It's a very difficult task to pick a MotM from a group of worthy candidates last night. I think the main contenders are undoubtedly Hill, Diakite, Barton and Mackie, but I also thought both Onuoha and Ferdinand had arguably their best games in an Rs shirt to date. I can see why Barton is collecting the majority of the votes, but I went for Mackie, who was also got Sky's vote I gather? I think he has dispelled the doubts about him not being good enough at this level. He has scored important goals, battles hard to win the ball, and is far less the 'head down and run into a blind alley' player that many once accused him of being. Last night he was excellent down the right-hand side and had a fair old ding-dong with Tate, very much giving as good as he got throughout. He was rewarded with a great goal, which initially had echoes of Taarabt's against Arsenal the way he turned his marker. Great finish. I think he scared them to death down the right, ran tirelessly and wasn't afraid to play link man, wide man or track back and support Taiwo (who I thought looked a little out of sorts). P.S. If you're looking for an early contender for player of the season... look no further than Clint Hill. Starts the campaign with a red card and loaned out to Forest. Future in doubt with the spate of new signings, but has looked like a new signing in central defence. A never say die attitude typified by his performance last night and for most of the season so far. Keep him, Spunky!
Diakite for me. Could be all of the aforementioned, but I love his tenacity and composure bringing the ball forward. He could well be the keystone upon which our future success rests.
