Forest Green Rovers striker Christian Doidge has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for November.
There were six goals in four games – all but one of Forest Green’s total in November - for the goal poacher extraordinaire. Those who think of the 6ft 2in forward as simply good in the air should think again; only one of his goals was a header.
Forest Green manager Mark Cooper said: “It’s a fantastic accolade for Christian to achieve and great for the club. He has picked up where he left off last season and has been in fine form of late.
“His goal against Stevenage sparked the run he is on at the moment and I don’t think he has looked back. We spoke before that game and I remember telling him that he was going to score. We spoke and I said he needed to be more unselfish and get into the box and he has done that and taken his chances when they have come along.”
Doidge said: “It feels great, it’s an award over a lot of good players and so it’s an honour to win it. I didn’t think I’d ever get my hands on one so I’m really happy.
“I’ve been having a lot more opportunities at goal and I’ve had Keanu Marsh-Brown and the others setting me up quite a bit so credit to them, because without them I wouldn’t be able to score any.
“I had a little spell where I didn’t score a lot of goals and there was quite a bit of pressure on me because we were struggling with results, but it’s picked up now and I’m enjoying the pressure — it shows I can play under those sorts of circumstances.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “For a team spending their first season in the EFL, it’s so important to have a hitman capable of hitting the back of the net on a regular basis. Doidge struggled for goals early on but is really hitting his stride now.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “You’ll be hard pressed to find a better in-form striker in League Two than Christian Doidge at the moment. The Welshman has almost singlehandedly put breathing space between Forest Green and the relegation places with six goals in the month taking his tally to 11 for the campaign.
“He’s certainly proving he belongs at this level after taking the National League by storm last season and his goals are likely to be the difference between the EFL newcomers staying in the division.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.