Jones (Kilmarnock)
There have been a number of impressive midfielders this month, but none as impactful as Jordan Jones. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has characterised the turnaround in Kilmarnock’s fortunes in October with key contributions in each game.
It was Jones’ passes that set up Kilmarnock’s second goal in a crucial win over Partick Thistle, while his goal against Celtic capped off a fantastic week that saw Steve Clarke pick up draws against both sides of the Old Firm in back-to-back fixtures. Add two key passes in the Partick and Rangers games to that tally and you have a month of exquisite, attacking football from the young midfielder.
Attack
Simon Murray (Hibernian)
With wins over Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Hearts, Hibernian have arguably been the in-form team in the Premiership in October and at the heart of that effort has been forward Simon Murray.
Hibs fans won’t forget his fantastic goal in the Edinburgh derby for years to come, but they should also note that with a goal against Kilmarnock and an assist against Motherwell the 25-year-old striker has directly influenced 60 per cent of the goals Hibs scored last month.
Player of the Month
With Simon Murray the focal point of October’s most exciting side he stands out as the month’s best player. Hibs have won every league game Murray has scored in this season and are unbeaten in the ones he has provided an assist in too. Indeed, despite being described as an exciting, attacking side of various talents, Neil Lennon’s team are very reliant on Murray for goals. He failed to score in four Premiership games in September and it was no coincidence Hibs only won one of those matches. With his goals in October, he has proved the Edinburgh side’s most vital player and the team have quickly climbed the table.
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