The August winners for the Sky Bet League One Player and Manager of the Month award are...
Manager: Paul Lambert (Ipswich Town)
Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for August.
Turning around a losing mentality isn’t easy. Ipswich won just five games last season, yet they managed four victories in an unbeaten August following relegation and picked up 14 points.
Lambert’s faith in his players is catching.
Lambert said: “It’s great to receive the award but it’s a collective for everyone involved.
“From the time I came here, the support behind me from the staff I brought in to the people who I have inherited has been fantastic.
“The players are performing every week and when they do that, you get the plaudits.”
Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Paul Lambert has put together a very well balanced team after the upheaval of last season and has managed to get the players to ‘click into form' from the off which is never easy. Paul is a very successful and experienced manager who will no doubt have Ipswich as a promotion contender in the months ahead..”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It’s no easy feat to turn around a relegated team’s fortunes so quickly into a new season, as many a relegated team have found but Lambert has got the team winning games again, despite some tough August fixtures.
“Especially encouraging will be the way James Norwood has settled into his new side, linking up with striker partner Kayden Jackson, scoring goals aplenty.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “The Tractor Boys are unbeaten so far this season and after a solid start under Lambert have confirmed their position as one of the favourites to get back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
“They are currently 13/8 second favourites - behind Sunderland - for promotion having been a 2/1 shot before the season started.”
Player: Marcus Maddison (Peterborough United)
Peterborough midfielder Marcus Maddison has been named the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for August.
August brought three goals and six assists for the mercurial midfielder.
Maddison improved as the month went on to the point where he was virtually unplayable in a new central role against MK Dons and Sunderland, against both of whom he scored stunning free-kicks.
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson said: “It is a well-deserved award, six assists and three goals represents a good month.
“We are delighted for him, he has continued from the end of last season where he was winning us games, he has added goals to his assists, his work ethic is excellent and is in a good place at the minute.
“He is showing really consistent performances and long may that continue.”
Maddison said: “It is an award that I haven’t won before, so I am really happy that I have been given this award.
“It does mean a lot. I have had a good start to the season, I have belief in my team-mates, the manager has been brilliant with me and I would say I am not really at full fitness yet, so to win the award off the back of that, is great. Hopefully I can continue my form and the team can carry that form forward.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “One of the EFL’s most skilful players is off to a flying start in the league, playing a pivotal role in blowing MK Dons and Sunderland away at the end of August.
“As Marcus comes into the peak years of his career, everyone associated with Peterborough will be hoping he can keep this rich vein of form going and drive them towards a promotion push.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “The Peterborough midfielder has been in great form this month, playing a part in nine goals.
“Posh were well backed for promotion in pre-season, but didn’t start too well, before winning their last three games in convincing fashion.
“Maddison has been turning in some sublime performances, most notably against Sunderland and MK Dons and Posh now sit in ninth place, 7/2 to be promoted.”