Aaron Collins' fine form for Bristol Rovers has been rewarded with the League One Player of the Month award for October.
The striker racked up three goals and three assists throughout a strong month for Rovers, and he played a pivotal role in creating two other goals without being credited, as Rovers won three, drew three and lost one of their matches in October.
The 25-year-old has been one of the outstanding players in the division this season, being nominated for August's award, too. He has nine goals and six assists in the third tier this season and his manager, Joey Barton, believes he was unlucky to miss out on a place in Wales' World Cup squad.
The award is some consolation for Collins, who has scored 24 goals in the calendar year, and he is intent to continue his strong form for the Gas.
“I’m happy to win it after being nominated in August with the same amount of goal involvements," he said. "It could’ve been four assists, but it obviously wasn’t to be.
“But it's been a really good month as a team, as well as individually, so I’m happy and hopefully I can add to that goal and assists tally in the coming months."
Barton is under no illusions about Collins' value to Rovers and he praised his top scorer after scooping the award.
“I’m delighted for Aaron," Barton said. "I think his form in the calendar year has been exceptional. He’s been a real talisman for the group; obviously, life in League One is relatively new for him but he’s hit the ground running.
“In terms of goal involvements, he sits up there with some of the best players in the division, so he deservedly takes home that accolade.”
Collins beat former Gas striker Victor Adeboyejo, now of Burton Albion, Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan and Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Mike Cooper to the award, and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes it was the Welshman's role in an impressive month for Rovers that put him above the rest.
"Bristol Rovers picked up some important points last month and Aaron Collins was very much at the heart of their resistance," Goodman said. "The striker continued his terrific form this season with a trio of strikes and as many assists, but his off-the-ball play was just as vital for Joey Barton’s side.”
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