The winners of the Sky Bet Championship Manager and Player of the Month Awards for October are as follows:
Manager of the Month: Danny Cowley, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town manager Danny Cowley has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for October.
Any doubts that he could gain the respect of highly paid Championship players and instil his methods were swept away as Huddersfield gained 11 points from five unbeaten games, re-connected with their fans and moved out of the bottom three.
Cowley said: “I’m happy to accept this award on behalf of every member of staff and every player at Huddersfield Town, because our form over October is down to an incredible team effort.
“When Nicky and I arrived at the club, we found a superb set of skilled, dedicated people who have a deep care for Huddersfield Town and this run of form is down to their hard work and dedication.
“Equally, the players deserve so much credit too. Their attitude and application has been good and we’ve enjoyed their full commitment. We’re all humble enough to know that we are still a work in progress and there is a lot more work to do, but we’re looking forward to the hard work in front of us."
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Danny Cowley has certainly turned the Terriers’ fortunes around since his arrival in September.
“Sitting with only two points in early October and entrenched in the bottom three of the Championship, things looked rather gloomy, but Danny and his team have instilled confidence and discipline to the squad and an 11 points return took them out of the relegation places.
“There’s still a long way to go, but the green shoots are there to be seen and there’s an onwards and upwards mentality from the Huddersfield faithful.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “The Cowley brothers’ record of sustained success continues at Huddersfield, but should we really be surprised?
“From Concord Rangers to Braintree and Lincoln, they have improved performances, consistency of results and previous seasons’ league positions wherever they have managed.
“The man management skills and dedication that the pair bring will be a surprise to no-one but what may surprise some, is the speed in which they’ve instigated the turnaround of fortunes at Huddersfield, taking them from candidates for relegation to mid table in just over a month.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “No other club in the Championship gained more points in October than Danny Cowley’s Huddersfield side.
“The former Lincoln manager has turned things around at the John Smith’s stadium and The Terriers’ record last month saw them ease away from the bottom of the table.
“At the start of the month they were as short as 5/4 for relegation and are now as big as 7/2 with Sky Bet. They are nine points off the Play-Off places and as big as 20/1 to finish in the top six.”
Player of the Month: Aleksander Mitrovic, Fulham
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.
A hungry, aggressive striker in supreme form. Six goals in five games for Fulham (and another two for Serbia) included a poacher’s hat-trick against Luton and the cheekiest of finishes to rescue a London derby point against Charlton.
Fulham manager Scott Parker said: “I’m am delighted that Aleksandar has received recognition with this award for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for October.
“He continues to work hard in training each day. While he deserves this award on a personal level, I know he’d be the first to recognise the contribution of his teammates.”
Mitrovic said: “It’s always nice when you win personal awards. It means that I did something right, that the team did something right as well, so it’s a nice feeling.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “No player has won this award more than Mitrovic’s three in the past six seasons, a reflection of his guaranteed quality and, more importantly, goals, at this level.
“October was one of those run of games when Mitrovic was unplayable, notching six goals in four games. It’s clear that if Fulham are to do the business this season then “Mitro” will be absolutely central.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Mitrovic continues to prove that he is a cut above rest in the Sky Bet Championship.
“The Serbian striker netted six goals in five games for Fulham and he is now as short as 6/4 (from 7/1 at the start of the season) to finish the season as top goalscorer.
“He currently sits a goal clear of Brentford’s Ollie Watkins in first place in the scoring charts and although Fulham have stuttered a bit in recent games, we expect Mitrovic to fire the Cottagers back into automatic promotion contention before too long.”
