It is a measure of the consistency Wayne Rooney has shown this season, under mentor David Moyes, that he was again in the running for the latest PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award.
Last month, the Manchester United striker missed out on the September prize to Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, and this time around it’s Luis Suarez who has denied Rooney another personal accolade.
As he continued to serve his lengthy ban for the infamous biting incident involving Branislav Ivanovic,, many wondered whether Suarez would ever wear the red of Liverpool again.
A move away from Anfield – with the Emirates one of a number of likely destinations – was widely predicted, but like the Phoenix from the flames, Suarez has risen again as the idol of the Kop.
Whilst some continued to question his commitment to the cause, Suarez has gone about his business with both supreme professionalism and brilliance that knows no bounds.
After sitting out the early part of the season, the Uruguayan chose October to send out a dual message to the world – I’m here to stay...and I’m here to win trophies.
Suarez marked his first Anfield appearance since April with a goal in the 3-1 win against Crystal Palace, and ended the month with a stunning hat-trick against West Brom.
Brendan Rodgers hailed Suarez as ‘a complete striker’ and said: “Luis’s first goal, his invention in front of goal, was incredible and his two other goals were first class.
“He can score all types of goals, he is a tireless worker and I knew once I got the commitment from him in the summer he wasn't going to walk out. He's been great from then on."
Whilst Suarez has produced a number of moments of individual genius, he would be the first to give credit to his super strike partner Daniel Sturridge – the new SAS of the Premier League.
Sturridge also polled plenty of votes for his performances for club and country during October, but was edged out of the top three by Rooney and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.
Rooney feels loved, wanted and appreciated once again at Old Trafford after a much-publicised falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson – and he puts it all down to new man at the helm Moyes. “You can tell by the way I’m playing I’m enjoying my football,” Rooney said recently. "David Moyes has come in and he's playing me up front and I'm loving it. I really have been happy all summer.”
Moyes is a happy bunny too, not least after Rooney inspired a dramatic and much-needed comeback against Stoke last weekend when the vultures were circling above the new United boss.
"It's been great working with Wayne because he's an excellent footballer. I've said from day one he's been great,” said Moyes. “He's in good nick, his talent is unquestionable.”
Unquestionable talent is a description which could easily be attached to Arsenal’s record summer signing Mesut Ozil who has quickly become the lead conjuror in the Gunners’ magical midfield.
Goals against Napoli and Norwich (2) have cemented the instant love between Ozil and the Arsenal faithful, and Arsene Wenger is a huge admirer too.
‘Fantastic...amazing...outstanding’ are just three words used by Wenger to describe his £42.5m man, and he adds: “His skill, his finishing, it's what you want to see when you come and watch football.”
Find out the winners of the PFA Fan's Player of the Month October 2013 award for the Championship, League One and League Two here.
Source: DSG
