Opinion: Gleeson nomination deserved

After the news came through this morning (September 3rd) that Stephen Gleeson had been nominated for Player of the Month by the Football League, I thought I would share my opinion on it.

For me, the nomination is thoroughly deserved! The midfielder has started the season excellently and personally I believe it is because of a few things.

To start with, one of the main reasons I believe his performances have spiked so far this season is because he signed a new deal in the summer.

Gleeson, who said the move was right for him and his family, signed a contract extension with the club in the summer and his standard of play has just continued to rise.

Following on from the end of last season, Gleeson has cemented his spot in the starting XI and by adding goals to his game, I think he will just continue to flourish under the man management of Gary Rowett.

Another reason why I think Gleeson has been nominated is because he is feeling settled in the side now.

Last season, there was always an interchange in that holding midfield role, especially when Robert Tesche came in, but now he has made the role his own.

Sitting alongside Maikel Kieftenbeld, I feel Rowett has now said to the former MK Dons midfielder, push on and make a difference in the team and it has started to pay off.

Two goals in the opening four games of the Championship season against Derby County and his former side MK Dons, really show just how much Blues number eight has improved his game.

A final reason why Gleeson has been nominated for me would have to be the addition of Kieftenbeld.

Since joining the club for £180,000, Kieftenbeld has stamped his authority on the Blues midfield. His awareness of the game is second to none and I just feel he adds that something extra that we have perhaps been missing in the past few seasons.

Kieftenbeld, who sits in the deeper of the two holding midfield roles, now allows Gleeson to push on and help out the rest of the side which means that he can add things to his game.

This option that he now has means that he is continuing to improve game by game and I think he is one that fans should continue to watch out for.

In a recent article on the site, I personally named Gleeson my Player of the Month for his outstanding performances during the month of August and it just goes to show that he isn’t just impressing me.

Blues fans, are you happy to see one of our players get recognition by the league? Do you think he has a chance of winning it? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!