Sky Bet Championship: Sabri Lamouchi (Nottingham Forest)
Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for September.
Lamouchi has made Forest hard to beat and added two more clean sheets, which set the foundations for 1-0 wins over Swansea and Barnsley.
The resilience he has instilled was shown in the 3-2 win at Stoke, adding up to a perfect nine points from nine.
Lamouchi said: "I am very proud and happy because what we have done in September was just amazing. Thank you to the club, to the fans for your support and of course the staff, but the players because they make the difference and they did a great job.
"We had three games in September but in the last six games we took 16 points, this is not nothing; it is amazing. Now we need to keep going and keep working to keep this rhythm.
"We know it is very difficult but we have given the players a lot of rest as they deserved it, but now we will start again and focus on Wigan, Hull, Reading, Luton and then the most important game for the fans against Derby.
"It is a good moment and we will enjoy it but we know the trip is long and tough. We know that we will face some bad moments but we have to keep working. We will enjoy now because what is done is done, and now we will focus on the future and that is Wigan away."
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Sabri has turned the fortunes around at Forest. After a decent start to his tenure, Forest look like a team that could challenge for one of the top six places come April, if this form continues.
“Impressive away wins at Swansea and Stoke and nine points from the three games in September has given Forest fans a belief that good times may be on the horizon once again.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Forest managers have struggled to reach the levels their fans expect of them for some time, but in Sabri Lamouchi, they finally have someone who looks capable of bringing the good times back to the City Ground.
“Given a full close season with the squad, the Frenchman has brought pride and passion back and has Forest in an unfamiliar position, fighting at the top end of the table.’’
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Lamouchi guided his Nottingham Forest team to three wins from three in September to leave Forest sitting joint top of the Championship.
“Forest were 13/2 for promotion at the start of the season, but they’re now into 9/2 to end an over 20-year wait to get back in the Premier League.”
Sky Bet League One: Joey Barton (Fleetwood Town)
Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for September.
It was a free-scoring month for Fleetwood, with their ten points from four unbeaten games matched by ten goals, three in each of the away games at Southend and Shrewsbury.
Barton has bedded in his summer recruits impressively.
Barton said: “It’s really nice that we get outside recognition for the work that we have done. The players have been tremendous this season, and this award is for all our staff who work hard every day across all our departments.
“I think the award is a big vindication for all of the work that everybody has done and I collect this for everybody at the football club.”
“There is a lot of trust in the environment, and everybody feels that they have a role to play, from the kitchen staff, to the people who do the grass, to the laundry room, everything.
“It’s a really unique club at this moment and I proud to be head coach at Fleetwood Town.”
Danny Wilson added: “Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton and his players have really enjoyed this period of the season.
Ten points from four games in September and 10 goals scored has propelled them into third place and with confidence high, they will hope to keep the pressure on their promotion rivals in League One.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “The squad that Barton has built this season at Fleetwood has all the makings of a solid League One outfit capable of challenging for promotion.
“The proven talent of Paddy Madden, Josh Morris and Ched Evans gave Fleetwood the edge throughout September, as they climbed the table into the top two.”
Sky Bet League Two: Michael Duff (Cheltenham Town)
Cheltenham Town manager Michael Duff has been named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month for September.
The foundations Duff laid last season have been built on spectacularly so far this campaign.
Traditionally strong at home, it was their 2-0 victories at Salford and Plymouth which demonstrated his tactical nous, making 13 points from five games.
Duff said: “The staff are only a reflection of what the players do. It's obviously a nice award but it's more for the whole club really because the board, the staff, the supporters, the players - and I've always said it - if the team on the pitch are doing well and winning, we all win.
“It is a nice award to win but I think it is more a sign of recognition that other people outside of Cheltenham are starting to recognise the work that has been going on for a long time."
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “What a great September for Michael Duff and his Cheltenham troops. Thirteen points from a possible 15 has lifted Cheltenham into third place from a mid-table position in August.
“Goals have been plentiful and their strong home record suggests Michael’s team will be tough to shake off as the season progresses.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “The goals were flowing home and away in September for Duff, with five and six-goal thrillers against Bradford and Stevenage the highlights.
“Even more impressive was the way in which his side shared the goals out between them, with seven different goalscorers notching in September.”
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.