Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for October.
Cook led his side through an unbeaten October, collecting 11 points from 15 along the way. Allied to their attractive passing style, the away wins at Scunthorpe and Blackpool also demonstrated his team’s willingness to battle.
Cook said: "I’m delighted to be awarded the Manager of the Month, it’s a great accolade not only for the manager, it’s a club award.
“Our success is down to repetition on the training ground and going onto the pitch knowing your jobs and believing in what you’re doing, and hopefully, even when you have setbacks - we went a goal down at Blackpool early on in the game – you’re believing in what you’re doing, which will see you home.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: “It has been another good month for Wigan, taking 11 points from 15 and remaining unbeaten in October.
“Paul believes in his team playing attractive, positive football and it’s certainly working well. They also demonstrated their battling skills with two good away wins at Scunthorpe and Blackpool.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Hopes were high at Wigan when they were promoted under Gary Caldwell in 2016, but a disappointing campaign last season saw them back to square one in League One.
“It was important for Cook to come in and get off to a decent start, which is exactly what has happened and it’s not lost on me that many managers are now hailing Wigan as the most complete team in the division. October has given them a great platform for the rest of the season.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford said: “On his arrival Cook spoke about the exciting challenge at Wigan and how his new side must start the season strongly if they were to launch a serious attempt at a return to the Championship.
“His side must have listened to every word because the Latics have made a blistering start to the campaign and an unbeaten October which included three victories has seen them narrow the gap to leaders Shrewsbury to one point.
“Cook’s track record of taking clubs forward, as he did with Chesterfield and Portsmouth, can only strengthen Wigan’s case for an immediate return to the second tier.”
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL trader Mikey Mumford.