It may have gone almost unnoticed but Steve Cook picked up the player of the month award for October after beating off stiff competition from Asmir Begovic, Lewis Cook and Diego Rico. The captain has formed a good defensive wall with Lloyd Kelly and Chris Mepham and he'll be fairly pleased that Bournemouth have moved to fourth in the table just a couple of points behind Reading who Bouremnouth play next.
It hasn't been quite so great for Steve in November when he began the month being sent off against Sheffield Wednesday, but I felt he was unlucky with his challenge in the box on that day. We want Cook to be a strong player for the team and he has been central to Bournemouth looking more disciplined in defence this season. He does make the odd mistake, but since Aké has gone he has really taken on the mantle of Bournemouth's most experienced defender and seems to want the responsibility for making match-saving tackles.
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His best moment this season was probably his face save on the line against Derby County. It earned the Cherries a point in a game that they could well have lost late on and that point keeps the Cherries on the tail of the leaders, as we get the first quarter of the season behind us. While Steve has a habit of putting his hands in the way and concedes the odd penalty or two, he has been the defender that has looked most assured this season for me.
He may not have been lucky enough to get an international cap but his leadership has been great for Bournemouth with so many of the club's players leaving in the summer. Steve Cook is probably going to be carried out of the club as he seems to carry all its troubles on his sleeves when he is out there – you can see it in his interviews and the way he always looks so disappointed when things don't go well for AFCB. I am pleased he has picked up a player of the month award and it is good to see the defenders get a bit of recognition.
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