The January nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award are:
Steve Bruce (Aston Villa)
Never one to worry about the doubters, his tactical nous and organisational skills helped Villa land a maximum 12-point haul from four games and move up to third in the Championship, conceding just a single goal in the process.
Steve Cotterill (Birmingham City)
His reign at St Andrew’s has been painful so far and never has his ebullience and self-confidence been more fiercely tested. Seven points from four games to move out of the bottom three say that he is winning the battle.
Daniel Farke (Norwich City)
His safety-first approach is beginning to reap its reward in points – nine from a possible 12 in January – and lift Norwich towards the play-offs. Most impressive was their away form, with victories at Bristol City and Brentford.
Slavisa Jokanovic (Fulham)
A perfect January for his side in which they swept aside Ipswich and Burton at Craven Cottage and ground out important away wins at Middlesbrough and Barnsley to climb into the play-off places with a 14-2 goal differential.
The winner will be announced on Friday 9th February.
The judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman; EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL Trader Mikey Mumford.