Famed for his passing range, but also adding goals to his game in December, Rotherham United midfielder Dan Barlaser has caught the eye of onlookers and has subsequently earned a nomination for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award.
The Quarterback-style midfielder turned in a series of all-action performances throughout the month of December, playing a key role in his side's wins over Gillingham - in which he scored a brace - and Cambridge United, where he netted the only goal of the match.
Barlaser is shortlisted alongside counterparts from Charlton Athletic, Sunderland and Oxford United with the full list as follows.
Dan Barlaser (Rotherham United) - midfielder
Much of Rotherham’s success this season has been orchestrated by the quarter-back play of Barlaser, spinning searching passes to teammates. The technician added goals in December, four of them expertly finished in as many games.
Craig MacGillivray (Charlton Athletic) – goalkeeper
Consistent all season, MacGillivray has been a calm presence and cornerstone in Charlton’s revival. He pulled off a number of reaction saves against Cambridge to underpin his side’s victory, conceding just one goal in three games.
Alex Pritchard (Sunderland) - midfielder
One goal and four direct assists in six games do not describe the majesty of Sunderland’s creative heartbeat in their 17-goal haul. Rather, it is his intelligence and constant willingness to take players on before picking out a pass to slip in a teammate.
Matty Taylor (Oxford United) - striker
Whenever Oxford needed a goal in December, Taylor obliged. Three of his four goals in five games were either the opener or an equaliser as he demonstrated again his knack for timing his runs off the shoulders of defenders.