Matt O’Riley has been named the EFL’s Young Player of the Month for November.
The award is given to the EFL’s standout performer, who is under the age 21 or who has turned 21 during the season.
O’Riley enjoyed an excellent month in the heart of the MK Dons midfield, helping the team secure nine points from a possible 12 by scoring two goals and providing two assists.
He becomes only the fifth MK Dons man to win the EFL Young Player of the Month award, following on from Sam Baldock, Patrick Bamford, Dele Alli and, most recently, Callum Brittain.
“It’s the first time I’ve won it so it’s a new experience in that sense but a nice one,” he said after receiving the honour. “Hopefully there’s more to come in the future.
“At the start of the season, I was playing a bit deeper and trying to dictate the game in terms of my position, whereas in November I was playing a bit higher up. In the sense of goals and assists, it was probably a bit easier for me to contribute and stand out.
“At Morecambe the other week, I was playing a bit higher up so I was getting into positions that I wouldn’t usually get into. It’s always nice to score but I’m not someone that prides my game purely on goals - I like to run a game in terms of passes and all of that kind of stuff.
He continued: “I’m just very grateful to be a part of a proper team. There are no egos in the squad, no cliques and everyone’s a real tight unit and that definitely helps me on the pitch.”
