Michael Morrison Is Your February Player Of The Month
Reading’s veteran centre half takes the award for the first time this season.
Congratulations to Michael Morrison, winner of the TTE player of the month award for February 2021. You overwhelming voted for the veteran centre half as your stand-out performer last month: 78.5% went for him, well above Tom McIntyre (17.7%), Andy Rinomhota (2.5%) and Omar Richards (1.3%).
In an erratic month for results and performances, Morrison was by contrast a consistently impressive presence at the back. He took our MOTM awards in wins over Bristol City and Rotherham United - Reading’s only victories in February - and finished second against Stoke City and Brentford. The first three of those games ended in a clean sheet for the Royals, while the other (a 3-1 loss) still featured a very impressive defensive performance - albeit one that was undone late on.
This is his second TTE POTM award and the first of this season (the other came in July 2020). In most other campaigns he would have won a few of them already by this point, but performances across the board have been so impressive that he’s had to wait his turn. I’m glad though that he’s finally added his name to the list, which most recently added January winner Tom McIntyre - Morrison’s regular partner in the absence of Liam Moore.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention his contributions in the final third. Like all truly world-class centre forwards, Morrison’s two goals in February required a range of attacking qualities. His strike at Bristol City was all about dribbling ability, charging up the pitch from deep before dinking the ball over the ‘keeper. Michael Morrodona.
Be honest... how many times have you watched this goal?
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) February 17, 2021
Magic from Morro! pic.twitter.com/Rp29ZmdiTD
Last Saturday, he struck his fourth goal of the season with a poacher’s finish after his initial header was saved. Morroslav Klose.
Morro's effort was clearly over the line... but always nice to get another angle from HawkEye! #ROTREA pic.twitter.com/KhPs7gmJxy
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) February 28, 2021
Morrison will now be conspicuous by his absence. Having previously played every minute of the league campaign, he pulled up injured against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night and is likely to miss the next couple of matches. Tom Holmes, his likely replacement as a fellow right-sided centre back, has big shoes to fill.
2020/21 player of the month winners
September: Lucas Joao
October: Lucas Joao
November: Omar Richards
December: Josh Laurent
January: Tom McIntyre
February: Michael Morrison